Association of Black Social Workers, Inc. NYC Chapter

Greetings Members & Colleagues, We are excited to announce our Fall Professional Learning Virtual Workshop! Title: EmpowerED - Harnessing Collaborative Agency for Student Success Presented by: Aaron Muller, LCSW, CASAC-T Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024 Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm CEU: 1 Fee: $25.00 Your urgent support is appreciated, ABSW-NYC

Greetings Members & Colleagues, Want help preparing for the licensing exam? Lessen the stress! ABSW-NYC is here to help you WIN! Beginning Saturday, October 19, a special "Boot Camp" study and coaching workshop is scheduled for six consecutive weeks from 9am-11am. For an affordable $25 per/session, you can learn strategies and feel more confident sitting for the exam. Don't hesitate--Act NOW. Register while space is available! For details, see flier attached. Have an amazing Day, ABSW-NYC Chapter

Join us on 9/17/24 for the Faithful Responses to Survivors of Domestic Abuse Workshop. The purpose of a domestic violence (DV) workshop is to raise awareness, educate participants, and provide support and resources for addressing and preventing domestic violence. These workshops are typically aimed at a broad audience, including victims, survivors, community members, and professionals who may work with those affected by domestic violence. Key objectives of a domestic violence workshop include: Raising Awareness: Educating participants about the various forms of domestic violence (physical, emotional, sexual, financial, etc.), and the signs and symptoms of abuse. Empowering Victims and Survivors: Offering support, resources, and information to empower individuals who may be experiencing or have experienced domestic violence to seek help and safety. Prevention and Intervention: Teaching strategies to prevent domestic violence, such as healthy relationship dynamics, conflict resolution, and how to intervene when someone is at risk. Legal and Community Resources: Providing information on legal protections, shelters, hotlines, and other support services available to victims and survivors. Promoting Healthy Relationships: Encouraging discussions on building respectful and safe relationships, and helping participants understand the characteristics of a healthy partnership. Support for Professionals: For social workers, educators, law enforcement, and healthcare providers, the workshop can offer tools and strategies for identifying, supporting, and protecting those affected by domestic violence. Challenging Myths and Stigmas: Addressing common misconceptions and reducing the stigma associated with domestic violence to create a more supportive and informed community. The overall goal is to foster a safer environment, provide resources for those in need, and promote proactive measures to prevent domestic violence. Email Dwilliams@connectnyc.org for more information

Thank you everyone who attended our in person meeting Saturday 9/14/24 in East Harlem. We had an AWESOME SAUCE afternoon learning about our different committees from our chairs!!! Education, Allison Niles Membership Vivian Afuwah Fundraising/social action, Terrell Tate Older Adult Center, Shirley Robertson Adoption Services, Leora Neal Mental Health, Dr. Shawneladee Cole. Do you have a social work speciality and would like to support the efforts of ABSW? Social workers and social work allies - all are welcome (social work profession is not a requirement for membership). Special thanks to our Madam President, Marlene Morris for your continued service and for being such a powerful advocate for our community. We are fortunate to have you as our leader Forever onward.

ABSW New York City History              The Association of Black Social Workers New York City is proud to present our chapter.  Our founders formed us out of their frustration with the oppressive and racist policies in the larger mainstream social work organizations.  Many of them claimed they wanted to help the poor and disenfranchised but systematically excluded the Black voice.  The New York City Chapter started in June 1967 a year before a group of Black Social Workers united and walked out of a meeting at the National Conference on Social Welfare.  They demanded NCSW address racism.  According to Dr.  Patricia Reid-Merrit's book, Righteous Self Determination the Black Social Workers in New York City were the first to use the title the Association of Black Social Workers.  We take this distinction to heart and continually strive to uphold the principals and guidelines of our founders              One of them, Mr.  Cenie "Jomo" Williams was not only the first elected president of the National Association of Black Social Workers but also our New York City Chapter president.  He remained so for many years until his untimely death.  Then Mr.  Robert Knox Sr. lead the chapter for 20 years until he also joined our ancestors.   Mr. Roosevelt George took over until 2008.  Then we proudly elected our first female president, Ms. Gloria Scott.  She remains president to this day.              We've worked very hard as an organization to maintain Cenie's commitment to the community by supporting the professional development of Black Social Workers, fighting racism, aiding in the cultural development of the Black community and reevaluating existing Eurocentric paradigms.              The Chapter has a long history of accomplishments.  In the past, we conducted voter registration drives, we were instrumental in the removal of a racist HRA Commissioner.  We established the Black Family Counseling Unit.  We also developed and managed the Cenie Jomo Williams Housing Complex.   We still maintain the four buildings acquired over 20 years ago.  We've supported social work students with scholarships and fieldwork placements.               Our organization continues to thrive today.  We established our Senior Citizen's Program and an Adoption Counseling and Referral Service in 1975.  Both programs  continue to provide necessary services to the community.  We have a functioning job bank and two day care centers that have been operating for 30 years.  We also offer both after-school and summer programming for children.  In addition to these programs we provide both tutoring and a Parenting Support Group with our Post Adoption Services.  The chapter has responded to both national and international disasters.  We've provided services for 9-11, the New Orleans devastation, the earthquakes in Haiti, Hurricane Sandy and most recently, we assisted survivors from the 2014 East Harlem Explosion.