Spring Break
Social Work Club advocates, acts
Jayme Smith, Student Reporter
Issue date: 2/17/08 Section: News
The Social Work Club is on the move to recruit new members who are willing to use their time and voice to address issues that are often ignored, spread awareness on campus and in the community and serve those who are less fortunate.
The club consists of about 25 members who are predominantly undergraduate and graduate social work majors. Once a month, the members attend social work Chapel and have a meeting afterward to discuss the preparation of future events.
This month, the club's theme is "Political Campaign Awareness." Members are encouraging others to take action,
vote and become more politically aware.
In past months, members have been hosts and hostesses for a Martin Luther King Jr. banquet, put together gift baskets for people with AIDS and sponsored "Erasing Racism" and a G.V. Daniels' Halloween Festival.
The purpose of the club varies among club officers like Merrell Cotton III, treasurer of the Social Work Club and social work graduate student from Abilene.
"It gives students the opportunity to see, learn and experience what it's like to be a social worker," Cotton said. "This will happen by getting members to take part in advocating and taking action in the ACU and Abilene community, to make people aware of the serious social issues that not only plague our community but our world."
For Coby Thornton, vice president of the Social Work Club and social work graduate student from La Grange, the club's intention is bringing about awareness of various social issues, serving others and serving Christ.
"To me, social work is fighting for others - using my voice, my life, my time and my privileges to help someone in need," Thornton said. "Injustices are frequent, and it is easy to look over them when we are comfortable; I think it's important to remember those who are uncomfortable and use our voices to speak up for them.
"Even the smallest effort can make a difference," Thornton said.
Students interested in social work can seek advice from Dr. Tanya Brice, adviser of the Social Work Club and associate
professor of social work.
"Social work involves action," Brice said. "We help folks adjust to their society and solve their problems."
She also warns students that it is not a clean profession, and it's definitely not about the monetary aspect.
Brice also wants to let the public know what the Social Work Club is about.
"We're engaging students in professional social work
opportunities and encouraging them to become social justice practitioners," she said. "We want to be very active and loud on campus, stirring stuff up."
The School of Social Work sponsors the Social Work Club, and the Students' Association also provides funds.
E-mail Smith at: optimist@acu.edu
The club consists of about 25 members who are predominantly undergraduate and graduate social work majors. Once a month, the members attend social work Chapel and have a meeting afterward to discuss the preparation of future events.
This month, the club's theme is "Political Campaign Awareness." Members are encouraging others to take action,
vote and become more politically aware.
In past months, members have been hosts and hostesses for a Martin Luther King Jr. banquet, put together gift baskets for people with AIDS and sponsored "Erasing Racism" and a G.V. Daniels' Halloween Festival.
The purpose of the club varies among club officers like Merrell Cotton III, treasurer of the Social Work Club and social work graduate student from Abilene.
"It gives students the opportunity to see, learn and experience what it's like to be a social worker," Cotton said. "This will happen by getting members to take part in advocating and taking action in the ACU and Abilene community, to make people aware of the serious social issues that not only plague our community but our world."
For Coby Thornton, vice president of the Social Work Club and social work graduate student from La Grange, the club's intention is bringing about awareness of various social issues, serving others and serving Christ.
"To me, social work is fighting for others - using my voice, my life, my time and my privileges to help someone in need," Thornton said. "Injustices are frequent, and it is easy to look over them when we are comfortable; I think it's important to remember those who are uncomfortable and use our voices to speak up for them.
"Even the smallest effort can make a difference," Thornton said.
Students interested in social work can seek advice from Dr. Tanya Brice, adviser of the Social Work Club and associate
professor of social work.
"Social work involves action," Brice said. "We help folks adjust to their society and solve their problems."
She also warns students that it is not a clean profession, and it's definitely not about the monetary aspect.
Brice also wants to let the public know what the Social Work Club is about.
"We're engaging students in professional social work
opportunities and encouraging them to become social justice practitioners," she said. "We want to be very active and loud on campus, stirring stuff up."
The School of Social Work sponsors the Social Work Club, and the Students' Association also provides funds.
E-mail Smith at: optimist@acu.edu
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