GVSU School of Social Work

Join us tomorrow, December 9th at the Grand Rapids Public Library for our final Social Justice Begins with ME! event for the Fall 2023 program. The event is free to attend and no sign-up is needed. Come to the Youth Services Area on the second floor for a live reading, discussion, and snacks!

Thank you to GVSU Alternative Breaks for sharing this amazing volunteer opportunity for all students as the holidays are approaching! If you are looking to help out in your community and love working with children, join other students at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum in helping children decorate and wrap magnets. Check out their page for more information

It’s almost time for our November Social Justice Begins with ME! Program! Kids ages 4-11 and their caregivers are welcome to come to this program to join in on meaningful discussions about gender equity and removing barriers based on gender. No registration or payment needed, just come to the Youth Services area to be directed to your age group 📙🍁🦃

November is Native American Heritage Month. This graphic commemorates the contributions of Native Americans to the construction of nearly all of New York's famous architecture.

President Biden made a proclamation honoring the Native American population at the start of this month:

"Despite centuries of violence and oppression, Native peoples remain resilient and proud. Today, Native Americans are essential to the fabric of the United States. They serve in the United States armed forces at higher rates than any other ethnic group. [...] They continue to steward so many of our great lands. Their contributions to science, humanities, arts, public service, and more have brought prosperity for all of us. Their diverse cultures and communities continue to thrive and lead us forward."

During this month, take time to learn more about Native American cultural traditions and celebrate the tribes who lived on this land long before it was taken from them.

(Image and quote sourced from the US Department of Defense)

We are looking forward to our October 21st Social Justice Begins With Me! program. If you have any children that would be interested in this event, we welcome you to join us and see what the program is all about. This month we will be discussing disability rights and reading books with narratives of belonging and inclusion. There will also be ASL interpreters so everyone can enjoy the stories just as they are. The address for the event is 111 Library St. NE. We hope to see you there!

Your mental health is as important as your physical health.

💚❤

This Monday is Indigenous People’s Day! On this day we celebrate the history and culture of Native Americans as well as their resilience in the face of oppression for hundreds of years.

Cheers to unity and diversity. 🎉

Looking for a fun weekend activity to do with the children in your life? Join us tomorrow morning at the Grand Rapids Public Library for an engaging event where we will be reading books about Racial Justice and facilitating discussions around the topic in an age-appropriate way. We will also have ASL interpreters at the event to provide a more inclusive environment for all children!

Thank you to all of our students in SW 629: Communities and Organizations for participating in a class evaluation exercise at the Fulton Street Farmer’s Market this weekend! We love seeing our students helping the community!

¡Hoy es el primer día del Mes de la Herencia Hispana en los Estados Unidos! Aquí tenemos más información sobre la celebración y otras fechas importantes durante este mes.

Today is the first day of Hispanic Heritage month in the United States! Here’s some more information about the celebration and other important upcoming dates this month

Happy first week of classes! Here are two upcoming events on the Allendale campus this week:

TONIGHT from 3-6pm at the Kirkhof East Lawn: The Rainbow Social presented by the GVSU LGBTQ Resource Center. There will be a drag performance from 4:30-5:30 pm, as well as a buffet, games, and a scavenger hunt

Tuesday September 5th in Kirkhof Center Room 73: First workshop presented by the GVSU Gayle R. Davis Center for Women & Gender Equity for more information about the SNAP program. The workshop will have several dates throughout the semester, so if you are unavailable for this one and would like to attend another day, please see the post for more information!

“The larger gaps for most women of color reflect a combination of factors, including segregation into occupations in fields, such as the services sector, where they experience too little upward mobility; overconcentration in the lowest-paying jobs, such as cashiers and care workers; and the combined effects of gender, race, and ethnic biases devaluing their work and economic contributions.”- Center for American Progress

August 3rd is Black Women's Equal Pay Day. We hope to raise awareness to these issues to eliminate the gap and provide a better quality of life for all women of color.



Infographics from the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls

Tomorrow is ADA and Disability Independence Day. Here is some more information about this day and ideas to celebrate!

Tomorrow is International Non-Binary People's Day. Here is some more information on why we celebrate on this day and what the term non-binary means. We celebrate and respect gender identity of all kinds on this day and every other day. Join us in raising awareness of this day by sharing this post with others!

As Immigrant Heritage Month comes to a close and we approach the holiday weekend, we celebrate those who have fought to come to this country and we welcome them with open arms. We continue to support and advocate for policy reform that makes America a safer place for refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers with equal opportunities, regardless of citizenship status.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness month. Follow these tips to become more aware of brain healthy practices that can help your brain combat dementia later in life. Follow The Women's Alzheimer's Movement - WAM and Alzheimer's Association for more information on Alzheimer’s and brain health

Aquí hay algunos materiales para proveer educación y conciencia sobre términos y problemas relacionado con la comunidad LGBTQIIA+

Partners in Prevention

Here are some materials to provide education and awareness about the terms and problems related to the LGBTQIIA+ community

Partners in Prevention

Here is a list of pride parades taking place this month in big cities around the state. For more city events and parades that take place after June, visit pridesource.com. Happy pride month! We celebrate and show our support for the LGBTQIA+ community not only this month, but all year round.

May is the month dedicated to celebrating and learning about Haitian heritage and culture. May 18th marks Haitian Flag Day and celebrates their independence as a country. Take some time to research more about this culture and its inspiring resilience in the wake of the 2010 earthquake.

Support these small, asian american and pacific islander owned businesses in Grand Rapids this month and every month! Grand Vin Kaffeine Place GR Monsoon Vietnamese Cuisine AtoSushi RC Caylan

Mayo es el mes de la concientización sobre salud mental. Apreciamos todos trabajadores sociales y otros profesionales que trabajan para combatir enfermedad mental cada día. Crédito a NAMI por los datos

May is mental health awareness month. We appreciate all social workers and professionals who work to combat mental illness every day. Statistic content credit to NAMI

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Celebrate by attending these events hosted by the Grand Rapids Public Library and sign up for the Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Festival from June 9-11

Here’s some tips for managing finals week stress. Comment some of your favorite ways to take care of yourself during finals and have a great week!

April is Autism Awareness Month. Social workers play an important role in providing advocacy and services for those who are on the spectrum. Check out these resources for more information!

Please join us this evening from 4-7:30pm for the Civic Engagement Showcase hosted by the GVSU Office of Civic Learning and Community Engagement Stop by our table for Social Justice Begins With ME! to learn more about how our program helps the Grand Rapids community