Area Teens Complete Social Work Camp at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. —  Thirty-five high-school juniors and seniors recently completed a six-week camp at The University of Alabama and gained insight into social work careers and social work agency internship experience.

The National Social Work Enrichment Workshop, funded by the Department of Human Resources, returned to The University of Alabama this year to host its annual summer camp, a program designed to introduce high-school students to social work as a potential college major and career choice.

Over the duration of the camp, which concluded July 17 with a luncheon at the Bryant Conference Center, students earned stipends by working with local United Way agencies, said Dr. Sebrena Jackson, NSEP founder.

“NSEP, the number of students we’ve had, and the number of campus visits have increased over the last few years,” Jackson said. “The curriculum has been updated, too. We’ve also partnered with Toastmasters, and they help the students with public speaking.”

The students who participated at UA – Alabama State, Alabama A&M and Albany State (Ga.) have also hosted NSEP camps – are foster children who are enrolled in the Independent Living Program, a Department of Human Resources program aimed to guide youth toward success as adults.

The camp’s enrollment at UA has grown from 16 students in 2012 to 35 in 2015.

Students worked with selected agencies from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Wednesday each week of the program. They returned home each weekend.

“The students stayed in Ridgecrest East and attend classes in Little Hall,” Jackson said. “(School of Social Work) Dean Vikki Vandiver and Assistant Dean Javonda Williams have been very active and supportive in talking with the students. Financial aid and admission on campus have been helpful.”

“This program has provided faculty and staff members the opportunity to cultivate healthy positive relationships with youth in the foster care system,” Williams said. “The NSEP Program has provided job opportunities for UA students and provided service and volunteer hours to Tuscaloosa social service agencies.  This partnership has been better than a win-win situation; it has been a win-win-win.”