Empower the Next Generation of Social Workers

The stakes are high in social work. Professionals help individuals and communities to be strong and resilient as they navigate complex personal and societal challenges. Because real-world practice and coaching are vital to developing the skill and grit needed for this important work, internships are indispensable in social work education; however, most social work internships are unpaid. Social work attracts a large percentage of first-generation students and nontraditional students who are heads of household. This means students often rely on paid employment to get them through their education, making it difficult to complete a full-time unpaid internship. Unpaid internships create financial strain, threaten student success and degree completion, and cause burnout, exacerbating shortages of the well-trained social workers individuals and communities need to achieve their full potential. Your gift helps social workers make ends meet during their internships, alleviating stress and helping them complete their degrees with lower student debt.