Social Work News
Social work alumna realizes passion for mentorship at the Syracuse City Schools
Social Work alumna Melissa Mendez ’16, G’17 was recently highlighted by the Syracuse City School District, where she is currently employed as a social worker at the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central. Mendez worked as a hairstylist before realizing her vision to become a social worker for the SCDS. Today, she gives high school students the mentorship and encouragement she wished she had received when she was a SCSD student. “I knew I wanted to make an impact,” Mendez tells the SCSD. “This [the Syracuse city schools] is where I come from. Now, I feel like I get to make a difference.”
At the SCSD, Mendez meets with students to help them flesh out and plan for their long-term goals. Mendez tells SCSD that honesty and planning are her two focus areas when advising students, helping them envision the pathway to achieving their goals. “Everyone’s path can be different. They don’t have to be in a box to be successful… they can be who they are,” Mendez says in the SDCD highlight. In addition to advising, she also organizes group activities where students meet together and share their personal experiences, build relationships and grow.
“I may be older, but I’m still relatable to them,” Mendez tells the SCSD. “I look like some of them. I grew up where they did and in similar circumstances. Sometimes, students will say, ‘You don’t understand me.’ I rattle off ten stories about how I really do. I want them to know that there’s nothing wrong from coming from this – from Syracuse and the city schools. They’re all powerful and they can get through whatever they’re going through!”
Catherine Falk to speak at Falk College April 17
Catherine Falk, MA, pioneer of the wards’ right of association bill named after her late father, Maxwell School alumnus, Peter Falk ’53 (M.P.A.), will speak at Syracuse University’s Falk College on Monday, April 17. An advocate for elder abuse prevention, guardianship reform and disability rights drafting and lobbying legislation for rights of association for those experiencing isolation in a guardianship/conservatorship, Catherine Falk continues to lobby for family rights legislation nationally. The Peter Falk Bill was drafted in 2011 in California, which Catherine took to her father’s home state of New York where it was sponsored and passed with support of Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli.
Known for his starring role in the popular television show, Columbo, Peter Falk was at the center of a court battle in 2009 when his daughter, Catherine, filed for conservatorship after her stepmother did not allow contact or visitation with the ailing 81-year-old actor. Catherine Falk’s advocacy since that time has created Peter Falk’s Law in many states, including New York, which provides protection for adults in guardianship/conservatorship who are wrongfully isolated from family and friends and denied visitation, information, and contact.
Her presentation will include perspectives from Catherine Falk Organization advocates, Sara Harvey and Janie Price. To learn more about their work, visit catherinefalkorganization.org.
Broadway, Ryans Receive Social Justice Awards at March 6 Program
In commemoration of National Professional Social Work Month during March, the School of Social Work in Falk College presented its annual Dan and Mary Lou Rubenstein Social Justice Award program on Monday, March 6 at 6:45 p.m. in Heroy Auditorium. The event included a keynote address by Beth Broadway entitled, “Building Bridges of Understanding in a Divided Time—Challenges Facing Immigrants and Refugees, and How Our Community Can Help.”
Broadway is the president and CEO of InterFaith Works of CNY who, along with Clifford Ryans, founder, O.G.’s Against Gun Violence, were both honored that evening with 2017 Dan and Mary Lou Rubenstein Social Justice Awards for their respective demonstrated commitments to service and social justice in the Syracuse community. Presented for more than 30 years, the Rubenstein Social Justice Award is given in honor of the late professor Dan Rubenstein, a former faculty member in the School of Social Work and his late wife, Mary Lou, a former school social worker.
Broadway leads programs at InterFaith Works that use service, education, and dialogue to build bridges in a divided world and to provide comfort to frail elderly people, job opportunities to healthy seniors, refugee resettlement, chaplains in the jails, hospitals, and nursing homes, and dialogues between people of different backgrounds. She previously led the Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism and is the designer and facilitator of The Leadership Classroom that trains and equips individuals to improve city neighborhoods.
Clifford Ryans founded O.G.’s Against Gun Violence to help reduce community violence. He works tirelessly to educate young children about the perils of the violence, guns and gangs through presentations at schools, local events, and rallies. With a deep commitment and courage driven by his personal experience of losing a son to gun violence, Ryans shared his experiences as a featured panelist at the School of Social Work’s James L. Stone Annual Legislative Policy Symposium that focused on gun violence as it relates to trauma, community relations and racial justice.
Broadway, Ryans to Receive Social Justice Awards at March 6 Program
In commemoration of National Professional Social Work Month during March, the School of Social Work in Falk College will present its annual Dan and Mary Lou Rubenstein Social Justice Award program on Monday, March 6 at 6:45 p.m. in Heroy Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public, and will include a keynote address by Beth Broadway entitled, “Building Bridges of Understanding in a Divided Time—Challenges Facing Immigrants and Refugees, and How Our Community Can Help.”
Broadway is the president and CEO of InterFaith Works of CNY who, along with Clifford Ryans, founder, O.G.’s Against Gun Violence, will be honored that evening with 2017 Dan and Mary Lou Rubenstein Social Justice Awards for their respective demonstrated commitments to service and social justice in the Syracuse community. Presented for more than 30 years, the Rubenstein Social Justice Award is given in honor of the late professor Dan Rubenstein, a former faculty member in the School of Social Work and his late wife, Mary Lou, a former school social worker.
Broadway leads programs at InterFaith Works that use service, education, and dialogue to build bridges in a divided world and to provide comfort to frail elderly people, job opportunities to healthy seniors, refugee resettlement, chaplains in the jails, hospitals, and nursing homes, and dialogues between people of different backgrounds. She previously led the Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism and is the designer and facilitator of The Leadership Classroom that trains and equips individuals to improve city neighborhoods.
Clifford Ryans founded O.G.’s Against Gun Violence to help reduce community violence. He works tirelessly to educate young children about the perils of the violence, guns and gangs through presentations at schools, local events, and rallies. With a deep commitment and courage driven by his personal experience of losing a son to gun violence, Ryans shared his experiences as a featured panelist at the School of Social Work’s James L. Stone Annual Legislative Policy Symposium that focused on gun violence as it relates to trauma, community relations and racial justice.
Freshman empowers young girls through Straighten Your Crown
By Caroline Schagrin, staff writer. Courtesy of The Daily Orange.
Once a week, Maddy Oliva goes to Clary Middle School to talk about women empowerment.
Oliva, a freshman social work major, works with the Syracuse University organization Straighten Your Crown, where she acts as a mentor for elementary and middle school age girls in the city of Syracuse.
“(The school) doesn’t really have a great teaching system. A lot of time, no one is there to listen to (the girls), and hear why they’re upset,” Oliva said. “We’re there to let them vent. We try to let them do fun stuff to get their mind off whatever is going on in the school day.”
The girls often resort to fighting, so Straighten Your Crown works with them throughout the semester to help them find similarities between each other and learn ways to effectively communicate how they’re feeling. Many of them don’t have a strong support system or source of encouragement.
“One of the most rewarding parts of working with them — when asking the same girls what they want to be when they grow up, they respond, ‘I want to be a doctor.’ It’s really cute seeing the progress that they make,” Oliva said.
Oliva said she loves talking with people and making sure they have the power to speak their mind. She is hoping to become a therapist or a forensic social worker, which works with anything related to law and legal systems within social work such as deciding the rights of a child.
She explores her interest in working with individuals suffering from mental health problems through her work with SU Active Minds — a student organization devoted to raising mental health awareness among college students. Within the organization, mental health issues are discussed and its members work to end the stigmas surrounding mental illness.
They also work to encourage students to go to the counseling center if they need it.
Over the next three years, Oliva hopes to continue getting involved with the campus and city community. She joined the Alpha Xi Delta sorority this semester and is looking forward to participating in its Autism Speaks philanthropy.
Research training program for veterans now accepting applications
To improve access to undergraduate research experiences in the area of trauma for groups typically underrepresented in this research, including veterans, a collaborative venture between Syracuse University’s Falk College, SUNY Oswego, and SUNY Upstate Medical University is now recruiting students for its 2017 program June 5-29 on the Syracuse campus.
The Undergraduate Trauma Research Training program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Education for Undergraduates (REU) opportunity directed by Brooks B. Gump, Ph.D., MPH, Falk Family Endowed Professor of Public Health, and co-directed by Karen Wolford, Ph.D., Professor Department of Psychology and Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate Program in Trauma Studies at SUNY Oswego and includes other faculty from these institutions as well as SUNY Upstate Medical University. This program brings together veterans and non-veterans in a safe environment to pursue trauma research activities.
This month-long immersion program involves coursework, mentored student-faculty interactions, and the development of a research project. Participating students receive a $3,000 stipend for attending the summer session. Room and board are provided free of charge, as needed.
The program, now in its sixth year, draws on personal experiences of veterans who understand the nature and context of traumatic events. By gaining a scientific understanding of trauma, students who complete the program gain essential tools they can use to improve the quality of life for themselves and others, including veterans. Read more about one REU participant’s experience here.
The program is purposefully structured to span one full year. Following the summer program, students continue their research under the mentorship of REU faculty during the Fall semester. Finally, students are expected to present their research at a national conference in Spring, 2018. The travel and registration expense for the conference is provided to the student through this program. For more information about the program, and to submit application for it, click here to go to the Syracuse University REU website or contact Ivan Castro at iecastro@syr.edu. The application deadline has been extended to March 14, 2017.
Students, faculty, staff participate in Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the School of Social Work in Falk College, the Syracuse University community was invited to participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 16 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Syracuse Model Neighborhood Association and the Rescue Mission. More than 60 volunteers from Falk College and all across the Syracuse University campus sorted and packed boxes of clothing, prepared sandwiches for delivery to the Samaritan Center, and assisted with special kitchen and office projects.
“In celebration of our 60th anniversary, we thought it was fitting to engage in service activity on a day that most people view as a day off. Our Day of Service was instead a ‘day on,’ allowing students, faculty, and staff to engage with the greater community in a way that was meaningful, tangible, and fits with the philosophy of Dr. King,” says Professor Keith A. Alford, School of Social Work chair and graduate program director. “For our students, this event brought into focus that academe is more than laptops, lectures, and exams. Without a doubt, our students saw the significance of believing in the dignity and worth of humankind. This is a core value of the social work profession that our program instills in its courses and field work.”
As part of the Day of Service efforts organized by the School of Social Work and Falk College in collaboration with the Greater Syracuse Labor Council/AFL-CIO and the United Way of CNY, a donation drive also took place. Donations of winter coats, jackets, warm blankets, non-perishable food, formula and diapers were collected.
“The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a day meant to move us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community” says Deborah Ducett, director of field instruction in the School of Social Work and one of the event organizers.
Falk student-athlete Justyn Knight finds connections in social work and sports
Social work student Justyn Knight ’18 is noticing what it takes to work in the helping professions. By learning about others, and about himself, Knight says he is feeding his passion for lifting others up. “The thing I enjoy most about social work is helping others achieve the goals they set out for themselves,” he says. “Sometimes all people need is some guidance to help them get on the right track.”
Knight is used to giving others encouragement as a student-athlete on the Syracuse University men’s cross country team. This season, Knight was honored with the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Male Performer of the Year honor for cross country for the second year in a row. His near-perfect season consisted of win after win, aside from one second-place finish. The team took home the national title. This year, they finished third.
Knight says the skills he’s learning in the classroom have made him a better leader for the team. “Social work has taught me how to accommodate everyone’s individual needs to help them get the leadership and encouragement they need.”
“The School of Social Work is proud of Justyn. He is most deserving of this athletic honor,” says Director of the School of Social Work Keith Alford, Ph.D., A.C.S.W. “Social work is a profession that promotes the worth and dignity of all humankind. It is not surprising that Justyn has effectively parlayed his social work acumen to his athletic network. He is an outstanding team leader, builder, and player. This is a winning combination on and off the field!”
After graduation, Knight hopes to become a guidance counselor in the educational environment.
Social work students explore gun violence at James L. Stone Legislative Policy Forum
Students in Syracuse University’s School of Social Work in Falk College recently explored one of the most complex and difficult issues in America today: the unsettling interactions between gun violence, community relations, trauma and racial justice. With a focus on implications for public policy, community responses, and social work practice, the 18th Annual James L. Stone Legislative Policy Forum brought students together with neighborhood, community and political leaders, and other experts to discuss the trauma, pain, and disruption of gun violence, and what is being, and should be, done to address this issue.
“As social workers, we understand that the reality of gun violence in our society cannot be ignored. It is a major issue that is fraught with competing elements. The unthinkable trauma experienced by children, mothers, fathers, and community members, in general, must be acknowledged and treated,” says Keith A. Alford, associate professor, School of Social Work chair and graduate program director. “As a society and even as a local community, we must sadly recognize, not always in an accusatory way, that certain communities have been marginalized and in many cases, forgotten. Proactively addressing rage resulting from feelings of powerlessness and igniting resilience will be crucial if we really want to see positive turnarounds. It is a collective matter that requires our full attention, compassion, sensitivity, and follow through. This is the clarion call we all must answer,” adds Alford.
Keynote speaker, David Alexander Bullock, presented, “The Crisis and Trauma of Gun Violence in the City.” Bullock is the pastor of the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church in Highland Park, MI, and founder of the Change Agent Consortium, a national coalition of faith, labor, civil rights organizations and active citizens committed to social change by combining the power of direct action, public policy, and local projects.
Of the event, MSW student Jen LoPiccolo noted, “as social work professionals, it’s imperative that we stay abreast of the political landscape paralleling our work. The Symposium provided an opportunity to listen to unwavering community leaders building an anti-violence movement and creating a space for student activists to contribute. As a native Detroiter, the issues of gun violence, racial justice, and community activism are personal and important to me. This was a humbling and invigorating day that challenged participants to ask themselves: how will I influence policy and be an agent for change?” Guest speakers and panelists included Pam Hunter, Assemblywoman, New York State Assembly, Timothy “Noble” Jennings-Bey, Founder and CEO, Street Addiction Institute, Inc., and Helen Hudson, Syracuse Common Councilor at Large and President Pro Tempore, among many other community leaders.
The day-long event, held at the Onondaga County Courthouse, was organized by Professor Kingson, in collaboration with Professors Keith Alford, Kenneth Corvo, Nancy Mudrick, Matthew Spitzmueller and other social work faculty, and MSW graduate assistant and conference coordinator, Jelilat Williams as well as Sandy Lane, a professor in Falk College’s public health program whose work has addressed the conference topic for more than a decade. School of Social Work alumnus, James L. Stone, MSW ’64 created an endowed fund to support this event into the future and was involved in this year’s event.
“Once again, the School of Social Work has brought together an informative panel of experts, law makers and committed community leaders who bring clarity, understanding, and passion to a significant issue that is relevant to social work practice and policy. We are indebted to James Stone for his generosity in endowing this event,” says Diane Lyden Murphy, Dean, Falk College.
Falk College has on-going collaborative efforts in the community to assist those impacted by violence. In addition to developing trauma-informed care programs in the community and preparing future practitioners in this area, including a Certificate of Advanced Study in trauma-informed practice, research and practice in the field of trauma are a focal point in Falk College.
YWCA Recognizes Two from University with ‘Spirit of American Women’ Honors
From Jaclyn D. Grosso with SU News.
Two Syracuse University leaders were honored at the YWCA of Syracuse and Onondaga County’s “Spirit of American Women” Awards on Nov. 3 at the Genesee Grande Hotel. Liz Liddy, dean of the School of Information Studies, and Tatiana Williams ’16 G’17, a student in Falk College’s M.S.W. program, were recognized for their advocacy and commitment to advance women in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, social justice and academic initiatives. The YWCA works to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families and strengthen the Syracuse community.
“Liz and Tatiana have forged new pathways for women through their commitment to STEM education and community service,” says Fanny Villarreal, executive director of the YWCA. “They are strong women who are not afraid to tackle real-world issues and work to solve problems of inequality that still exist in today’s society. We are fortunate to have them in our community.”
Liddy, who received the STEM Enrichment Award, founded and led a software startup company, TextWise, and as CEO grew it to 50 employees, winning the prestigious national Tibbetts Award from U.S. Small Business Administration. She was the founding director of the iSchool’s Center for Natural Language Processing, which advanced the development of human-like language understanding software capabilities for government, commercial, and consumer applications. The holder of eight software patents, Liddy has led 70 research projects, authored more than 110 research papers and given hundreds of conference presentations on her work. Liddy was also the founding faculty advisor of Women in Information Technology (WIT), a student group that supports and mentors female IT students.
Williams, who received the Volunteer of Excellence & Service Award, served as a class marshall at her 2016 Commencement, has dedicated much of her time to community service. She founded a nonprofit volunteer organization called Making a Difference for You (MAD4U) that supports teen moms, and also designed an interactive learning program on argumentation, debate and trial skills for youth in the City of Syracuse. Williams has also earned the Princeton Prize in Race Relations from Princeton University for her volunteer activity.
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