Volume 95 | September 2021
OGA Newsletter
The Office of Global Activities (OGA) is dedicated to connecting MSW students to international social work opportunities through fundingspecial programs, academic resources, internationalized curriculum, and arranging faculty and student exchanges at partner institutions.
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! (September 15 - October 15)
September 15 marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month! People across the country spend time this month celebrating the diversity, histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Hispanic Americans make up the largest minority group in the nation and have significantly contributed to our government, culture, and economy over generations. Keep an eye out for Hispanic Heritage Month-centered events featured in our newsletter throughout the month!
Alumni Spotlight: Building Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Infrastructure in Haiti
Building Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Infrastructure in Haiti
Dr. Leah James (MSW '07) and Dr. Charity Hoffman (MSW '12)
As U-M SSW PhD students, Dr. Leah James and Dr. Charity Hoffman had the opportunity to partner with lay-community mental health workers in Haiti shortly following the 2010 earthquake.

Leah helped start an NGO called Soulaje Lespri Moun that provided mental health and disaster preparedness interventions for those affected by the earthquakes and subsequent disasters. Charity taught intergroup dialogue courses at the Institute for Social Work and Social Science. Both were inspired by the determination and resilience of their Haitian colleagues.

In the aftermath of another devastating earthquake, Leah & Charity were approached by Haitian colleagues who are forming a team of mental health responders to offer support. As new mothers both still navigating the challenges of a pandemic, Leah and Charity are currently unable to go to Haiti, but are working to leverage resources available through U-M and through its generous alumni network to offer financial and (remote) training support.

If you would like to contribute, please reach out to Leah ([email protected]) or Charity ([email protected]). Together we can make a difference!
Events
Date: Tuesday, September 21 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: 5B is a remarkable story of courage and compassion from the nurses and caregivers of San Francisco General's Ward 5B. Film screening followed by a panel discussion focusing on HIV/AIDS and nursing innovation. The film viewing and panel discussion are virtual.
Date: Wednesday, September 22 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM EDT
Brief Description: Whether you are writing a research article, class assignment, conference abstract or dissertation, the words, grammatical structures, and organizational patterns you use all signal whether your text sounds “academic.” In this workshop, you will look at features of academic style, and how these differ across a range of writing that undergraduate and graduate students do. Bring a text you are currently working on for analysis. Please come prepared to participate actively in small group discussions.
Date: Friday, October 1 - Saturday, October 2
Brief Description: The Translate-a-thon is a short, intense, community-driven translation marathon, where volunteers interested in translation come together to translate materials for the benefit of our local, national and international community. Current students and alums, faculty and staff, teachers and students from local high schools, prospective transfer students, professional translators and other interested parties are all welcome. The event is hybrid, so you can participate in person or online. Come when you can, stay as long as you like.
Date: Monday, October 4 - Sunday, October 17
Brief Description: You are invited to attend Professor Rogério Pinto's installation entitled Realm of the Dead where he tells how his family grieved the loss of his sister, Marília, who died in a sudden accident when she was three years old. Using dozens of sculptures built into vintage suitcases, Professor Pinto tells his story of growing up in poverty in Brazil, then at 21 coming as a poor immigrant to the United States. The Realm of the Dead installation is part of this year's U-M SSW Centennial Celebration. Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions students cannot attend the performance portion of Professor Pinto's Realm of the Dead.
Announcements
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)

Date: Tuesday, September 21 at 2:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: As we adapt to new and unfamiliar working and living situations, staying connected and building community is vitally important. Today might have you feeling uncertain or unprepared and missing our in-person community. Therefore, UCC would like to bring members of the Latinx student community together for a virtual chat to connect about career topics! Join UCC and other students as they share experiences and strategies for navigating through social distancing, applying for internships or jobs. Join to talk about preparing for the upcoming year from the point of view of a career coach. Joelle will also answer your questions, so grab a mug of coffee, tea, or water and join in on the conversation!

Date: Wednesday, September 22 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: The Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) will host a Loteria night to play and celebrate this traditional game that originated in Mexico. Loteria can also be referred as Mexican or Spanish bingo. The event will be in a hybrid format. There will be prizes for winners and light refreshments for those who chose to attend in-person. The event will begin with a short presentation about the origins of the game and the importance that it brings to Latinx Heritage Month.

Date: Saturday, September 25 - Sunday, November 7
Brief Description: In celebration of Dia de Muertos, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), in partnership with Detroit's Mexican Consulate, invite you to explore a community exhibition of ofrenda altars. In Mexico, and other Latin American countries, the Day of the Dead is the time of the year to celebrate the lives of close relatives, friends or community members who have passed away.

Date: Sunday, September 26 from 3:00 - 4:15 PM EDT
Brief Description: Join Puentes for an in-person beginning salsa class where you will learn New York style salsa (also known as dancing on two). This class will be taught by Laura Geddes at Dance Revolution located on 220 S. Main Street in Ann Arbor. This event is scheduled to occur in-person and will require a mask to participate. Please also bring dance shoes or socks to dance in (no street shoes are permitted).
International Career Pathways is a cross-unit initiative that aims to compile and highlight events happening across campus pertaining to global internships, service, and careers!

Date: Thursday, October 21 from 12:00 - 2:30 PM EDT
Brief Description: The International Opportunities Fair is a great way to connect with organizations with an international focus! The Fair includes post graduation opportunities, internships abroad, volunteering abroad, teaching abroad, and grants/fellowships/scholarships.

Date: Wednesday, September 22 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM EDT
Brief Description: The U.S. Department of State offers over 1,000 summer internships at its embassies and missions throughout the world, at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at facilities in approximately 20 other cities throughout the United States. A panel of University of Michigan students will share their experiences as U.S. Department of State interns this past summer.

Date: Wednesday, October 20 from 4:00 - 5:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: Interested in careers in public policy, law, and human rights? Join to learn from Hardy Vieux, Chief of Staff of Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), and Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation Policymaker in Residence at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

Date: Monday, October 25 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: Interested in humanitarian and international development careers with Mercy Corps? Join to learn from Michelle LeMeur, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Director, Mercy Corps Nepal.

Date: Wednesday, October 27 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: A panel of global health and development professionals will share their career stories, including preparation, training, and advice for prospective global professionals.
Professional Opportunities
Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 22 at 5:00 PM
Brief Description: The Intercultural Leadership Seminar (ILS) is designed for international and U.S. students who want to learn how to be more effective in a global environment. ILS includes brief lectures, discussions, experiential activities, and small group work. You can attend as many sessions as you are interested in.
Application Deadline: Friday, October 29
Brief Description: The Graduate Certificate in World Performance Studies (GCWPS) provides students an opportunity to join an interdisciplinary cohort of Graduate Fellows, interested in performance as an artistic and scholarly field of inquiry. The GCWPS requires 9 credit hours of coursework over the span of twelve months. Graduate Fellows are awarded a $3500 stipend for a summer research project, internship or practicum, to take place in the summer.
Brief Description: The Latinx Social Work Coalition (LSWC) has multiple positions open on their E-Board, including Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Serving on the E-Board is a great opportunity to develop leadership skills, plan social events, and help guide the group in a positive direction going forward. Read a description of each e-board position here.
Brief Description: The Drive Michigan Forward Coalition is advocating for the Drive SAFE Bills, introduced in the State Legislature, which would restore the right for undocumented Michiganders to obtain a driver's license. During the phone banking, volunteers make calls to Michigan voters in strategic voting districts to spread the word about the bills, ask voters to join the effort, and to contact their representatives about supporting the bills and granting them a hearing.

The dates and times of the phone banks are to be determined. They are anticipated to be about 2 hours long (for training, making calls, debriefing). Volunteers can sign up for as many or few phone banks as they are able.
Brief Description: Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels is seeking 4 MSW students for office assistant positions. Office Assistants support AAMOW's meal deliveries by cleaning coolers and baskets, counting meals, greeting volunteers, bagging Ensure, and occasionally delivering meals in their own vehicle or a University vehicle. Office Assistants also help with general tasks in the office that may include answering phones, entering data, and attending in-home assessments with AAMOW social workers.
Grant Opportunities
Deadline: Wednesday, September 22
Brief Description: The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program is a program funded by the U.S. Department of State, administered by Howard University, that attracts and prepares outstanding young people for Foreign Service careers in the U.S. Department of State. It welcomes the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the State Department, women, and those with financial need. Based on the fundamental principle that diversity is a strength in our diplomatic efforts, the program values varied backgrounds, including ethnic, racial, social, and geographic diversity.
Deadline: Monthly, September 26
Brief Description: SAMI provides funding for individual students and student organizations fulfilling projects and/or events that are designed to increase self-development and educate the campus community on multicultural issues through an academic lens. The awarded amount can be up to $1,000 for individuals and up to $2,000 for student organizations or groups. The application cycle is once a month.
Deadline: Rolling
Brief Description: Subject to availability of funding, awards will be made to faculty, students, and staff presenting Africa-focused papers or serving as chairs or discussants for Africa-focused sessions at regional, national, or international conferences. Priority is given to applicants who have not received prior ASC funding and to projects focused on Sub-Saharan Africa.
Deadline: Rolling
Brief Description: The U.S. Department of Education provides a variety of grant opportunities. Eligibility, funding amounts, and deadlines vary.
Resources
Global Impact: News Story of the Week
*All news stories presented are likely to include bias. Please be aware of this as you read the article. If interested, we encourage you to read further about the topic at your own discretion.

"Filipino broom maker Gloria Hernandez longs for chicken and milkfish — big milkfish. She can only afford small ones now, and they don't add up to a decent meal. She eats rice with coffee twice a day so she doesn't feel hungry. Fried eggs and bread — those are the foods Nigerian clergyman Femi Oyekan Moses used to eat all the time and misses the most. Now he mainly eats beans and corn and often skips lunch."
To find previous OGA Newsletter volumes, click the OGA Newsletter Archive .
Email [email protected] if you have any questions.