tier of oppressors including
Coyotes (the persons who guide
them across for a hefty fee),
desert bandits, human traffick-
ers, and the Mexican Drug Car-
tel. I have focused the past
months on learning about these
issues; meeting with affected
people, evaluating local media
information, making profes-
sional connections, and attend-
ing community events. I’ve
been traveling to the Nogales
border assisting with Kino Bor-
der Initiative program develop-
ment, particularly focusing on
designing protocols, methods
and tools to evaluate activities.
Last month I completed a paper
entitled, Bringing Catholic Social
Teaching to the Border. I antici-
pate using some of the paper’s
principles to guide curricular
infusion of Catholic Social
Teaching in a variety of social
justice courses.
Personal enrichment activities
have been exciting and varied.
Upon my arrival, I found oppor-
tunity to join a monthly Parker
Palmer reading group, discuss-
ing his book Let Your Life Speak.
In late August, I took a 6 day trip
to Washington D.C. meeting
with the Director of Public
Policy and Programs of Jesuit
Refugee Services. I also spent
time with a gentleman who is
(continued on back page)
Three months and two thou-
sand miles later, I find myself on
my sabbatical journey in sunny
Tucson, Arizona, 75 miles north
of the Mexico border. So you
might be asking the two famous
questions I am asked wherever I
go, “What is it like living in Ari-
zona?” and “What is a sabbati-
cal?” The first question is much
easier than the second, though
both are definitely unpredict-
able, exciting journeys. Yes,
Arizona is really different than
Minnesota. When I put on my
hiking shoes and sunscreen to
prepare for my morning walk,
the 80 degree weather beats 40
degree digits in MN hands
down. Everywhere you look
there are cactus, mountains,
dove and quail families, darting
geckos, and lots of dirt. No
lawn mowers here. It’s some-
times hot and dry, with the
most predictably beautiful pink
and purple sun sets ever seen.
Sixty minutes into the moun-
tains, I can don a jacket for 50
degree weather and explore
amongst beautiful mountain
aspen and pine. Everyone
wears sandals; most need more
driving lessons; ‘Espanol’ is
everywhere; you can have free
avocados on your Subway sand-
wich, ‘pollo’ (chicken) fast food
is attached to names like feliz
and loco. There are wonderful
music, art, markets and ethnic
festivities. Water never comes
out of the tap very cold. The
word ‘coyote’ takes on new
meaning (more about that
later), and I’ve yet to see a mos-
quito. (I have seen a rattler skin
and a very animated scorpion.) I
can regularly count on unsolic-
ited commentary on my “Minn-
e-so-ta” accent with reference
to Fargo. It’s made me very
careful not to say “ya bettcha”.
Understanding the concept of
‘sabbatical’ has been a journey
in itself. I think I’m redefining
the experience every day.
Along with recently becoming
an empty-nester, I have no
office to go to, no phone calls to
return, papers to grade, stu-
dents to advise; disciplining
myself to set my day’s activi-
ties. ‘Sabbatical’ is described as,
“a leave from regular work,
taking time for research, study,
acquire new skills, travel; taking
time to restore and rest, re-
evaluate one’s life.” One blog
entry I found remarked on a
sabbatical as an experience that
was both exhilarating and
frightening. Believe it or not,
sabbatical time takes regular
planning. Arizona has proven a
wonderful sabbatical environ-
ment.
This political year has been one
of significant economic and
social justice crisis for the state
of Arizona. Arizona was re-
cently identified as having the
second highest poverty rate in
the nation and being one of the
top tier countries for mass
home foreclosures, education
budget cuts, and water resource
challenges. With a reported
500,000 undocumented mi-
grants in the state, media sen-
sation of border violence be-
tween Mexican Cartel, an identi-
fication of 254 desert crosser
deaths in the past year, 2.4
billion dollars spent on building
670 miles of border fencing on a
2,000 mile border, and 120 tons
of marijuana seized in the past
month, Arizona has become a
state with political turmoil and
challenging humanitarian con-
cerns. Undocumented migrants
attempting to cross the rugged
desert terrain must deal with a
Sabbatical Adventures from Marcia Runnberg, Social Work Program Coordinator
St. Paul Social Work Scoop
From the patio of Marcia Runnberg,
Social Work Program Coordinator
Inside this issue:
Doin’ It in the
Field
2
Focus on Field 2
Meet the Faculty 3
Classroom Connec-
tions
3
Hollaback 3
January, 2011 Volume 1, Issue 5
Take Note:
Apply online at http://
www.css.edu/Academics/
School-of-Health-
Sciences/Social-Work/St-
Paul-campus/Application-
to-Program.html
Info/Orientation sessions
coming! (See page 3)
Marcia and Nancy Fitzgerald at
the Kino Border Initiative
in Nogales, Mexico.
December is a time to reflect on
the year that has gone by and
prepare for the New Year to
come. In December we gradu-
ated 12 seniors! I am so proud of
our graduates and all the hard
work they have put forth to
achieve their goals of obtaining
an undergraduate social work
degree. Way to go gang!! We
accepted 19 students into the
program this last September and
they are now preparing to begin
Preparation for Field I. In this
course students begin to identify
the craft of the social work pro-
fession. Students will learn the
importance of a well structured
resume, how to interview for a
field placement, the importance
of self-awareness and self care,
and how to build professional
relationships in the field. Stu-
dents also learn about how the
new core competencies are inte-
grated into their field experience
and the stages of development
that they will experience through
out their practicum experience.
Students will begin interviewing
for their Field I practicum in late
January/early February, 2011. I
look forward to working with
many of our field instructors this
coming spring!
A new exciting program that we
kicked off this fall was our men-
toring program. Our mentoring
program is a two tier process.
We recognized that our incoming
juniors needed additional support
and guidance with getting organ-
ized, coping with the intensity of
our accelerated program, and
fine tuning their professional
writing skills. To assist with these
needs volunteers from the senior
class offered up their time to
mentor juniors. Seniors identified
the need to learn more about the
licensing process, applying for
graduate school, and obtaining
employment after graduation.
To support our seniors many
alumni agreed to mentor seniors
during their final months prior to
graduation. Feedback to date
has been very positive! We actu-
ally have more mentors on file
then mentees! We will host an
appreciation breakfast in January
2011 to reward all those that have
partaken in our mentoring pro-
gram.
Finally, I want to thank those
field partners that came in to
present in SWK 3370 Generalist
Social Work Practice this fall. I
was able to teach this course
while Marcia Runnberg, Program
Coordinator, has been on sab-
batical. I felt the need to intro-
duce students to the various
agencies and services available in
the twin cities metro area. Our
speakers introduced students to
their agency, the types of pro-
grams/services offered and the
internship opportunities avail-
able. I hope to structure this class
the same next year! Very special
thanks to Pheng Thoa, AWUM;
Shawyn Lee, GLBTA Programs
Office at the U of M; Lorna
Leistikow, Ramsey County Care
Center; and Sara Schlegelmilch,
Brain Injury Association of MN.
As another year comes to an end,
I reflect on the wonderful rela-
tionships that I have been able to
build and foster with those that
have committed to being a part
of our field education program. I
am grateful for those field in-
structors that have committed
their time and expertise to our
field program. The success of our
program is attributed to all their
hard work! I wish you all a
healthy and happy new year!
Doin’ It in the Field
an intern at Wilder. Judy’s
breadth of experience in provid-
ing services to children and fami-
lies in St. Paul gives her the ability
to assist an intern like myself, to
continually see the big picture
when it comes to serving families
in need.
Judy started her career in Foster
Care. She worked in the county
system prior to coming to Wilder,
where she licensed Foster Homes.
Judy then developed an aftercare
program for children coming out
of residential treatment. These
two areas of experience prepared
her for the Program Director role
at Bush Memorial Children’s Cen-
ter. Her comment was “I knew
what children needed when they
were coming out of treatment,
now I can prepare children in
treatment, how to transition
home” (personal communication,
October 11, 2010).
Bush Memorial Children’s Resi-
dential treatment center also
happens to be where
St.Scholastica’s very own, Jenni-
fer Gervais, Social Work Field
Coordinator, completed her in-
ternship. Judy was also Jennifer’s
undergraduate social work field
instructor and was her first con-
tact when she became the field
coordinator at CSS.
Focus on Field — Thirty Years of Service —
I was asked to share my intern-
ship experience regarding my
junior field supervisor, Judy Ohm.
Judy has her B.A. in Social Work
and to me, is an example of what
it means to truly be a genuine
social worker. As I began my
internship, I soon learned that
Judy has many roles and goes
above and beyond what her job
title entails. Through my senior
internship, I have continued to
learn about Judy’s colorful and
long experience at the Wilder
Foundation. Judy is completing
her 30th year with Wilder. I
wanted to share her knowledge
as it relates to my experience as
Page 2 St. Paul Social Work Scoop
Jennifer Gervais MSW, LICSW Social Work Field Coordinator The College of St. Scholastica 340 Cedar St. St. Paul, MN 55101 651-403-8631 [email protected]
Judy Ohm
The Proud 2010 Grads!!
Front Row: Kristina Wolfe, Tami Costley, Mary Thompson, Maria Hipkins, Tes Belachew
Back Row: Angel Ertle, Megan Rodri-guez, Nancy Wiedmeyer, Amanda Palmer, Kainani Bye, Ashley DePover
Dr. Jane Yank
Dr. Jane Yank, is a clinical social
worker and psychologist with
experience providing medical
social work, counseling, and train-
ing in corporate, not-for-profit,
county, and Federal agencies.
Currently, she serves cancer pa-
tients and their families and offers
psychotherapy to adults through
Fairview. Her special research
interests include the effect of
stress on handwriting. Having
studied for her MA and PhD as a
mid-career adult, she is interested
in the challenges faced by non-
traditional students and strategies
that help them succeed.
Dr. Yank will teach her first class at
CSS during the upcoming Spring I
term. Welcome to the Social
Work Department at The College
of St. Scholastica—St. Paul!
LGSW exam in September. We are
so proud of all of you!!
Thanks to Meredith Pedroza for
sharing her good news as she was
named Counselor of the Month at
Avanti. Way to go Meredith!!
Nicole Hendrickson recently ac-
cepted a supervisor position at The
Villages of North Branch, a sister
Please send us your good news—
we love hearing from you!
Congratulations are in order for
these CSS SWK alums — Nicole
Hendrickson and Angela Marti on
passing their LSW exams this fall;
Bree Meduna who graduated from
Monmouth University in May with
her Masters Degree and passed her
facility to Parmly, one of our part-
nering agencies. Melanie
(Swaner) Christiansen accepted a
position as the new Program Coor-
dinator/QMRP with Fraser in
Bloomington. She will be oversee 2
residental houses with a total of 8
residents and 16-20 staff mem-
bers. Congratulations to all of you!!
Meet the Fantastic Faculty
Hollaback — Alumni news and notes
Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 5
Project Coordinator, shared with students the programs offered at Centro and the internship opportuni-ties available. We are very apprecia-tive of their time and commitment to further our student’s education!
Our SWK 4470 Independent Profes-sional Projects course this year pro-duced 4 research projects. We were able to work with 3 local agencies; AWUM, MN AIDS Project, and Volun-teers of America’s Avanti Program. Students presented their research projects December 16. If your agency is interested in partnering with us for a research project please contact Jennifer Gervais at 651-403-8631.
At the end of every senior year we honor our graduates and field instruc-tors by inviting them to Dixie’s on Grand in St. Paul. At this dinner stu-dents introduce their field instructors, share their most memorable stories, and what they will take away from the experience. During this dinner, social work faculty welcome seniors to the social work profession by presenting them with a special pin. Faculty also present seniors with fun awards that highlight a student’s personality/characteristic while in the program.
In SWK 3370 Generalist Social Work Practice this fall juniors were able to tour two local agencies; Neighbor-hood House in West St. Paul, and Centro in Minneapolis. At Neighbor-hood House students were able to learn about the multi-cultural services offered, and learn how mezzo and macro level programming affects individuals on a micro level. Neighborhood House is located in the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Commu-nity Center. Students posed for a photo in the rotunda where many of the cultural populations have artwork and murals displayed. Special thanks to Jenny Javitch for taking the time educate our students!
At Centro students were able to tour a Day of the Dead exhibit, learn about the how the current recession has impacted the Latino population in their community, and enjoy a catered dinner from Salsa A La Salsa. Marlon Ferrey, Cultural & Arts Coordinator and Juventina Navarro, Truancy
Calendar Notes
Priority Deadline for SWK
Applications—March 1, 2011
Upcoming info sessions: Feb. 8 5-7:00 p.m. Orientation session for Spring: Jan. 6 5:30-7:00 p.m. Social Work Schedule: Spring Term I & II Jan. 18-Mar. 10 Mar. 14-May 6 Summer TermI & II May 23-July 8 July 11-Aug. 26 Classroom Connections — A Busy Semester
The Border Battle is always a popular event!! After the wearing of the purple last year, Jennifer was proud to be wear-ing the green this year—twice, no less!! Ashley—well, not so much!!
Mary Thompson introduces her field
instructor.
Proud Seniors!
Back Row: Angel Ertle, Nancy Wiedmeyer, Mary Thompson, Ash-ley DePover, Megan Rodriguez, Kainani Bye, Becky Lindquist, Maria Hipkins
Front Row: Kristina Wolfe, Tami Costley, Amanda Palmer
Senior Field Appreciation Dinner
Becky Lindquist, Kainani Bye & Kristina Wolfe present on the MN AIDS Project.
of experience in servicing children
and families is now a lifetime of
building, supporting and sustain-
ing programs. In all of this, Judy
continues to believe that serving
families one day at a time is what
keeps her going and that each
day is a gift in the lives of the
children and families we serve.
She has a real passion and true
commitment to assisting children
and their families.
My experience with Judy has been
nothing short of amazing; she is
all the many roles a social worker
can be wrapped in one. I have
watched her advocate for services
in the community in the morning
and later in the afternoon help
with bathroom breaks in the
classroom. I feel grateful to have
had this wonderful opportunity to
intern with Judy and aspire to one
day be a social worker of her
magnitude.
Thirty Years of Service (continued from
page 2)
Judy’s experience at Bush trans-
ferred to Juvenile Horizons, a
residential and day treatment
program for teen mothers and
their babies. This was a multiple
service program. It was a residen-
tial and day treatment program
with a child care center and a
Level 5 school program. Judy
delivered her first step-
grandbaby! A short stint in facili-
tating a training series for Foster
Parents on the topic of Reactive
Attachment Disorder for the next
two years, prepared her for her
next stop. She is currently at the
Child Development Center, which
is where I was granted the privi-
lege of doing my undergraduate
junior internship.
Since 2005, Judy has been the
Director at the Center; in 2008 her
responsibilities broadened to
Early Childhood Services through-
out the Foundation. Thirty years
Sabbatical Adventures (continued from
front page)
an archivist for the Holocaust
Museum and is writing a novel
about border crossings. This
month I had the fortune to spend
time with Nancy Fitzgerald and
her husband. Nancy is a retired
English Dept. faculty member and
poet from C.S.S. who resides in
Tucson during the fall and winter
months. She lives in an inten-
tional community of retired
teachers. Last week I began a
watercolor painting class with 15
‘elder’ members and sat in on a
memoir writing course that
Nancy teaches to twenty students
between 75 and 90 years of age.
Several of the community mem-
bers have asked if I would take
them on an immersion experience
to the K.B.I. border program in
Nogales, Mexico and conduct a
community presentation on mi-
grant crossing issues. Traveling
with a group of seniors to the
Focus on Field — (continued) Sabbatical Adventures — (continued)
340 Cedar Street
Suite 50
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: 651-298-1015
Toll Free: 888-298-4723
Fax: 651-298-8532
Social Work Program
The St. Paul Campus
Direction for Life....
We’re on the Web
http://css.edu/Academics/
School-of-Health-Sciences/
Social-Work.html
border will definitely be interest-
ing.
Last night I attended a dinner
sponsored by a national aviation
mission organization which pro-
vides basic needs assistance to
remote indigenous villages in
Latin America. Gracia Burnham
was the key note speaker. (She is
author of In the Presence of Mine
Enemies; Gracia and her husband
Martin were held captive in the
Phillipines for over a year in 2001
by a radical contra Muslim group;
Martin was killed.) Gracia’s pres-
entation reminded me that the
virtues of Christian love, compas-
sion, forgiveness, healing, and
self-sacrifice are still operating
amidst human pain and injustice.
Tonight I am off to the ‘All Souls
Procession’, a nationally recog-
nized event with over 10,000
persons gathering parade-style in
the Latin celebration of the Day
of the Dead. I hear it is an experi-
ence not to be missed!