Student-Led Block Party Brings Resources and Support to the Community

Earlier last month, SSW student library interns hosted a community block party at the Mastic Moriches Shirley Library, providing food to over 100 people along with warm clothing and personal care items.

Community partners, including Suffolk DSS, PSEG, Cornell Cooperative, ECLI-VIBS, YES, Big Brothers Big Sisters, LI Fair Housing, and the Suffolk County Minority Health Department, provided information and access to resources. Social work interns assisted attendees with applications and service referrals, while student volunteers helped distribute food and welcomed community members with dignity and care. Food was donated by USWA, student interns, Food Solidarity, and Professor Hebenstreit, PhD, LMSW. Silas Kelly, LMSW, from Kelsun on the Air, attended and will feature the event on an upcoming podcast.



This event was made possible by the dedication of the students in collaboration with the SSW community. Library interns include: La-Tia Morris (first-year MSW), Allen Lituma (first-year MSW), Chiara Cange (first-year MSW), James Buchalwski (first-year MSW), Damian Maldonado (first-year MSW), Georgia Vourou (BSW), Jake Zosimo (BSW), and Jason Montenegro (BSW). SSW's former library intern joined them, and now current library social work advocate Anne Hutzler (second-year MSW FYT), and USWA members Hais Montville (BSW) and Courtney Nichols (BSW). 

“This was truly an amazing day of community strength, mutual aid, and the power that comes from working together," said Leah Topek-Walker, DSW, LCSW-R, clinical associate professor, who supervises the library interns. 

Advocacy Through Storytelling: Students Lead Presentation at Keys for the Homeless Conference

A group of BSW and MSW students presented at the 37th Annual Keys for the Homeless Conference held in December, with a workshop titled "Centering Storytelling in Advocacy." The well-attended session engaged participants in using storytelling as an advocacy tool, featuring powerful narratives from library interns and attendees’ own experiences.

The students facilitated meaningful dialogue, highlighting homelessness and housing as a human right and demonstrating the role of social workers in fostering connection and social change. Presenters included: Victoria Castellano (second-year CPPSA), La-Tia Morris (first-year MSW), Kimberly Amato (first-year MSW), Jake Zosimo (BSW senior), Kathyanna Bolbasis (BSW senior), and Angelina Brown (BSW senior). 

“Participating in and attending the Keys for the Homeless Conference was a great honor," said Brown. "It shed light on the importance of engaging in advocacy, empowering underserved communities, and working collaboratively to foster change.

"My main takeaway is that stories hold immense power," she added. "Others may debate the facts that you share, but no one can take away the truth of your story. It is the one thing that truly exhibits the realities of the human experience, while harnessing the power of you. Our voices can move people in ways that nothing else can; everyone deserves to be heard."

Faculty Collaborating for Inclusion and Belonging