Students in Dr. Richard Smith's community building and development class partnered with Focus: HOPE to take a neighborhood survey on community strengths. Students and staff from Focus: HOPE, which sits along Oakman Boulevard in north central Detroit, asked Hope Village residents about their educational opportunities, perception of safety, health access, and civic participation. Pictured below from left to right are Stephanie Johnson-Cobb, manager of community involvement and safety for Focus: HOPE, Claudia Redfearn, Kendra Wells, Sarah Driscoll, and Alexis Mitchell. 

To enhance the learning of her Social Work 7040 (General Practice and Theory) course, adjunct faculty Larmender Davis regularly invites guest speakers to discuss their real-world social work experiences. For her fall class on Main Campus, students heard from Andrea Spraggins (top photo below, at right with Larmender), who is a licensed social worker and WSU School of Social Work alumna who works as a renal social worker. Having received a kidney transplant at the age of 22, Andrea is passionate about working with others who have experienced the same and providing them with the support and information that they need. Students were very interested in hearing more about her personal experience and how she uses that experience in her practice.

Students at the Macomb campus heard from WSU School of Social Work alumnus and past SSW Alumni Association Board President Corey Faulkner (bottom photo below). Corey has worked as an oncology and hospice social worker and shared with the students the importance of self-care and how being passionate about your work can sustain you throughout your career. Students were amazed by Corey's optimism and passion given his work with severe illness, death and dying. They were inspired by his words and compassion.

Part-time faculty member Tonya Fleming-Fuller (below) formed and is President of a new Soroptimist International Club in Detroit. The Soroptimist International Club of Greater Detroit (SICGD) will focus on educating and empowering young women who are homeless and/or at risk of being homeless in the general Detroit area. Soroptimist is a global women's organization whose members work to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. Soroptimist programs focus on providing women and girls with access to education, which includes the annual distribution of monetary awards.

SICGD is seeking new members to join the organization who are committed to empowering other women and want to volunteer. SICGD will be preparing for the next award year in the upcoming months and will be seeking applicants who are ages 18 and over and are the primary financial source for their family to submit for "The Live Your Dream Award". SICGD is also developing a career series for girls entitled "Dream It Be It" and will seek to partner with youth organizations to impact younger women. Please visit www.soroptimist.org to learn more or email sigreaterdetroit@soroptimist.net for more information.