DEI Spotlight: Chidimma Ozor
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The DEI Office would like to recognize DEI efforts and initiatives led by members of our community. This month, we would like to highlight MSW student Chidimma Ozor. Chidimma has led virtual grounding events, facilitated social justice dialogue groups, and is a business owner of
conscious + aligned
and
Chidimma Ozor Consulting
among many other things. Please join us in reading her message below:
"As social workers, we have a real opportunity amidst the global pandemic we know as coronavirus, COVID-19, to rise up and come alongside our respective local, national, and global communities. If we are not able to pivot and be flexible, what are we even doing here? For me, this is as loud a call to action as I've ever heard. It helps that I've been teaching yoga and meditation for over 10 years and that I hold trauma-informed/sensitive and yoga therapy certifications, respectively. It is helpful to know that during this time of totally understandable and valid collective grief, loss, anxiety, pain, stress, frustration, and anger, I can show up for those around me in the ways that I know how to do so that we can collectively tackle the joy and urgency with empathy, compassion, and understanding. To that end, I also know that I can take a step back as I need to in order to practice self-care which speaks to the power, privilege, and positionality I do enjoy without discounting the oppression I also experience. The two are not mutually exclusive. Whatever you are feeling, I'm with you. I'm holding space. And also, as social workers, this can be our time to rise up and show up. If not now, when?"
Chidimma Ozor
,
MSW Student
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We are community-based organizations across the state of Michigan. We come from big cities and small towns. Our members are Black, Brown, Indigenous, and White. We represent many of the most marginalized among us, including people with disabilities and compromised immune systems. We are committed to seeing our communities through the global pandemic of COVID-19, which we know will be difficult and scary. Together, we are reorienting our collective resources for the care and survival of our most vulnerable residents, seniors, and working people and families, as we weather this storm.
Emergency Funding Resources:
Emergency Funding is available through the Dean of Students Office for students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses due to temporary hardship related to an unforeseen or emergency situation. Students may generally receive this assistance one time for up to $500.
CEW+ is able to offer small emergency grants to current U-M Ann Arbor graduate students and undergraduate students. These grants, called Emergency Funds (EF), are for unexpected financial emergencies that threaten to derail degree progress including funding issues that are a result of COVID-19.
CAPS:
Just like you, the University of Michigan Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) is venturing onto a new path, a new reality associated with COVID-19. We are reaching out (virtually, of course! #PhysicalDistancing) and sharing ways to help you take care of yourselves, no matter if you are in Ann Arbor, in Michigan, in the US, or across the globe.
Local Michigan Resources:
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-10 to temporarily expand eligibility for unemployment benefits. This executive order is effective immediately and until Tuesday, April 14 at 11:59pm. [Information on how to apply for benefits
here
]
Additional Resources:
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My name is Trish and I am a Grad Student Leader with
Wolverine Support Network
(WSN), a student organization -- sponsored by CAPS -- with a mission to create an inclusive and supportive community for all students on campus, undergraduate and graduate, regardless of department. This network of support is accomplished through weekly, peer-facilitated groups that promote and address students’ emotional and mental well-being in a confidential and inclusive environment. Graduate student participants are placed in groups led by graduate students like myself and composed of other graduate students.
We are also adding a 'drop in' virtual meeting for grad students on Sunday evenings at 5 pm via Zoom. Anyone is welcome to participate, regardless of whether you have signed up for a weekly group or not.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/147143739
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The Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR) is Hiring!
OSCR has paid positions available for students as a Conflict Resolution Facilitator starting next Fall 2020!
Applications Due by April 6th, 2020.
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Wellness Initiative Open Sessions
The School of Music, Theatre and Dance invites all members of the U-M campus community to participate in upcoming remote meditation and yoga sessions. The 30-minute sessions are offered through SMTD's Wellness Initiative.
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Tension & Trauma Release Exercises
Wednesday, April 1st, 2020
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT
Here, you'll have the space to practice Tension & Trauma Release Exercises (TRE), guided by Lovella Calica, but also find space to just be present without pressure to perform. Lovella will guide the space in Tension & Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) that activate a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating which eases muscular tension and helps soothe the nervous system.
You'll simply need:
- Comfortable pants permitting movement
- Space to lie on the floor (and a mat if you have one, though it's not required)
- a vacant wall you can lean against (no decorations, windows, furniture, etc.)
Contact Lovella to get more information on future sessions
here
:
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Under the Blacklight (Part Two)
Wednesday, April 1st, 2020
8:00 PM EDT
The past several weeks have prompted unprecedented levels of turmoil and unpredictability due to rising alarm over COVID-19. While American society has taken precautionary measures to counter the spread of the virus, those most vulnerable to societal neglect remain most impacted. Coronavirus did not create the stark social, financial, and political inequalities that define life for so many Americans, but it has made them more strikingly visible than any moment in recent history. Unfortunately, some of the intersectional dimensions of these structural disparities remain undetected and unreported.
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COVID-19 Talk: Stigma, Physical Distancing and Solidarity
Thursday, April 2nd, 2020,
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EDT
The School's Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, in collaboration with the Faculty Allies for Diversity, invites you to a virtual conversation to provide social support to members of our community who may be feeling stigmatized and/or at risk of social and physical hostilities. Join DEI Director Larry Gant, Faculty Allies Co-Chairs Rogério Pinto and Addie Weaver, and other members of our community for a robust discussion on stigma and compassion fatigue.
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Teletherapy: Start it up! Guidance for Social Workers
Monday, April 6th, 2020
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
This webinar is designed to support social workers, who, as a result of COVID-19, may be practicing telehealth/teletherapy for the first time. This webinar is also relevant to social workers with some experience in telehealth who may be interested in learning more about the ethical provision of clinical services online.
The session will cover the definition and history of teletherapy, benefits and drawbacks of teletherapy for both providers and clients, and legal and ethical concerns, with specific attention to ethical considerations during COVID-19.
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Monday's: April 6th, 13th, 20th
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
Write-Together sessions provide structure, space, and time for graduate writers working on writing at any stage, from papers to theses to journal articles to dissertations and more.
The Write-Togethers will still be running remotely every Monday from 9 a.m. to noon on BlueJeans. It is set up to be a chat-only meeting, where you can check in with your co-writers, set your goals for the session, and write together in virtual space. A Sweetland faculty member will be online as well, and available to answer some questions.
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Monday, April 6th, 2020
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
Designed to prepare young leaders to deepen understanding between China and the rest of the world, Schwarzman Scholars is the first scholarship created to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st Century. Whether in politics, business or science, the success of future leaders around the world will depend upon an understanding of China’s role in global trends.
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Following the cancelation of commencement activities, the 25th
Annual Lavender Graduation will shift to recognize students on a dedicated celebration webpage.
Next steps for LGBTQ+ graduating students (undergraduate and graduate students):
- If you have already registered, please update your mailing address in the form so that we can send you the LavGrad package
- If you have not yet registered, please complete the registration form prior to April 12, 2020
- Please be respectful of this deadline as no late registration will be considered
- Prior to April 30th, we will mail you your LavGrad package
RSVP Deadline: April 12th, 2020, 11:59pm
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST
Macro social work is a growing, vital, but often overlooked part of the profession. Finding a career in macro social work can be seemingly more complicated than searching in more traditional clinical tracks. This webinar will explore issues facing macro social workers entering the workforce and explore the career trajectory of two recent graduates.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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Truth in Sentencing Town Hall
Wednesday, April 15th, 2020
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT
Michigan still utilizes Truth in Sentencing, meaning anyone convicted of a felony is required to serve 100% of their minimum sentence. The vast majority of other states have a good time or earned time credit system that allows currently incarcerated folxs to reduce their sentences by participating in different educational and vocational programs.
The Truth in Sentencing Virtual Town Hall will have a panel of Michigan legislators, including Senator Sylvia Santana and Senator Jeff Irwin, to take questions and comments from their constituents on the issue. Let your voices be heard!
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“Stick to love; it is heavy and it will carry you. Avoid hatred; it is heavy and you have to carry it. It is left to you to make your choice.”
― Israelmore Ayivor
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University of Michigan
School of Social Work
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
734-615-5085
ssw-dei-office@umich.edu
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