On March 1, Nacogdoches County Commissioner Robin Dawley presented a proclamation declaring the month of March as Social Work Month at Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Social Work. Throughout the month, faculty, staff and students will participate in activities while celebrating the profession with social workers across the globe. This year, the theme is “Social Work Breaks Barriers.”

Student advocates for social workers

“In light of COVID-19, I’ve had the opportunity to advocate to local representatives and the executive director of the National Association of Social Workers Board for social workers who have just graduated and apply to take the licensure exam to be granted a temporary six month license,” said Makenzie Banks, Master of Social Work student. “This would enable them to be able to practice, and now more than ever, we need social workers to help.”

WILMA CORDOVA EMPOWERS STUDENTS TO EMPOWER OTHERS.

SFA professor Wilma Cordova believes social work is a calling. She guides her students through rigorous research, fieldwork and role-playing exercises to prepare them for careers as advocates for equality and social justice.

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FINDING GRANTS, FULFILLING NEEDS

Social work students helped secure grants for C&R Kuttbottle Inc., a local nonprofit that recycles and repurposes glass. Students identified a need within the nonprofit and wrote a full grant proposal designed to address it.

As a result of the project, one grant application from the Wal-Mart Foundation for $5,000 is pending approval.