The School of Social Work

March 2024 Newsletter

The mission of the School of Social Work is to promote

 social justice through quality professional education, advocacy, community partnerships, and the development and dissemination of knowledge through enquiry.

Upcoming Events

Lancers Recover and UWinPride are planning a (free) Coffee House event on Thursday, April 4 at the Green Bean Café from 6-9pm. Coffee and snacks available for purchase at the Green Bean. “Come out to see a variety of uplifting live performances including poetry, music, spoken word, etc. focused on wellness, hope, inspiration, and joy. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.”

Presenters can sign up using the following Qualtrics link: https://uwindsor.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4SoYfom3HEtG8D4

Those who are not presenting do not need to register. 

Social Work professionals and students are invited to have headshots taken and edited by professional photographers at the School of Social Work from 6-8pm on Thursday April 11th!

Headshots are a great way to help develop your professional profile as a social worker or social work student and can be used on social media platforms and websites like LinkedIn. Hiring professional photographers can cost upwards of $250, so you won’t want to miss this opportunity to upgrade your social profiles with professional headshots at a discounted rate!

Register online at https://lnkd.in/eP3GZ4_K

The School of Social Work welcomes

The Honourable Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard

The Honourable Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard joined the School for meaningful discussions about anti-black racism. Dr. Thomas Bernard encouraged students and faculty to engage with questions about their experiences and challenges. The session was lead by Dr. Riham Al-Saadi and included undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and community members.

Following the session, Dr. Al-Saadi noted that she was receiving "so much positive feedback, insights and doors opening for the difficult conversation."

Biography

Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard is a social worker, educator, researcher, community activist, advocate, and mentor. Born in East Preston, Nova Scotia, she was one of the first three young people from her community to attend university and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Saint Vincent University in 1975, a Masters of Social Work from Dalhousie University in 1977, and a Ph.D. in 1996 from the University of Sheffield, Sheffield England.

She was the first African Nova Scotian hired in a tenure track position at Dalhousie University in 1990. She served as Director of the Dalhousie School of Social Work for 10 years, retired in 2017 and is now a Professor Emeritus. Dr. Bernard is highly regarded for addressing racial and cultural diversity in social work education and in the community. She is a founding member of the Association of Black Social Workers, a former Chair of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women, and a founding member of the Africadian Empowerment Academy.

Dr. Bernard has received numerous awards, certificates, and recognition over the years for her trendsetting work and effective community leadership, including the Order of Nova Scotia, the Order of Canada, and three Honourary Doctorate degrees. She was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 2016 under the new Independent appointments process.

Xyza Cruz Bacani,

Guest Speaker

Dr. Carol Wade's SWRK 2040 Issues & Perspectives in Social Welfare class recently hosted guest speaker, Xyza Cruz Bacani. This was the messaging given to students ahead of their class:

Given that our topic this week centers around Anti-Racism and feminism, Xyza Cruz Bacani's background as a second-generation domestic worker in Hong Kong and her identity as a woman of color from the Philippines provides a perspective on the intersections of race, gender, and labour, making her an essential voice in discussions on anti-racism and feminism. As an interdisciplinary artist and writer, Bacani utilizes her creative talents to shed light on marginalized communities and systemic injustices through photography and writing. Her work has garnered recognition from prestigious institutions like Asia Society and Forbes, demonstrating her influence in addressing social issues. Bacani's advocacy projects related to migration, transnational identity, and human rights align with the principles of anti-racism and feminism, making her an asset in promoting social justice and equality. Overall, Bacani's background, artistic contributions, and advocacy efforts make her an excellent choice as a guest speaker for our discussion, challenging stereotypes and sparking meaningful dialogue on these important topics. 

BIOGRAPHY

Xyza Cruz Bacani earned her M.A. in Arts Politics from New York University in 2022 and has received recognition as one of Asia Society’s Asia 21 Young Leaders, Artpil’s 30 Under 30 Women Photographers, Forbes’s 30 Under 30 Asia, and BBC’s 100 Women of the World. Bacani's artistic achievements are documented by the Philippines House of Representatives under ‘House Resolution No. 1969’. She has received grants from prestigious organizations such as the WMA Commission, the Open Society Moving Walls Foundation, and the Pulitzer Center. She has been a Magnum Foundation Photography and Social Justice Fellow. Additionally, Bacani authored the book "We Are Like Air."

Bacani's work is held in the permanent collections of esteemed institutions such as the Museum of the City of New York, the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago, and the Kadist Collection in Paris, among others. She is known for her black-and-white photographs of Hong Kong and her documentary projects focusing on migration and the intersections of labour and human rights. Bacani's contributions to photography have garnered international acclaim, establishing her as a prominent figure in the art world.

Faculty News

Aman Ahluwalia-Cameron

Aman has been awarded Outstanding Female Doctoral Student Researcher at the University of Windsor, representing the School of Social Work.

The award was developed by The Women in Research group, in partnership with the Graduate Student Society, and shines a spotlight on female graduate researchers from different faculties across campus. This initiative celebrates research impacts and highlights the University’s commitment to diversity and excellence in research.

Aman’s research inspires future generations and shapes a more inclusive research environment brimming with possibilities. In line with UWindsor’s new strategic plan - Aspire: Together for Tomorrow – Aman’s dissertation work advances social work research by examining structural and provider-based stigma associated with social workers. Aman interviewed 41-social workers across Ontario. The findings from her dissertation work are already being operationalized when she teaches within the School of Social Work, and when she disseminates her research findings at national and international conferences.



Most recently, Aman presented her research at Society for Social Work Research (SSWR) with co-authors, Dr. Guta, and Dr. Donnelly. The presentation titled, “I Can't Help You If You're Borderline”: A Qualitative Exploration of Provider Based Stigma with Social Workers Who Provide Care to Those Living with Borderline Personality Disorder in Ontario, Canada discussed thematic findings from the project. She is being recognized for her significant and impactful contributions made as a PhD student.

Congratulations, Aman on this wonderful achievement!

Student News

Eliane Piccolo,

BSW Student

Meeting the Primer Minister during his visit at Life After Fifty March 14, 2024, was one of the most exciting days. I am a Social Work student at the University of Windsor. I am in my fourth BSW year. I am doing my placement at Life After Fifty, a community center for seniors fifty and over.

On March 14th, I started my day as for other days, but I noticed that all the present staff were dressed up; we usually dress casually because we do many activities with the seniors at the center. Around 2:00 pm, my supervisor told me to prepare the gym for an event, but still, she was saying nothing. I asked what the event was for, and finally, she said, “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is coming to LAF shortly.” At first, I thought she was kidding, but when the police, security and undercover agents took over the facility, I believed, and my excitement grew.

We waited for at least two hours. I was at the front desk when PM Justin Trudeau and MP Irek Kusmierczyk arrived, and I was the first person they shook hands with; I was so excited.

Tuesday, March 14th, was a rainy day, but that did not stop the PM and MP from coming to LAF, introducing the free dental program for seniors 65 and over, and hearing from the seniors. He did not give a long speech, but I was glad to see him and the MP sitting at each table, talking directly with our seniors and listening to what they had to say. At the end, the PM and MP took their last picture with the Staff Member at LAF.

As a future social worker, I had the opportunity to network and advocate at the macro level. I talked with the MP about the long term care situation and contacted his team.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister and MP visit was unexpected; I never thought I could have this experience in my lifetime, directly in my workplace (placement), and could do some macro advocacy.

Alumni News

Denise Enis Edwards, MSWwp Alumnus

My name is Denise Enis Edwards. I was born in the beautiful Island of Jamaica. It is a honour to be feature in the School of Social Work's newsletter. In 2012, I completed my Social Service Worker diploma at Algonquin College in Ottawa, after which I pursued a degree in Psychology at Carleton University. During college and university studies I worked at a Homeless Shelter. While working at the shelter, I worked with the vulnerable, economically disadvantaged, and ethnic minorities group that were living with mental illness and struggling with addiction. Working with these clients I was able to gain their trust, view their situation from a holistic approach which allowed me to see the clients as individuals who needed support, hope and encouragement, so that they could achieve their potential to recovery and live a fulfilled life. 

I was passionate to become a social worker, subsequently in 2015, I started my bachelor’s degree in social work at University of Manitoba (UofM), after which I applied at the University of Windsor for the MSW working professional program (MSWwp). During my studies at UofM and Windsor I worked as a Child Protection worker, then as a supervisor in Nunavut. As a supervisor, I provide direction to my staff, assign, and monitor their caseloads and I also manage my own child welfare caseload; that requires me to work with children and their families to provide stability and support. The small remote community that I work with in Nunavut has numerous challenges, such as persistent and prolonged overcrowded housing conditions. Food insecurity, ongoing struggle with substance abuse, limited access to resources, also community members experiencing transgenerational trauma. Regardless of their challenges they are resilient and willing to make positive changes. Working with this population has increased my awareness about systemic disadvantage that the Inuit experience, limiting their abilities to meet their basic needs. My work experience and studies at the University of Windsor have enhanced my leadership skills and provided me with a better understanding of the systemic issues that affect the community members and their generation. 

In concluding the MSWwp program I did my practicum in September 2023 at a mental health center in Ottawa working with the Forensic Family court and Sexual Behaviour clinic department. This was a new, exciting, and challenging experience. The practicum experience allowed me to think divergently and enhanced my comprehension of the rehabilitating of sexual offenders and the effectiveness of support groups. As a graduate social worker, I always reflect on my social locations in relation to my clients by trying to understand the power dynamics between myself and clients. With such self-awareness, I always take a non-judgmental approach to aid clients to restore their dignity and integrity. That experience has taught me how to extend compassion to all who are in need, show empathy and widen my understanding of another person’s situation. With my many works experience, personal and professional background, it has all helped to hone my abilities to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients who have lost hope in the social system. Therefore, I can advocate for clients and connect them to services in the community and other resources for ongoing support. As a social worker, I assist others in initiating a positive change and I have the privilege of working towards this every day because I have enhanced my studies by obtaining a graduate degree at UWindsor. 

Updates from Sharon Munro,

Social Work Librarian

We acknowledge that The University of Windsor sits on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, comprised of the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi. We respect the longstanding relationships with First Nations People in this place in the 100-mile Windsor-Essex Peninsula and the straits - les détroits of Detroit.