With the impact of COVID-19, Barry University, like other institutions around the globe, is taking unprecedented steps to balance our educational mission with the duty to protect the health and well-being of our entire community. As we face these challenges, we remain committed to our academic standards of excellence.
Times like these demonstrate the need for operational flexibility and innovation while remaining true to our mission. Our faculty and staff are being creative and resourceful in response to our student community’s needs in order to stay resilient. In social work, we must be very diligent as we prepare our students to become professionals in the field of practice. They will join other social workers and health care professionals in efforts to help build a healthy society during and months and years beyond this pandemic. We want to make sure our students possess important methods and skills to help clients and communities cope and thrive in times of crisis and transition. You will be proud to know that our students are demonstrating their resilience as they too struggle to deal with their own situations ranging from anxiety about the current environment, financial and unemployment concerns, and managing the stressors of keeping their loved ones safe. Now is the time for all of us in the social work profession to be reminded of the value and power of mutual aid. Contributions from you to the Opportunity Fund will ensure that we can pivot our approaches during this evolving situation and continue to provide a world-class education.
We can assure our students that their sacrifices are acknowledged and they will have the opportunity to:
- Give professional support and advocacy to address client needs
- Provide therapy to help clients deal with anxiety and trauma
- Achieve in the field of social work (as you have also achieved in your profession)
The single most impactful way to support Barry University and our students is through the Barry Opportunity Fund. When you make a gift to the Barry Opportunity Fund you promise to have a significant impact on all areas of the university, helping Barry provide students access to quality teaching, modern facilities, and all the resources they need to have success on campus and beyond.
Within the Opportunity Fund is the Opportunity Scholarship, a scholarship initiative in which the minimal philanthropic investment is $2,500. This scholarship gives donors the chance to make a real and lasting impact on the life of a student. A donor may designate this scholarship to any program within the School of Social Work.
The strength and the compassion of our Barry community is always apparent, even more when we come together to care for our students and each other.
Thank you for all that you do to support Barry University.
Warmly,
Phyllis Scott, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Social Work