News Archive
Alumni
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A writer who shined a bright light on challenging social issues throughout Southern California, a longtime advocate for vulnerable children and families, and an innovative social work education program received laudatory recognition from the California Social Welfare Archives during its annual awards reception.
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In a time of frequent budget cuts to music and arts programs, many schools might resign themselves to thinking “that's the way of the world.” But come “September,” Erielda Casaya-Wright will choose the “shining stars” at local schools who will receive new instruments or funding from the Verdine White Performing Arts Center’s music foundation, turning their classrooms into “boogie wonderlands.”
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Carla J. Thornton had always been involved in community work, but it took being part of a class on community organizing to change her life. The light bulb moment came while she was obtaining her master’s in social work at the University of Southern California. “I realized I could do social work at the macro level and directly impact individuals,” she said.
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When David Bond learned that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teenagers and young adults nationwide, he felt spurred to action.
That passion only increased when he discovered that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youths are approximately four times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual teens and young adults.
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For some of South Los Angeles’ neediest kids, getting a college degree can seem downright unachievable.
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This post originally appeared on the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s website, www.mptf.com.
Openness matters.
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Steven Su sits at his desk as an inmate pounds his knuckles against it, yelling he wishes he could kill someone, anyone.
In a confidential, one-on-one setting, Su often worries about his patients’ violent reactions.
Su, MSW ‘13, goes to a maximum-security prison every day. As a clinical social worker for the California Institution for Men, a 2,500-acre state prison located in Chino, California, he works with patients with psychosis, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, among other mental illnesses.
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Ivy Hammond graduated from the USC School of Social Work in May 2015, becoming the first recipient of the Matthew Holland Scholarship in Social Work to receive a master’s in social work. Established in 2012 by Board of Councilors member Mark Spratt, MSW/MPA ’03, the Matthew Holland Scholarship in Social Work, named in honor of Spratt’s partner, is awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to LGBTQ matters through academic work, community involvement and other personal contributions.
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When Margaux Helvey began her search for a master’s program, she was looking for an opportunity to combine her strengths in business strategy and management with social impact. She found it at the University of Southern California, one of the few institutions at the time that offered a dual degree in social work and business administration.
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George Caballero, MSW ’82, never expected to be in a position to help in the way he has over the course of his professional career.
“For someone who didn’t have any aspirations of even going to college, getting my master’s degree in social work was a major accomplishment,” Caballero said. “Everything that’s come after that has been a gift.”
Caballero’s career spans more than 30 years serving the Los Angeles community through direct practice, research, clinical supervision, consultation and executive-level leadership.