51社区

Fifteen social service agencies from West Tennessee such as Life Choices, Tennessee Baptist Children's Home, Carl Perkins Center, the Women's Resource and Rape Assistance Program, and Pathways Behavioral Health Services will have booths on display. Professional social workers will be available to talk with students and a silent auction and bake sale will be held to raise money for the Student Association of Social Workers (SASW).

The SASW hopes to accomplish several things through the different activities offered throughout the day.

"Because the social work program at Union is relatively new," said SASW faculty advisor and Union's social work program director Mary Ann Poe, "the main purpose of this day is to educate the campus about what social work is - serving the population that is disadvantaged."

Poe also added that the event gives the social service agencies represented an opportunity to show connections between the campus and the community.

SASW raises support through funds raised from the bake sale and the silent auction. Last year they raised almost $1000 which was used towards service projects. This year some of the money earned will go towards a scholarship fund for social work majors. Items in the silent auction will include artwork, boutique items, decorations, gift certificates, and more. Businesses and individuals that are interested in donating items to the auction can contact Mary Ann Poe (901) 661-5404.

"SASW's biggest goal is to let other students know what social workers do," said Ellen Penny, president of SASW. "There are many negative misconceptions about social workers, and we want to be able to show the campus the career opportunities and the positive aspects of social work."