Social Work Community Connection

Students in the Social Work department’s “Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities” spent the end of their semester out of the classroom and in the community. As part of their final exam for the course, students participated in the annual Joseph’s House Winter Walk for the Homeless. Joseph’s House and Shelter, Inc. is a Troy community-based, not for profit corporation whose purpose is to prevent and alleviate homelessness.

This semester’s 18 students created t-shirts, bookmarks with candy canes to hand out as they walked and posters to carry. They also developed a public relations piece to be given to Joseph’s House for next year’s walk.

Giving back to the community has become a tradition in the “Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities” course, taught by Donna McIntosh, MSW, professor of social work. Each year, the class begins the course by participating in the Alzheimer’s Walk in September and closes out the semester with Joseph’s House event.

But, the students’ commitment to Joseph’s House goes deeper than this final project. Annamae Fingar ’17, is completing 400 hours of field placement with the organization, and Alexandra Vincent ’18, is completing 50 hours. Siena’s Social Work club also organized a clothing drive for the Joseph’s House community.

"Working with Joseph's House & Shelter has been one of the most rewarding and life changing experiences I have had thus far during my time here at Siena,” said Vincent. “The organization tirelessly works to advocate for and resolve the ongoing issue of homelessness and utilizes a unique approach that involves treating each person with dignity and respect while also promoting self-determination. Having the opportunity to intern at Joseph's House and participate in the annual Winter Walk truly opened my eyes to how important it is to give back to the community by giving a voice to such a persistent problem.”

Troy Record: Winter Walk participants take steps to aid shelter