NW Valley Times

Grand Canyon University social work students took part in a nationwide initiative called Social Services Week, which aimed to provide assistance to various communities across the United States. The event occurred near the end of November and involved online students from GCU participating in numerous volunteer activities.

The students engaged in diverse acts of service, including serving food in Yuma, distributing coats in Alaska, and providing blankets to women in El Paso. They also contributed by gardening for children in New Jersey and preparing meals for those in need in Maryland.

The collective efforts were showcased on a virtual wall displaying photos and summaries of the contributions made by these students. One student expressed joy at bringing happiness to others through their service. Marla Jones, a third-year social work student, highlighted her experience decorating a Christmas tree at Healing House KC. She praised the center's peer support system as "phenomenal."

Jones emphasized the importance of volunteering within social work education: “I can’t see getting a social work education if you are selfish and self-centered,” she said.

Colin Witherspoon, GCU's social work faculty chair, noted that 215 undergraduate and graduate students participated along with many online faculty members. He remarked on the rapid growth of their program, which has necessitated frequent hiring of new faculty.

Dr. Magalie Nicolas, an online full-time faculty member who volunteered during Thanksgiving meal drives in Miami, Florida, shared her perspective on the initiative: “What was really neat about it was we were all doing it at the same time," she said. "It had a wonderful learning side and a service side.”

Students also participated by serving lunch at detox facilities and engaging with community members through gestures such as handing out cards reading “God loves you.” Their activities included adopting kittens from animal rescues and offering free babysitting services for single mothers.

This effort reflected the core values of social work by focusing on giving back to underserved communities.