JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, TX –
March is National
Social Work Month and this year’s theme is “Forging Solutions out of
Challenges.”
The National
Association of Social Workers drew the inspiration for this year’s theme from
the historic social worker and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins.
Through Perkins’ example of public service, social workers today continue to
seek out challenges that people within the community are facing and assist in
any way possible.
Perkins served under
President Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1933 to 1945 and was the first woman ever
appointed to a U.S. Cabinet position.
The 2016 Masters of Social
Work class at the U.S. Army Medical Department Center & School, Health
Readiness Center of Excellence at Fort Sam Houston has continued the tradition
of service in the community that the social workers who have come before
established.
During the past year,
Army-Fayetteville State University social work students continued to search for
opportunities in which they can help to become part of the solution to many
challenges that face the community.
In order to support a
culture in line with this important value of service, students have volunteered
with a number of community agencies that provide the opportunity to be involved
in solutions for the community.
In March 2015,
students participated in the Rape Crisis Center’s Run 4 Hope, which assists in
raising money to end all forms of violence and empowering survivors of sexual
violence. In April 2015, students assisted in running a booth at the United Way
Kids Festival.
When San Marcos was
hit by tragic flooding in May 2015, a group of students volunteered to assist
with the cleanup of neighborhoods where many homes had been destroyed due to
water damage. During an adoption event at the Animal Defense League in June,
social work students assisted in walking and playing with the dogs and cats
that were hoping to be taken in to new, loving homes.
In September, 2015,
students assisted in building homes for Habitat for Humanity. During the
holidays, social work program students assisted in packing food for families
with the San Antonio Food Bank. The students completed the year with
volunteering at a Boysville event, where the students were paired with children
and assisted them in shopping for Christmas gifts.
The willingness for
the social work students to participate in community events established
relationships that will continue to grow throughout future classes at the AMEDD
Center and School.
The Army-Fayetteville
State University Master of Social Work program will bring social workers from
Joint Base San Antonio together 11:30 a.m. March 18 at the AMEDD museum.
(Editor’s Note:
Gray is a student in
the Masters of Social Work Program through Army-Fayetteville State University at
the U.S. Army Medical Department Center & School at Fort Sam Houston.)