Social work students from the University of Michigan-Flint joined other students and professionals from across the state in Lansing on Nov. 11 for the Legislative, Education & Advocacy Day conference and to learn more about current social advocacy efforts in Michigan.

They participated in workshops on difficult and complex social issues, while connecting with social workers and civil rights advocates at the event. Following the conference of more than 950 attendees, UM-Flint students were inspired with ideas to implement social change along their own academic and career paths.

The students were able to attend the LEAD conference thanks to the Olivia P. Maynard Training Fund. This endowed fund provides financial support for training and networking opportunities for students in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program. Both Olivia “Libby” Maynard and S. Olof Karlstrom are strong supporters of UM-Flint and also have a tuition scholarship fund in their name that is available for social work students.

The LEAD event began with an inspirational speech from long-time civil rights advocate and former Congressman Ronald Dellums, MSW.

“Your generation must be engaged,” Dellums said, providing moving examples from his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.  “Your greatest enemy is an enemy that challenges your idealism and enthusiasm. You have to fight cynicism.”

Workshops included topics on human trafficking, school expulsion, the Take on Hate Campaign, recovery advocacy, immigrants and refugees, political and legal factors in social work, and more.

Issues related to poverty, the criminal justice system, mental health, and school expulsion interested many of the students who participated.

Michelle Makowski spoke with Dellums following his speech, asking him about the likelihood that her generation can create a new policy on poverty. “He said yes, it can be done,” she said. She hopes to focus her career path on poverty-related issues in intercultural social work.

Student Mike Bowman, also a U.S. Army Veteran, is interested in conducting research as a social worker to improve living conditions for veterans. “People need to understand that once you take ownership of a problem, then you can try to solve it,” he said.

Sherrodd Rison, wants to work with adolescents who may be at risk for entering the prison system. He also wants to find ways to increase opportunities for both educated and uneducated convicted felons who cannot find stable employment after their release. “There is criminal justice system reform, but what about opportunity reform?” he said.

Seniors Felicia James and Stephanie Hagstrom also attended criminal justice sessions. “I liked the discussion about bridging the gaps between social work and law enforcement,” Felicia said. They hope to see more social work training opportunities for officers.

The criminal justice workshops prompted student David Courter to talk about the impact of economics and business on human rights on the criminal justice system. David decided to pursue a social work career later in life and has experience as a business consultant and as a minister. “Somehow we need to find a way to counteract the idea that punishment is a business,” he said.  “We need a shift for how social workers look at the issues of justice, which has to include economics in the U.S.”

The LEAD conference is sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers, Michigan chapter.  In addition to up-to-date training and networking opportunities for students, the event also offers continuing education credits to licensed professionals.