Community volunteers: Students preparing for a life of social work
ENVISION Magazine, 2004
The Social Work Student Organization (SWSO) is one of the largest student organizations on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus. SWSO has a strong record of supporting worthwhile community projects and learning organizational skills within the social work field since its inception in 1995.
"Everything from adopt-a-grandparent to students saving pennies as a fund raiser for the Milwaukee Women's Center," says Mike Wallace, lecturer of social work. Wallace and Tim Reutebuch, assistant professor of social work, serve as advisors for the SWSO.
In a project titled Urban Experience, students actually stay in a Milwaukee church while doing volunteer work at the church and at a neighboring school.
Another unique service learning project conducted by SWSO is Pass It On. This end-of-the-semester project helps recycle food and clothing items that UW‑Whitewater students normally discard. The organization donates recycled goods to 12 to 14 local agencies - from food pantries to shelters.
The Social Work Student Organizations recently won the 2002 Chancellor's Achievement Award and the Outstanding Publicity Award in the spring of 2003. ? Tom Pattison