food insecurity https://nursing.gmu.edu/ en CHHS Departments Compete in FACETS Donation Drive in Recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month https://nursing.gmu.edu/news/2021-12/chhs-departments-compete-facets-donation-drive-recognition-domestic-violence-awareness <span>CHHS Departments Compete in FACETS Donation Drive in Recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month</span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/421" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="John Brandon Cantrell">John Brandon C…</span></span> <span>Thu, 12/02/2021 - 10:37</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class='field__items'> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1656" hreflang="en">Giving</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2171" hreflang="en">Nonprofits</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/926" hreflang="en">Community Engagement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1016" hreflang="en">Domestic Violence</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1921" hreflang="en">food insecurity</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><h4><span><span><em><span>357 nonperishable food items and cleaning supplies were donated to local families in need </span></em></span></span></h4> <figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq271/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2021-12/IMG_0357.JPG?itok=aSH8Huh2" width="350" height="309" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>The School of Nursing and the Department of Rehabilitation Science came in first place with 103 items donated.</figcaption></figure><p><span><span><span>Members of the Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) honored survivors of domestic violence during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month by organizing a donation drive competition. The month-long college-wide donation drive collected approximately 357 items across the College of Health and Human Service’s (CHHS) five departments, a testament to the CHHS community’s commitment to helping those in need.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Kendall Hunter, president of MSWSA, was motivated to organize the donation drive because many survivors of domestic violence experience financial and housing instability, which also impacts children who live in households with domestic violence and may need to relocate with a parent who is seeking safety.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Hunter said, "Through our studies, social work students have learned about the intersection between domestic violence, homelessness/housing instability, and financial instability. The MSWSA also recognizes the impact domestic violence has on children's emotional well-being, social functioning, and academic functioning." </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Each CHHS department participated in the competition to collect the most nonperishable food items and cleaning supplies for <a href="http://facetscares.org/" target="_blank">FACETS</a>, a Fairfax nonprofit organization that provides services to families, such as food, emergency shelter, medical care, and safe housing. MSWSA set up labeled donation bins in the lobby of Peterson Hall so participants could conveniently donate items for their department as they walk to class. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Thank you to MSWSA for organizing the donation drive and to the students, faculty, and staff who have participated in the competition to support survivors of domestic violence. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>“I am moved by our students launching a competition in support of providing food and supplies for those most in need in our communities,” said Dean Germaine Louis.</span></span></span></p> <h4><span><span><strong><span>Results of the Donation Drive Competition</span></strong></span></span></h4> <ol><li><span><span><span><span>School of Nursing &amp; Department of Rehabilitation Science - 103 items donated, in addition to a $25 Amazon gift card</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Department of Social Work - 83 items donated</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Department of Nutrition &amp; Food Studies - 64 items donated</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Department of Global &amp; Community Health - 57 items donated</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Department of Health Administration &amp; Policy - 50 items donated</span></span></span></span></li> </ol></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 02 Dec 2021 15:37:25 +0000 John Brandon Cantrell 2271 at https://nursing.gmu.edu CHHS Faculty Constance Gewa to Present on Food Sustainability at 17 Rooms-U Summit https://nursing.gmu.edu/news/2021-05/chhs-faculty-constance-gewa-present-food-sustainability-17-rooms-u-summit <span>CHHS Faculty Constance Gewa to Present on Food Sustainability at 17 Rooms-U Summit</span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/421" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="John Brandon Cantrell">John Brandon C…</span></span> <span>Wed, 05/26/2021 - 17:19</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class='field__items'> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2061" hreflang="en">Food and Nutrition</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1921" hreflang="en">food insecurity</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><h3>Constance Gewa Set to Speak on Food Sustainability in Upcoming 17 Rooms-U Summit.</h3> <p class="MsoNormal">Constance Gewa, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, will be speaking on methods to increase food sustainability in an upcoming event, the 17 Rooms-U Summit, held by Mason’s <a href="https://ise.gmu.edu/">Institute for a Sustainable Earth</a>. Gewa will co-moderate Room 2, Zero Hunger, with Dann Sklarew, professor from the College of Science, and J. P. Singh, professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government. Mason’s 17 Rooms-U Summit will be held virtually on October 1, 2021.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Developed by The Rockefeller Foundation and the Brooking’s Institute, 17 Rooms is an event designed to help organizations identify partnerships and practical steps to accelerate progress on the United Nation’s <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals">17 Sustainable Development Goals</a>. After the summit, insights and findings from each room will be communicated in a report to advance the steps toward reaching the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For more information, please visit the <a href="https://ise.gmu.edu/17-rooms/">Institute for a Sustainable Earth’s 17 Rooms-U Summit</a> webpage. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 26 May 2021 21:19:54 +0000 John Brandon Cantrell 2126 at https://nursing.gmu.edu CHHS Students Committed to Giving Back to the Community  https://nursing.gmu.edu/news/2021-05/chhs-students-committed-giving-back-community <span>CHHS Students Committed to Giving Back to the Community </span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/421" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="John Brandon Cantrell">John Brandon C…</span></span> <span>Tue, 05/04/2021 - 09:03</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class='field__items'> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/926" hreflang="en">Community Engagement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/216" hreflang="en">Public Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/311" hreflang="en">Nursing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/486" hreflang="en">Social Work</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1921" hreflang="en">food insecurity</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/451" hreflang="en">Student Spotlight</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/136" hreflang="en">College of Health and Human Services</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/956" hreflang="en">CHHS News</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><strong>Graduating CHHS Seniors Reflect on Community Engagement.</strong></p> <p>Students who pursue public health-related fields are working to make an impact in their respective fields of study as well as their local communities. By applying skills they learned in their coursework, many students in the College of Health and Human Services work and volunteer for local organizations that support health, wellness, and social justice initiatives. </p> <p>Tristan Corbett, a Bachelor of Social Work student, explains the importance of giving back to the community. “As a CHHS student, you learn across multiple classes [on] how important environmental influences are to both the health and well-being of an individual,” said Corbett. “It is easy to go about life and be a recipient of the benefits from the environment and [community], but I find it important to contribute to them as well; it is a group effort to sustain and improve our community, for our community.” </p> <p>As a student studying social work, Corbett became involved with a local nonprofit, <a href="http://facetscares.org/" target="_blank">FACETS</a>, while completing his practicum. “There are many opportunities to contribute to the community [at FACETS], from Hot Meals - a food distribution program for the local homeless population around NoVA - to the Education and Community Development branch, which seeks to enrich the lives of the subsidized housing communities around their offices.” </p> <p>Many students find community engagement opportunities as a way to gain real-world experience by problem-solving, communicating, and collaborating with others to address issues facing their community. </p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div alt="Pratishna Thapa" data-embed-button="media_browser" data-entity-embed-display="media_image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;svg_render_as_image&quot;:1,&quot;svg_attributes&quot;:{&quot;width&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;height&quot;:&quot;&quot;}}" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="315ecf76-2c4c-4a22-a2bd-407a9f39d111" title="Pratishna Thapa" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq271/files/2021-05/85B8A415-BD57-46A0-B2F4-AFFADF67C026.jpeg" alt="Pratishna Thapa" title="Pratishna Thapa" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> <figcaption>"Giving back to your community is an opportunity for you to evolve as a person and understand how you fit into the world around you. Engaging with different communities will enhance your life and connect you to people and ideas that will positively influence you in different walks of life." - Pratishna Thapa</figcaption> </figure> <p>For Pratishna Thapa, a Bachelor of Social Work student in the College, giving back to the community is a way for her to help individuals through challenging situations while she earns her degree at Mason. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>“I have had the privilege to work with different communities -- from working with children and adults with disabilities, organizing disaster relief programs for people affected by natural disasters, strategizing ways to enhance the well-being of marginalized women in developing countries, advocating for victims and witnesses of domestic violence to assisting formerly incarcerated women to get back into the society,” Thapa said.  </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Thapa has worked with the <a href="https://www.alexandriava.gov/courts/victim-witness-assistance-program" target="_blank">Alexandria Victim Assistance Program</a>, a Virginia organization staffed by Crime Victim Advocates who provide support and services to crime victims during the aftermath of a crime and throughout the criminal justice process. While working as an advocate in the organization, Thapa attended court with individuals who have survivors of crimes and organized vigils for those who have died due to domestic violence. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Currently, Thapa serves as a case manager intern for <a href="https://friendsofguesthouse.org/" target="_blank">Friends of Guest House</a>, where she provides emotional support and coping strategies for formerly incarcerated women. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>“My daily responsibilities entail helping the women identify their stressors, identify coping plans, document case notes for my clients, and lead psychoeducational groups like Interpersonal Skills and Seeking Safety weekly,” Thapa said. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Through her advocacy work, Thapa was inspired to pursue research opportunities relating to women's experiences in the prison system. “I have observed an inconsistency in the demographic of women being rehabilitated versus the actual prison population,” Thapa said. “This has piqued my interest in researching the gaps within the prison system while pursuing my Master's in Social work through the <a href="https://socialwork.gmu.edu/program/social-work-msw" target="_blank">Advanced Standing Program</a> at Mason.” </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Kendal Chase, a student in the School of Nursing, also has a mission to help others in her community. Chase’s community engagement began at the macro-level by serving her country in the United States Army. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div alt="Kendal Chase" data-embed-button="media_browser" data-entity-embed-display="media_image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;svg_render_as_image&quot;:1,&quot;svg_attributes&quot;:{&quot;width&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;height&quot;:&quot;&quot;}}" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="11fa513c-5390-4837-bfb5-944e82578755" title="Kendal Chase" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq271/files/2021-05/portrait.png" alt="Kendal Chase" title="Kendal Chase" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> <figcaption>"Learning at Mason taught me that my education and experience were not about myself but about the needs of the community and where I can help out as an individual." -Kendal Chase</figcaption> </figure> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>“I proudly served 8 years of Active-Duty service as a Pharmacy Technician,” Chase said. “I was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Belvoir, Virginia, serving in both field exercise and hospital settings.” </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>While serving in the Army, Chase became the liaison for Fort Belvoir’s Hazardous Waste Program, where she educated healthcare professionals on the importance of medical disposal practices. This experience led to more opportunities to help others when Chase transitioned into a career outside of the Army. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>While serving as an Outreach Coordinator for Fairfax County, Chase implemented strategies to help the community safely dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. “I focused much of my work on researching and designing a pilot Drug Take-Back program for privately-owned pharmacies,” Chase said. “This program was then presented to the Virginia State Wastewater employees at the WaterJam conference in 2019.” </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>When she was accepted into the School of Nursing, Chase continued helping others by joining Mason’s <a href="https://nursing.gmu.edu/students/student-organizations/student-nurses-association" target="_blank">Student Nursing Association</a> (SNA) board. “My primary motivation for applying for the SNA board was to provide a better avenue for communication for the students and faculty,” Chase said. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>As a board member, Chase helped navigate the group through a challenging year due to COVID-19. However, the pandemic didn’t stop Chase and her fellow board members from helping other nursing students. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>“[Working together] during a COVID environment has proven to be difficult, but I’ve learned it’s only made us closer as a group, as we have to be creative, innovative, and dedicated to making it work,” Chase said. “It was because of our continued teamwork that our club was turned into a constituent at the national level. We’ve conducted coat drives, food drives, and promoted a mentorship program for pre-nursing and nursing students, to name a few [projects].” </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Due to the global impact of COVID-19, there is a strong need for community engagement initiatives to help with the local implications of the pandemic. Mei Qiu, a Bachelor of Social Work student in the College, continued serving her community and expanding her professional skills by connecting others to helpful resources throughout the pandemic.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div alt="Image of Mei Qiu standing on a mountaintop. " data-embed-button="media_browser" data-entity-embed-display="media_image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;svg_render_as_image&quot;:1,&quot;svg_attributes&quot;:{&quot;width&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;height&quot;:&quot;&quot;}}" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="a2f090a5-3dd1-4df3-9300-45eea371d185" title="Mei Qiu" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq271/files/2021-05/thumbnail_Image.jpeg" alt="Image of Mei Qiu standing on a mountaintop. " title="Mei Qiu" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> <figcaption>"Volunteering my time helps give me a purpose and improve social inequalities that are occurring in the area." -Mei Qiu</figcaption> </figure> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>“During quarantine, I was able to help volunteer at many facilities to help detect COVID-19 in the Prince William county area with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps,” Qiu said.  </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>For Qiu, getting involved in community engagement is an important component of her future career. “It’s important to give back because, as a future social worker, I need to familiarize myself with my community and what resources and services are needed,” Qiu said. “Volunteering my time helps give me a purpose and improve social inequalities that are occurring in the area.” </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>In addition to working as a research assistant, Qiu has also focused on helping others who face food and housing insecurity. “Most recently, I have been volunteering my time with the Hot Meals program at FACETS as a driver and to help give out meals to people who are homeless in the Fairfax county area,” Qiu said. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Community engagement has offered these seniors opportunities to make meaningful contributions that improve the lives of those around them while completing their degrees. Through this type of advocacy work, Mason’s future leaders in public health are well-prepared to serve their communities and continue to better their communities. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Before graduating in May, Corbett, Thapa, Chase, and Qiu were honored as <a href="https://integrative.gmu.edu/articles/15835" target="_blank">Community Engagement Medallion Awardees</a> by Mason’s Social Action and Integrative Learning (SAIL) organization. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 04 May 2021 13:03:28 +0000 John Brandon Cantrell 2026 at https://nursing.gmu.edu