2014

Vol 5(1): Autumn 2014

Top Story

WE’RE CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SOCIAL WORK HISTORY

The excitement is mounting with each day as we get closer to our 100th Anniversary Opening Event on Oct. 29 at 6:30 pm at the Royal Ontario Museum.  Click here to RSVP.

We are celebrating this Faculty’s accomplished past — a century of excellence in education, research and practice — and its promising future fuelled by innovation and imagination. We invite all of the Faculty’s alumni, supporters, contributors and friends to a special reception honouring our milestone anniversary on Oct. 29 at 6:30 pm at the Royal Ontario Museum. Our Faculty’s alumni and friends are an integral part of our 100-year history and we hope to see as many of you as possible on that evening. The registration deadline has been extended. You can register online.  Click here to register.

The Opening Event will feature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a buffet dinner where you can mingle with friends. There will also be a video and the opportunity to visit a special exhibit on the second floor highlighting 100 years of our Faculty’s social impact across our city.

We will keep you informed about other exciting anniversary events taking place over the upcoming school year – events where you can discover the latest ideas in social work while connecting with fellow alumni and the Faculty itself, such as the launch on Nov. 12 at Hart House of the Distinguished Speakers Series featuring alumna The Honourable Margaret McCain.

It is time to celebrate!

WHAT’S GOING ON

Remembering Doreen Winkler

Former Alumni President Doreen Winkler died suddenly on Oct. 15. Doreen was an integral part of our Faculty where she had a major impact, lending her staunch, steady and compassionate presence to numerous committees and events, and recently playing an important role in the planning process for our 100th celebrations. She leaves a huge void and will be greatly missed. See the upcoming issue of Reach for more about Doreen.

100 Years Since Classes First Began

100 years after the first social work classes were held in the Department of Social Science in 1914, FIFSW students filled the halls once again this September, attending numerous events and activities.

MSW students started their year off with a two-day Introduction to Social Work Conference acquainting them with a full spectrum of social work perspectives and theories. Year 1 MSW student Leslie Chu called the conference that ran on Sept. 8 and 9 a “real eye-opener – I came from a science background and before the conference I had a much more narrow view of the social worker’s role. The conference was really important to me because it allowed me to see all the things that you can do with a social work degree. I found that really exciting.”

For incoming and returning FIFSW MSW, PhD and Advanced Standing students, the first few weeks of classes were filled with numerous activities, from orientation sessions, meet-and-greet events to workshops on such important issues as writing at a graduate level, the practicum and interprofessional activities, among countless others.

A Huge Thank You to Our Incredible Volunteers

We could never organize the anniversary events we have planned without the invaluable help of our incredible team of volunteers. We owe these volunteers an enormous debt of gratitude. These anniversary celebrations would not be possible without you. The 100th Anniversary Opening Event has been expertly organized by two amazing co-Chairs, Beth Weingarden and Eileen Farrow and their stellar fellow committee members Lynn Factor, Heather Gotlieb and Wanda Ho.

The FIFSW anniversary celebrations will feature a series of commemorative events organized by an impressive group of volunteers, alumni, supporters and friends of the Faculty. Anniversary Chairs Tammy Balitsky, Bryan Keshen and Rashaad Vahed have been assisted by Honorary Chairs Gordon Cressy, Lynn Factor, Sheldon Inwentash and Lorie Shekter-Wolfson.

Stay Connected and Informed

Update your alumni contact information easily online. On the FIFSW website, go to “Alumni” and then click on “Update Your Information Online.”

Check Out Our New Website

Be sure to check out our new Faculty website. It’s bright, cheery and easy to read. Discover all the great activities coming up as we celebrate this milestone year. You can learn about the important research our Faculty is pursuing by clicking on Research and going to the Research Commons.

WHAT’S NEW IN PRACTICUM

To RSVP for Practicum events please click here and go to the corresponding date on the FIFSW Events Calendar.

WHAT’S NEW IN CONTINUING ED

Latest Learning Opportunities in 2014-2015 Calendar

Be sure to check into all the exciting new courses, programs, workshops and learning opportunities in the 2014-2015 Continuing Ed program.

SAVE THE DATE