SSW Weekly Update: 4-21-25

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MSW Student’s Caring by Card Project Featured in Award Winning Publication

Rachel Bennett’s Caring by Card project was recently honored with a feature in Maria Shriver’s award-winning digital publication, The Sunday Paper. You can read the story here.

Rachel, an MSW student specializing in Integrated Health (IH), founded Caring by Card in 2020 in memory of her late mother, Shaunna, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at just 56 years old. In her twenties, Rachel stepped into the role of caregiver and later faced the difficult decision of moving her mother into a nursing home. It was during this time that she witnessed the deep

loneliness many residents experienced—often going without visitors or mail.

Inspired by that experience, Rachel launched Caring by Card, a heartfelt movement encouraging

people to create and send handmade cards to nursing home residents as a way to remind them

they are seen, loved, and remembered. Since its founding, Caring by Card has sent thousands of cards across 33 U.S. states and seven countries worldwide—spreading kindness, compassion, and connection one card at a time.

Follow Caring by Card @caringbycard

https://caringbycard.com

SSW Students Serving Those Who Served: Mobile Pantry Brings Essentials to Veterans

BSW students Sierra Sacco, Ashley Keevan, Brianna Balsamo, and Kelly Cano-Reyes, along with MSW student Rumbidzai Kangira Mate, recently participated in the Veterans Resource Fair & Food Distribution event hosted by Long Island Cares. The students were part of a dedicated team that helped distribute food and connect veterans and their families with essential services and support. their involvement highlights the ongong commitment of social work students to community engagement and advocacy for underserved populations.

“The gratitude expressed by the veterans and community members upon receiving supplies was truly heartwarming. Long Island Cares' initiatives extend beyond providing essential resources-they foster meaningful connections and create opportunities for individuals to engage with one another, helping to combat the isolation that many homeless veterans face. I strongly encourage my fellow social workers to volunteer whenever possible, as their support can make a profound difference in the lives of those in need”, said Rumbidzai Kangira-Mate, who is currently interning at SBU’s Office of Military and Veteran Student Services.

Theater as a Lens for Connection - A Day in the Life of SSW Students

Students in Alice Bergmann, LCSW, and Ken Edwards, LCSW’s Special Topics in Social Welfare: Narrative Toolbox course attended a performance of 7 Fingers/ Duel Reality at the Staller Center on Saturday, April 12. The assignment invited students to witness story-telling through a live theatrical experience—and to reflect on how stories are heard and shared in community. That same day, several students from the class also hosted a watch party, exploring storytelling from the African American/Black cultural perspective through a powerful film from August Wilson’s Century Cycle.

“It was a wonderful and enriching day and evening of hearing presentational styles of story in community—and experiencing it within Stony Brook University’s vibrant arts culture,” said Bergmann.

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Dr. Anna Hayward and colleagues from Rutgers University-Newark and Mentes Puertorriqueñas en Acción — a participatory civic action organization working with young people to generate projects for the transformation of Puerto Rico — presented their work at Terrestrial Futures: Struggles and Reflections in Mayagüez, a LASA Puerto Rico conference, on March 27.

The group presented Charting Futures: Puerto Rican Young Adults Through a QuantCrit Lens.

SSW Alumni Mentors Participate in Networking Event

Earlier this month, three alumni from the School of Social Welfare participated in the annual SBU Alumni Association and Career Center Networking Mixer. Their involvement showcased the continued engagement of SSW graduates in fostering professional connections and supporting current students as they navigate their career paths. The event offered a valuable opportunity for SBU students and alumni to connect, exchange career advice, and share professional experiences. Alumni mentors engaged with student mentees, offering insights into their career paths and guidance for navigating the job market. Students were encouraged to move freely between tables, each representing one of seven Career Communities—from Arts & Communications to IT, Engineering, and Healthcare—allowing them to explore different fields and hear advice from professionals in their areas of interest.

The participating alums included Keara O’Bryen MSW, ’22; BSW, 21; John Parks, MSW, ’23 and Tiffany Hervas, MSW, ‘14

Co-Sponsored by the Campus Beautification Committee & HSC Library

Learn more about the Campus Beautification Committee:

https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/campus-beautification/

2025-2026 SAMHSA funded CSWE MFP Award is now open!

MSW fellowship Opportunity for Final Year or Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Students Committed to Mental Health Services to Underserved Communities.

All current first year students who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply by the May 19 deadline.

Did You Know?

For 6 years, at least 1 of our MSW students has been awarded and they benefited greatly from the mentorship, free professional development opportunities, attendance to CSWE conference, and generous stipend during their second year.

Interested students can also contact

Dr. Melissa Bessaha at Melissa.Bessaha@stonybrook.edu

More information about applying can be found here.