Catholic Charities received the distinguished honor as Community Partner of the Year for their commitment to university students in the School of Social Work. The Catholic Charities Higher Education Student Investment Program offers selected students intensive supervision and training to Master’s degree level graduate students at local universities. This program includes a Community Practice Social Work Track which engages students in organizational, community, and policy activities, and a Clinical Counseling Track which provides students the opportunity to engage in multiple direct service counseling programs with individuals, families and groups.
“This program has given me insight into the inner workings of one of the most successful non-profit organizations in the Inland Counties,” said MSW Intern Samuel Hanna when asked about his experience in the Higher Education Student Investment Program. “Through hands on application, direct instruction, and group mentorship I’ve gained a wealth of experience that I could not have gotten anywhere else.”
Said Catholic Charities CEO and Executive Director Ken Sawa, “Our common goal is actually succession planning – not for Cal State nor Catholic Charities –but for our local communities that desperately need well-educated and well-trained social work professionals now and in the future.”
In addition to the Higher Education Student Investment Program, Catholic Charities’ Non-Profit Fellowship Program provides four social work students with 50% tuition assistance and mentoring each year. The purpose of the Non-Profit Fellowship Program is to develop future leadership in the field of non-profit social services.
“I believe a true collaborative partnership is based on mutual respect of one another and each partner offering something important toward the achievement of a common goal. I am pleased to say that Catholic Charities and CSUSB share in such a strong partnership, and together we are achieving a vital goal,” stated Sawa.