Volume 1 Issue 3 May 2015 The VSU Social Worker Page

LAMP wants you 2

Departmental Notes 2

Department Spotlight 2

Blazer Pantry 3

NASW Georgia Chapter 4

Fun Facts 4

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Special Dates of Interest:

GSWO Officer Elections end May 7th

Incoming MSW student Orientation~ August 1st

Advocacy & Riots Volume 1, Issue 3

May 2015

A dvocacy is defined by Merriam-Webster “as the act or process of

supporting a cause or proposal: the act or process of advocating something.” According to the Oxford English dic-tionary the word advocate was first recorded in the English language in the 1300s as a noun. The word stemmed from the French word avocat and be-fore that the Latin word advocatus. Advocatus means to be called to or summoned, or more specifically to come to someone’s aid in the court-room. This could mean the very first public advocacy program in the world involved the beginning of law and law-yers. Riots have revisited the United States.

A simple statement of an obvious so-

cial phenomena. Turn on the televi-

sion and you will hear stories of riots

on local stations as well as the national

news. Race riots have ‘returned’ to our

country. Before Baltimore (2015) and

Ferguson (2014) there was Los Angeles

(1992). Before Los Angeles there was

Crown Heights (1991), Martin Luther

King assassination (1968), Newark (1967), and Watts (1965). But Watts certainly was

not the beginning of racial tensions and revolt in the US. As far back as July 1919

racially impaired behavior by law enforcement have become the common thread that

runs through many, if not all, of the racially charged riots. Typically the laws favor

the majority ethnic culture, leaving the minority in a position to become oppressed.

As we reflect upon the events of April 17th on the campus of Valdosta State Univer-

sity, we find race at the core of the original demonstration. It is unfortunate that Mr.

Sheppard chose to walk on the flag to garner the attention of those who passed him.

It also got the attention of social media and ultimately of the national news. While

From the desk of

Dr. Miah

May is the month of

celebration, especially

for those who are

graduating with univer-

sity degrees this

month. VSU will gradu-

ate 38 students with an MSW degree from the

Department of Social Work who will soon enter

into professional fields of practice of their

choice and expertise. They are sure to make a

difference in their family, neighborhood, com-

munity, and the society. I am taking this oppor-

tunity to extend my heartiest congratulations

to our 2015 class of MSW graduates on behalf

of faculty, staff, and current students of the

Department of Social Work.

Best wishes to you all! ---Mizan M.

Val

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Un

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Dep

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of S

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Volume 1 Issue 3 May 2015 The VSU Social Worker Page 2

Department Spotlight The VSU Department of Social Work participates in the community in many ways that most people are not aware. One of

those sponsorships is My Friend's House and South Georgia CareNET. In response to the needs of the many caregivers in

our community, My Friend's House is dedicated to providing a safe environment for those who are impaired by Alzheimer's

Disease or a similar dementia. We strive to provide a cheerful, homelike place to help overcome isolation and to de-

lay nursing home confinement. To provide caregivers with education, support, peace of mind

and above all - some time for themselves. CARE-NET has as its mission to

find new and innovative ways of helping informal (lay/family) and

formal (professional) caregivers for persons with physical or men-

tal illnesses, difficulties of the frail elderly, developmental disabili-

ties, or those with substance abuse problems.

L.A.M.P. is looking for you!

L.A.M.P. stands for Lowndes Associated Ministries to People. Its services started in 1984. When the shelter first began it had 30 beds and has more than doubled in size to boast a total of 70 beds. LAMP/New Horizons is a diverse organization always seeking to improve services to their clients. LAMP is constantly seeking innovative ways to provide the best services to their clients and com-munity. LAMP/New Horizons Shelter has served over 50,500 meals in the shelter, and provided beds to over 14,500 homeless families in the Valdosta-Lowndes County community.

LAMP would love to have more students from the Valdosta State University’s Master of Social Work Program contribute to our mission of caring for the homeless and hurting members of our community. If you are open-minded, kind hearted, energetic, capable of working in a fast and slow paced environment with diverse clients then our site is definitely for you!

DONATION LIST: Bath Towels & Wash Towels, Sheets & Blankets, Toothpaste & Toothbrushes, Deodorant & Body Wash, Shampoo & Conditioner, Lady’s Socks & Underwear (variety of sizes), Toilet Paper, Feminine Sanitary Napkins/Tampons

If you travel and stay at hotels consider gathering the unused soap, shampoo, conditioner and whatever else you gather and donate it!

Check out LAMP

Departmental Notes….

Summer

Classes Begin Soon

Summer I ~ May 14th

Summer II & III ~ June 10th

Summer IV ~ July 7th

Volume 1 Issue 3 May 2015 The VSU Social Worker Page 3

Blazer Pantry

Advocacy & Riots, cont’d

The Division of Student Affairs launched the pantry in 2010 to serve hungry students who struggle to pay for food. They

are now able to receive assistance from the Blazer Pantry -- a food collection for students who qualify for nutritional assis-

tance. The Blazer Pantry is located in the Division of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Office on the third floor of

the Student Union. Students who want to receive assistance must not have a campus meal plan, be enrolled full time and

present a valid student identification card at pick-up. Students may access the service a maximum of once every two

weeks, unless deemed otherwise by the Blazer Pantry Director. Any personal information is used for organizational pur-

poses only and kept strictly confidential. The pantry is designed to be a private service. If you need assistance or know of

a student in need, contact the Office of Volunteer Services and Parent Programs at 229-333-5941. You may also go in per-

son to the Division of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Office on the third floor of the Student Union during Blazer

Pantry operational hours.

Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday: 8 am—5pm. Friday: 8 am—2pm Closed on all VSU calendar holidays & stu-

dent breaks.

Blazer Pantry Application

T he student body and the secondary protest stood together to show the

country how the American flag, veterans, diversity, apple pie, and mom

are all treasured. Without the Bill of Rights we, as citizens, would not be guar-

anteed our freedom of speech which gives voice to the injustices of the world.

When enough voices speak together and advocate against those laws or indi-

viduals who would oppress others based solely on their DNA make-up. In

2015 we should all be working to make our society a better place to live and

raise families and yet we often find that many individuals are too invested in the past to move forward. It is not uncommon,

especially in the deep-south, to hear the Civil War referred to as the “war of northern aggression.” As gentile as that may

sound spoken in a syrupy southern drawl, it is an indication of how entrenched many people are in a distant past. Every fam-

ily who has lived in the US for more than three generations can claim someone who was a slave, a slave owner or share crop-

per. The behaviors of one’s ancestors do not define an individual any more than their skin color. As future social workers,

we are called upon to advocate for those populations who exist on the fringe or are at risk. We will stand side by side with

people who demonstrate in methods we find distasteful (but are legal) because they are desperate for change in their own

situations. It is vital that we, social workers, become advocates for change in society. Sometimes this advocacy will be an

easy task like signing a petition to have Einstein’s open on web weekend Saturday mornings, and sometimes it will be more

demanding of our time and other times being a good advocate requires standing shoulder to shoulder in a protest line against

an abuse of authority. Riots are not a problem in our society, they are a symp-

tom of deeper issues that have not been fully addressed. Until a candid dialogue

can be established among leaders who can effectively encourage others to open

their minds and help move society towards a socially equitable future, we will

remain attached to a history fraught with intolerance, ignorance and oppression.

Volume 1 Issue 3 May 2015 The VSU Social Worker Page 4

Never Stop Learning~

V a l d o s t a S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

D e p a r t m e n t of S o ci a l W or k

1500 N PATTERSON DR

VALDOSTA, GEORGIA 31698

229-249-4864

Email: socialwork@valdosta.edu

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/education/social-work/

Throughout the year the Georgia Chapter of the NASW has a variety of workshops that can enhance your career

even before it begins. As a NASW member there is a discount and for student NASW members there is a signifi-

cant discount (no CEU attached).

Joining Through the Truth with Terry Real Atlanta Marriott Century Center Friday, May 15, 2015 http://www.naswga.org/store/view_product.asp?id=4103115

Technology, Ethical Challenges and Social Work Practice Hyatt Regency Savannah Saturday, June 13, 2015 http://www.naswga.org/store/view_product.asp?id=3854832

Cultural Diversity: Blacks and Jews Woodruff Volunteer Center (Atlanta) Saturday, June 27, 2015 http://www.naswga.org/store/view_product.asp?id=4507323

Did you know?

Valdosta State University has had several different names through history:

South Georgia Normal School Georgia State Women’s College

Valdosta State University

Powell Library was dedicated by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt

Could you afford it?

$10 for tuition annually & $12 per month for laundry and board (1913)

The Department of Social Work encourages

agencies to announce job openings for social

work positions through our office. Emails

sent to socialwork@valdosta.edu will be dis-

tributed on the "Social Work News & Oppor-

tunities Listserv" and posted in the depart-

ment offices.