Note from the CASC staff:

Hi Everyone,
 
We hope you all have been enjoying the sunshine these last couple weeks as we have been busily prepare for the school year!
 
This summer has been very busy for CASC.  Most importantly, we have been preparing for some transitions with CASC staffing.
 
We are very happy to announce that Alice Mishkin has accepted a teaching position in LSA this fall with the Program on Intergroup Dialogues (a CASC class!). This is something she has been interested in doing and we are excited that the opportunity has presented itself. However, this means that she will transition out of the program manager position. Alice will teach and will continue to work part-time with the CASC office through the Fall 2016 semester. She is excited to connect with you all via teaching, and will continue to pop up at CASC events! We are so grateful for the work Alice has done with the minor and are happy that she will continue to work with us through teaching and other opportunities. 
 
As one door closes, another opens and we are extremely excited to announce that we have hired Amber Williams as the new Program Manager. Amber comes with a great deal of CASC and social justice related experience. She has worked with Ginsberg, MESA, and NCID in program roles. She was a lead organizer of the most recent #UMBlackout Conference on social media, social justice, and Black activism. She also recently completed a joint masters degree in Social Work and Higher Education. We know that Amber is going to bring an incredible new energy to the program, and will most certainly up our social media game. Amber and Alice will work together this fall to ensure a smooth transition. The CASC office will no doubt be buzzing with these two incredible people working together. 
 
Bri Jackson will also be moving west to Colorado in late September. This will be an exciting step for Bri as she moves towards new adventures and has the opportunity to take care of her new baby nephew! We are indebted to Bri for all that she has done for CASC over the last two years. She has been such a huge asset to the program, and we will miss her dedication, her thoughtful social justice lens, and her smiling face. Bri will be with us through September to support CASC programming.
 
In Bri's place we are excited to announce that Ashley Elliston is joining our team  as the first Graduate Student Staff Assistant for CASC. Ashley is a 2016 CASC alum and is about to begin the MSW program here in the School of Social Work. We are excited to have Ashley joining us, and already love the number of color-coded spreadsheets she has brought into our lives.               
 
Although there are lots of changes, CASC director Katie Richards-Schuster and advisor Joe Galura will continue to be familiar faces in the office. We are very excited about the future of CASC and look forward to continuing to work with all of you to promote social justice, community action, and social change in the minor, on campus, and beyond.
 
We will be hosting a party for Alice, Amber, Bri, and Ashley in mid-September. Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, you can stop by our offices, or find us at FestiFall, So Cool So Just, and Senior Night to meet our new staff.
 
Best,
The CASC Staff

casc announcements
Save the Date: Senior Night 
All CASC seniors are required to attend CASC senior night. The first half of the evening will review graduation requirements, senior minor release processes, 401 registration, and other component of your senior year. This section of the evening is mandatory. The second half evening will provide an opportunity for students to connect with each other over shared interests and future plans, and to meet with many different programs and alumni as you consider your post-graduation plans.
When: September 13, 7- 8:30PM 
Where: B780, SSW

So Cool, So Just Fair 
Come check out the amazing student orgs on campus dedicated to social change. Over 30 orgs representing a diverse array of social justice causes and movements will be there. Find the group that speaks to you and start making change! The application for So Cool, So Just closes on Friday, September 2nd.  Register now!
When: September 22, 11AM - 2PM
Where: Central Campus Diag 

Shadow Peer Facilitators for CASC "DECLARE" Retreat
CASC is looking for shadow facilitators for the DECLARE Retreat. We are seeking 2-3 undergraduate students to work as shadow facilitators and social justice mentors during the 2016 fall term. Students will be responsible for helping to plan, lead, and recruit for retreats focused on critical social identity reflection, community engagement, and self-development. Shadow facilitators should be able to commit to facilitating the retreat in the Winter or Fall 2017 terms. If you are interested, please  read the full description and apply, or contact  Alice.

CASC COURSES
SW 300, Section 1/DECLARE Retreat
Join us for the fifth DECLARE retreat. This is a great opportunity for students to dive deeply into thinking about social identities, social justice work, and how to work to implement change. Participants will receive 1 credit toward the diversity or additional cluster of the CASC minor. Learn more and apply today!

SW 300, Section 2/SOE 311
"Home, School & Community: Realities, Interventions and Policies for Young Children in Poverty" takes an ecological perspective on the experiences of young children in poverty (ages 0-8) in the U.S. and examines the educational, social, and economic services and policies meant to support them and their families.Through readings, classroom lectures and activities, and assignments focused on local agencies, students will learn about the lived experience of the children, the systems and interventions available to them, and how the gaps in programs contribute to inequalities and disparities in opportunities. We will offer career models for undergraduates to learn about how to get involved in making a difference for low income children and their families.  Register for this course by searching under Schools and Colleges, then Social Work, on Wolverine Access. This course can be substituted for the Context cluster of CASC.

SW 400
This course is an undergraduate elective designed to familiarize students with the profession of social work and the MSW program. The particular social problems selected for discussion is dependent on the faculty and student interest. There will be a brief overview of the social context for the kinds of roles, interventions, and fields of service that the profession generally operates from, before exploring in depth the professions response to each selected social problem. Themes include multicultural sensitivity to various diversity dimensions, empowerment, prevention, and value based intervention.  Register for this course by searching under Schools and Colleges, then Social Work, on Wolverine Access. SW 400 is an elective for the context cluster of the CASC minor. You do not need permission to register for this course.

SW 401
SW 401 is the CASC Capstone course. It is only open to CASC seniors. You should take SW 305 prior to taking SW 401. You must petition for enrollment in SW 401 by completing one of these formsEmail [email protected]du with any questions. SW 401 will be offered in the winter term as well. Please note: Petitions will be issued on a first come, first served basis. 
 
SW 513, Section 2
"Doing CASC: Issues, Skills, and Strategies" is a special course exploring Community Action and Social Change in practice, including engaging with current issues and opportunities for community action work. It will involve advanced discussion of issues and skills needed in organizing and planning for community action and social change. Department permission is required. This class can be used toward CASC requirements. Some seniors may be eligible to take SW 513 in place of SW 305, and other students should consult with the CASC office to determine which cluster they will use the course for. You can  apply to enroll in the course here.

EDUC 490, Section 6
This course examines academic literature in critical pedagogy, bilingual, and multicultural education and contextualizes this information with hands-on experience in educational settings with Students of Color. Students will examine the historical, social, political, and economic forces that shape disparate outcomes along the educational pipeline, by race, gender, class, and language. Students will also volunteer in local school-settings three hours per week to contextualize their academic knowledge with K-12 practice.  This course can be substituted for the action cluster.

RCIDIV 351, Section 2
This two-credit mini-course is designed for students who have learned some of the basics about
race and racism, either in classes or in life, and who are eager to discuss, in an open-minded
atmosphere, how race and racism figure in today's "post-racial" climate.  This course can be substituted for the context cluster.

RCIDIV 351, Section 3
This two-credit mini-course is a unique opportunity to learn about the past, present and future of the U.S. labor movement and how changes in labor movement power impact economic inequality and the quality of democracy. They are seeking about 5 more students for this course. This course can be substituted for the context cluster.

AnnouncementS
Crossing Water Volunteers Needed
Crossing Water is a service opportunity for those interested in partnering with Flint in doing intensive and meaningful relief work. Be a part of a humanitarian effort that is touching the lives of many, and can change your life too. People from all walks of life and skill level are welcome. Learn more today.

#BlackLivesMatter Pictition
The platform Pictition allows you to sign petitions using social media and creates a visual mosaic of all the supporters pictures. Sign this  online petition to support #BlackLivesMatter, created by a U-M student. After signing, feel free to share the petition on Facebook or Twitter to spread the word.

Bicentennial Student Advisory Committee
Starting this fall, the Bicentennial Student Advisory Committee will work  to increase awareness among students about the Bicentennial year, events, and activities. Additional details about the committee can be found on their website The application is now live, so apply today! 

Planned Parenthood Conference & Issues Forum
The Activist Conference is a place that gives you an opportunity to become educated on a variety of issues affecting our state, including reproductive justice, redistricting, how the budget affects Michigan's families, and more. You can meet elected officials and ask them about issues that are important to you. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to prepare and ask questions at the forum.  Learn more and sign up today. 
When: August 27, 9:00AM - 3:30PM
Where: University of Michigan- Detroit Center

Michigan Refugee Assistance Program Mass Meeting
All interested in working with and supporting recently resettled refugees in Ann Arbor this upcoming year can check out the Michigan Refugee Assistance Program. If you are intere sted in becoming a member of this new organization, please  take a quick survey .
When: September 14, 7PM
Where: East Quad, B852
Jobs and Internships
Fair Food Network Internship
Fair Food Network (FFN) is a national nonprofit working to pioneer solutions that support farmers, strengthen local economies, and increase access to healthy food- especially in our most undeserved communities. FFN is interested in hiring an intern from September to December 2016 with responsibilities including community outreach, maintaining their communication "hotline" and supporting Double Up program participant engagement.  Learn more and apply today.

Available Positions with CIL
The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (CIL) presently has two positions open: Resource Development Director and Independent Living and Information Assistance Specialist. Individuals interested in applying should email Carolyn a cover letter and resume.

Program Assistant Position
A part-time Program Assistant is needed to facilitate a Healthy Start Engaged Father program. This individual will be employed by U-M, but based in Flint and will conduct outreach through the Genesee County area. All interested can learn more and apply today.
 
Caregivers Needed
The Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (CSSW) is seeking non-medical caregivers for their Interfaith Volunteer Caregiver Program. Volunteers will assist with families that are caring for a loved one and need a break or home-bound seniors who would like someone to talk to and spend time with. Caregivers must be 21 years of age or older and willing to commit to 2-4 hours a week for 6 months. To learn more or get started, contact Samantha Larsen .

Communities Coordinator Position
The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) is seeking a full-time Communities Coordinator. Responsibilities include coordinating educational and community-building activities in partnership with local governments and community organizations; facilitating local committees of volunteers to implement Welcoming Michigan's goals and activities; conducting outreach, and developing
relationships with community leaders. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in working with immigration issues and immigrant communities as an organizer. 

University of Michigan
School of Social Work
1080 South University Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106
Phone: (734) 763-5733