Lotus House

Professor Zaoui's Practice III class, along with BSW Director, Jennifer Williams and MSW Director of Admissions, Mabel Rodriguez - took a field trip to Lotus House on April 12, 2012. "Lotus House serves women who are homeless, whether due to domestic violence, untreated medical or mental illness, disability or economic reasons. The facility houses up to 50 women and children at a time and includes a special maternity wing for women who are homeless and pregnant and their infants. Women come to Lotus House through referrals from homeless outreach, shelters, safe houses, rehab centers, prisons, hospitals and courts, as well as the streets. For many, it is a shelter of last resort, as temporary shelters do not afford them an opportunity to address untreated medical and mental illnesses, obtain work or benefits, and save the funds needed to truly break the cycle of homelessness. Formed in June 2004, the Sundari Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-denominational, public charity organized for educational and charitable purposes and dedicated to promoting the education, advancement and social inclusion of poor, disadvantaged and homeless women and children." (Lotus House website: http://www.lotushouse.org) Professor Zaoui's approach to effective social work teaching is grounded on having the students connect theoretical frameworks and concepts with hands on grass roots agencies and services within our South Florida community. The students, as well as faculty, generously donated women's clothes, shoes, a DVD and many other pertinent items. The field trip was a success for both the students and the alums of Lotus House who came to share their stories of strength, resilience and power. We thank Lotus House and a special thanks to Rai Johnson (our very own MSW student at Barry) for coordinating and organizing this field trip.