Faculty of Social Work News Archive

March 19, 2025 — 
Two University of Manitoba students are getting a little extra help in achieving their educational goals, all thanks to Jelly Roll. The popular country singer, best known for his songs “Son of a Sinner” and “Need A Favor,” performed a concert in Winnipeg Monday night. Deandra Courchene and Briana Knott were on the floor holding signs, asking him to help them pay their student loans. The pair is studying social work at the University of Manitoba. A video posted by Courchene online shows Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, pausing the show and having the house lights turned on to address her and Knott. “I’ll tell you what - you don’t got any student loans no more. I’m going to pay them off,” he said to cheers from the audience. “I’m kind of still in disbelief on what happened,” said Courchene. “I woke up this morning and thought it was just a dream.”

March 17, 2025 — 
Monika Touzin, MSW student, shares her experience taking an advanced practice field placement at the Legal Help Centre. How did you select the right placement for you? When first meeting with staff of the Legal Help Centre (LHC), I knew that their organization would be the right fit for my final social work practicum placement. My conversation reflected LHC’s vast knowledge on the social issues commonly confronted by clients at LHC and the care the staff put into the work they do. Furthermore, they showed how much they valued the role of the social work student in the organization.   What would a day at your placement look like? What role did you play? One of the main points of contact for clients is through drop-in clinics. These clinics are offered twice a week on a first-come, first-served basis. Clients meet with a law student, discuss their legal issue, and are provided with legal information and referrals. Due to the interrelated nature of social and legal issues, clients may also meet with me as the social work student. Once I gain an understanding of the social issue, I then provide them with a referral to a community organization that can help address the issue.

March 13, 2025 — 
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has award $125,000 in funding for a community-led project that aims to tackle the harmful effects of racism and colonialism in Manitoba’s systems that are leading to increased HIV risks. UM researcher Dr. Rusty Souleymanov, associate dean and associate professor, faculty of social work, and director, Village Lab, is leading a team of stakeholders, scholars, and community leaders from across Canada in research that will drive structural change by fostering policy reforms, anti-racist health systems, and community-led solutions. This project titled “Community-Led Structural Interventions to Improve HIV/STBBI Outcomes and Dismantle Structural Racism and Colonialism Affecting Indigenous, Black, and Racialized Communities in Manitoba” was ranked top 3rd in applications submitted to CIHR’s Moving Upstream: Structural Determinants of Health - Catalyst Grants.

January 13, 2025 — 
Three Manitoba CFS agencies issue strike mandates

January 8, 2025 — 
Update from President Benarroch on public statements

December 9, 2024 — 
This fall, a cohort of social work students participated in an interprofessional learning experience with the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. This event emphasized the importance of social work practice in addressing the intersection of individuals and their environments in healthcare settings.  During the event, a screening of Falling Through the Cracks: Greg’s Story, depicted the tragic death of Greg Price and highlighted systemic issues in healthcare, including the need for improved communication.  “‘Greg’s Wings’ provided a meaningful learning experience for students, particularly in the context of healthcare collaboration and the challenges faced within this system,” said Vicki Verge, Instructor and Faculty-Field Liaison, Faculty of Social Work.  

December 6, 2024 — 
A Manitoba First Nation is helping to bridge the gap in health-care services not only for its members, but for multiple surrounding Interlake communities. The Pinaymootang Health Centre helps care for thousands of Manitobans every year, but nearly half of its clientele comes from outside Pinaymootang First Nation. "We see 47 per cent of clients that come in from various areas," health director Gwen Traverse said. "Whether the surrounding First Nations or the non-Indigenous communities that utilize our services." Gwen Traverse is currently a student in the Distance Delivery Southern Cohort BSW program.

September 4, 2024 — 
In a collaborative effort to raise awareness about water justice and injustices, Senior Fellow and Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Arts Dr. Adele Perry spearheads an interdisciplinary research project titled “Just Waters: Thinking with Hydro-Social Relations for a More Just and Sustainable World.”

July 31, 2024 — 
Community feedback and participation welcome

June 6, 2024 — 
The University of Manitoba is pleased to announce that Dr. Peter Donahue has been appointed Dean of the Faculty of Social Work, effective August 1, 2024.