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Social Work Students Engaged in Experiential Learning Projects

Social Work

Hands-On Learning and Getting Out of the Classroom are Hallmarks of the Program

Social workers are dedicated to helping persons in need throughout society and, in the case of studying social work at Wilmington College, that means getting out of. the classroom and into the community.

PICTURED: Promoting its campaign on behalf of the homeless population are, from the left, Corissa Oeder, Lauren Dooley and Hailey Gregor.

Assistant Professor Wendy Grab's class in Promoting Policy and Community Change has been engaged in projects involving topics ranging from trauma-informed care and foster youth to supporting the homeless and creating an effective anti-vaping program for middle schools.

The class has been working with Clinton County Job and Family Services on a project of collecting items for children in foster care. They also promote "life books" as a way for these children to celebrate their lives by recoding milestones and accomplishments enhanced by photos, drawings and journal entries. The students collected binders, stickers, glue sticks and other items that can be used in creating life books.

The students have begun an effort for Wilmington College to become a "Trauma-Informed Campus." This can be accomplished through raising awareness of TIC, providing training and ultimately creating a committee to implement it and create a safe space for all students, staff, faculty and administration. Students led a petition drive earlier this spring and produced an informational publication and video they plan to promote in Ohio high schools.

Also, they led an information campaign placing companies on notice for advertising their hazardous products to youth markets. They allegedly are promoting such "fun flavors" as gummi bears and Skittles, and use cartoon-themed vape pens featuring images like SpongeBob while others light up in multiple colors.

Students also spearheaded the assembling of care boxes for homeless populations while working in partnership with Sugartree Ministries and the Clinton County Homeless Shelter. They sought donations for such items as socks, hygiene products and nonperishable food items.