Volunteer Services
Social Work student, Kylie Oversen, received the Phenomenal Women Award at the Multicultural & Women's Center Luncheon held at the International Centre on March 7, 2012. This event was structured around five women in history that 'came to life'. Kylie's award was chosen in connection to Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan's first female Prime Minister, who is recognized for her commitment to leadership. Kylie was nominated for this award by Dr. Lori Ressor, UND Vice-President, for her work as an advocate for women and diverse populations in her role as UND Student Body President. Dr. Ressor recognized her leadership in addressing the nickname and logo issues in her nomination and her diligent work to create a campus climate that engages the needs of all, including women.
Kylie's Academic Advisor, Dr. Andrew Quinn stated, "she is organized, ambitious and displays leadership in her passion for learning and challenging difficult issues."
Pictured L to R: Yolanda Cox (portraying Benazir Bhutto), Dr. Lori Ressor, and Kylie Oversen
_________________________________________________________________________________________
The University of North Dakota student body president, Kylie Overseen, is joining two Democratic-NPL incumbents in a bid to represent District 42 in the North Dakota Legislature. Kylie and incumbents, Senator Mac Schneider and Representative Corey Mock, announced on February 16, 2012 that they would seek endorsement for the three spots on the Legislature from District 42, which includes the UND campus and surrounding neighborhoods.
Overseen, a native of Killdeer, ND, will complete her term as UND student body president in March and will graduate in August with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. She said she looks forward to a "new challenge" of representing Grand Forks in the Legislature.
Grand Forks Democrats endorsed candidates for the Legislature during the convention for Districts 17, 18, 19, 42 and 43, which was held at 9:00am at Valley Middle School.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
The student clubs ran the Cake Walk at the Winter Carnival on February 12, 2012 volunteering their time to raise funds for the local head start. Kids were able to play in inflatable games, get their faces painted, even attend a magic show at the Alerus Center. This event helps give families and kids a reason to get out of the house when it's cold out.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Phi Alpha and the Student Social Work Association volunteered on December 7-16, 2011 to help collect Christmas gifts for American Crystal Sugar families who had been laid off.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
The student clubs volunteered for Project Connect on November 17, 2011 at Hope Church. Project connect holds this one day event to bring together businesses and agencies in the community to help those who are homeless, or may become homeless deal with life's challenges. This event helps connect local families to the information, service, and support they need.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
On November 10, 2011 the Center for Community Engagement held their annual Stone Soup Luncheon and Program at the University of North Dakota Memorial Union Ballroom, where they announced the 2011 Civic Engagement Awards. The recipient of the 2011 Undergraduate Civic Engagement Award went to Reginald Tarr.
Reginald Tarr has been an effective leader as an educator of members of the Grand Forks community about refugee resettlement. Born in Liberia, Reginald spent 13 years in a refugee camp before coming to Grand Forks in 2003, where he has helped organize the United African Community. A social work student at the University of North Dakota, he has been a frequent guest speaker and presenter at human rights conferences.
________________________________________________________________________________________
On November 3, 2011 Northland Rescue Mission held their annual Mission of Hope Banquet at the Alerus Center. The social work clubs volunteered to help raise funds for the Mission's ministry to the homeless and poor in North Dakota and Minnesota.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Members of the social work clubs volunteered their time at the Halloween Costume Giveaway on October 29, 2011 at St. Michael's School Gym. St. Joseph's Social Care and United Way of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Area hold this event each year to provide children of low income families Halloween costumes. Games and lunch are provided to families while they wait to pick out a costume.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Phi Alpha Honor Society and Student Social Work clubs receive National Poster Award at the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on October 29, 2011.
________________________________________________________________________________________
The Social Work Club at the University of North Dakota has earned the prestigious National Phi Alpha Chapter Service Award. The award recognizes and awards chapter achievement in fulfilling the core values of the Phi Alpha Honor Society and the Social Work profession.
The Chapter Service Award comes with a plaque, a check for $500 and national recognition at this year's Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting in Atlanta, GA.
"The applications were sent to many judges in various regions. All applications were excellent this year and the judging was tough," stated the award letter.
"I'm so proud of our Club and all of the volunteer work they have provided in our community," said Thomasine Heitkamp, Chair of the Social Work Department. "Club Advisor, Barb Kramer, has provided wonderful leadership and along with faculty, has illustrated a model value of service to our students."
The purpose of Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among students of Social Work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards for education for Social Workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in Social Work.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Phi Alpha Honor Society and the Student Social Work Association volunteered their time to help with the Empty Bowl Project on October 13, 2011. St. Joseph Social Care (formerly St. Vincent de Paul) holds an annual empty bowl fundraiser to help fight hunger. Artists and community members create hand painted bowls for this event. A minimum donation is requested in exchange for your choice of a hand painted bowl to take home with you, as well as a simple meal of soup, bread and dessert. This event also includes a silent auction.
________________________________________________________________________________________
On September 20, 2011 two BSSW students were members of a community panel on the topic of "Immigrants and Refugees in Grand Forks." Reggie Tarr and Kowsar Shafie discussed, with a large community audience at the Empire Theatre, their experiences coming to the US and resettling here. Reggie is a refugee from Liberia and Kowsar a refugee from Somalia. Their high level of engagement and thoughtful responses, to very difficult audience questions, was laudable. The panel discussion was televised live on Channel 2.
"I received several positive comments and emails from audience participants and community social workers regarding their thoughtful input," said Thomasine Heitkamp, Chair of Social Work, "they obviously get all the credit for being strong in their conviction to engage in public education regarding refugee populations and resettlement issues. They have also been part of a larger community task force on the topic of New Americans."
________________________________________________________________________________________
The student social work clubs participated in the "Stomp Out Child Abuse" Grand Forks Red River Children's Advocacy Center Walk on September 14, 2011. The UND Department of Social Work and United Way of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Area sponsored this walk to raise awareness about the realities of child abuse that thousands of children face every day and how Children's Advocacy Centers make a difference in these children's lives.
________________________________________________________________________________________
The Social Work Department's Annual Spring Banquet was held on May 5, 2011 at the Clarion Inn.
The student club officers with club advisor, Barb Kramer.
The Phi Alpha Induction Ceremony was also held at the Social Work Banquet on May 5, 2011 at the Clarion Inn. Pictured below are the BSSW & MSW Phi Alpha Inductees.
The Social Work clubs were presented with their Participation Award from NASW-ND representatives for their significant attendance at the Social Justice Advocacy Day in Bismarck on March 7, 2011.
________________________________________________________________________________________
The Hands on Learning Fair held its 20th Annual Event on April 16, 2011 at the Purpur Arena in Grand Forks. Students from Phi Alpha and the Student Social Work Association clubs volunteered their time to this event as greeters. This event raised awareness during Young Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month. The fair featured an exciting variety of activities for children and their families.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Student club members volunteered for "Feed my Starving Children" on April 2, 2011 to help pack nutritious food for children in need.
________________________________________________________________________________________
The Student Social Work clubs sponsored Time-Out Week Speaker, Denise K. Lajimodiere from North Dakota State University (NDSU), as she presented on April 4, 2011 at the University of North Dakota Lecture Bowl in the Memorial Union. Denise gave a presentation on Native American Boarding Schools.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Phi Alpha and SSWA clubs sponsored a Bracelet Giveaway at the Memorial Union for "Spread the Word to End the Word" on March 30-31, 2011. This was a SWK 454 class project to help end the word "retard(ed)". The club and students also visited local schools to present, demonstrate, teach and talk about respect with students.
________________________________________________________________________________________
On March 29, 2011 both of the student clubs came together and volunteered their services to Red River Valley Community Action in Grand Forks to help pack up food to be distributed to those in need.
________________________________________________________________________________________
The Phi Alpha and Student Social Work Association held a baked goods sale in the basement of Gillette Hall on March 25, 2011 to raise funds for the club and awareness for Social Work Month.
________________________________________________________________________________________
On March 14, 2011 club members, faculty, staff and social work students gathered at the eternal flame on the University of North Dakota campus to take a picture and produce a video to be submitted to Good Morning America entitled "Believe in Change". The video was broadcast in Good Morning America's segment "Your Three Words: Here They Come" to Ian Axel's soundtrack "This is the New Year". Click here to see the segment.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Social Justice Advocacy Day was held on March 7, 2011 at the North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck. All admitted social work majors (undergraduate and graduate), club members and social work faculty were invited to attend. The trip was coordinated in response from an invitation from the North Dakota Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-ND). At this event they promoted their work at the University of North Dakota, attended committee hearings and met with state officials. The University of North Dakota had 18 students and 4 faculty in attendance and was awarded for the highest attendance. In recognition of their significant attendance at the Social Justice Advocacy Day, NASW-ND representatives will be presenting a Participation Award to the University of North Dakota Social Work students at the department's Annual Spring Banquet on May 5, 2011.
________________________________________________________________________________________
On March 5, 2011 the clubs gathered to make blankets for children under the age of 10. The club made a total of 13 blankets for the Red River Child Advocacy Center in Grand Forks.
