Social Work Global Conference Report 2019

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT Social Workers & Advocates of Kutztown (SWAK) The mission of the Social Workers and Advocates at Kutztown University (SWAK) is to offer Kutztown University students interested in social work the opportunity to network and convene with students, professors and community members to discuss public policy issues, community needs and concerns, as well as events pertaining to the social work field and to participate in advocacy work. In 2019, students were invited to actively participate in the advocacy process by writing letters to local legislators concerning policies affecting families. They were also invited to button making activities to spread awareness of the needs of families. Approximately 20 students participated in a letter writing and button making session prior to the conference. On the day of the conference, 30 individuals participated in button making and letter writing during a lunch session. There was also a chalking activity for individuals to raise awareness on the campus sidewalks of Kutztown University. Students from Kutztown University, Reading Community College, and community members were able to interact and play a part in advocacy for children and families. Julia Laudadio & Amanda Schmitt, BSW students, Kutztown University Effectiveness of Microfinance as a Sustainable Tool for Family Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation in Haiti Microfinance, a community-based lending practice, is led mostly by female community leaders, and is found to be a social tool which offers financial services to enable sustainable livelihood development among rural Haitian poor. It also enhances community building, female empowerment, and strong social networks. Julia Laudadio and Amanda Schmitt provided the framework for understanding the importance of microfinance and a solidarity-based economy as an effective poverty alleviation tool for women, children, and families in Haiti and around the world. Devon Baris , BA, MSW student, Kutztown University Children’s Exposure to Domestic Violence: Person-in-Environment Perspective Children exposed to domestic violence experience repercussions such as emotional numbness, and an inability to empathize with others. Devon Baris used the Person-in-Environment perspective to explore how children are affected by exposure to domestic violence and discussed implications for multilevel social work practice. Robert Lott , BA, MSW student, Kutztown University Being a Different Learner: Global-Local Perspectives The conceptualization of “learning difference” is suggested as an alternate term for “learning disability” with the aim of raising awareness of the challenges of being a different learner. Robert Lott provided an overview of global-local perspectives of learning challenges and discussed his experiences with a learning difference.