Commitment to community service and social justice are more than traditions at GSSW; they are our foundation. We are the only graduate social work program in the nation founded by a community coalition that later became the United Way and a chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Nearly 80 years later, with outreach efforts that span the globe, GSSW exemplifies the University of Denver's vision: to be a great private university dedicated to the public good.
Outreach programs
The Bridge Project
The Bridge Project is the only direct service program in the nation administered by a graduate school of social work. It is designed to break the cycle of poverty by providing educational and career opportunities to children, youth and families in Denver's public housing developments. Offering tutoring, computer skills, mentoring and scholarships, the Bridge Project is one of many field internship sites for GSSW's MSW students.
Contact Molly Calhoun, Executive Director.
China Partnership Project
Since 1994, GSSW has been working with China Youth University in Beijing to establish the social work profession in China. The program includes student and faculty exchanges, as well as joint faculty research. A course entitled "Social Work from a Chinese Perspective" gives MSW students the opportunity to examine social work practices on location in China.
Contact Prof. Julie Anne Laser, Assistant Professor.
Institutes
Erna and Brad Butler Institute for Families
GSSW's nationally recognized Erna and Brad Butler Institute for Families seeks to enhance the well-being of children, youth and families through research, education, training and consultation. The Butler Institute builds child welfare professionalism and develops and disseminates effective practices and policies for child and family programs. More than 15 faculty, professional staff and graduate students work on externally funded projects through The Butler Institute.
Contact Prof. Cathryn Potter, Executive Director.
Institute of Gerontology
The Institute of Gerontology is a multi-disciplinary center of research, training
and community service. The Institute seeks to educate future gerontologists, provide
current practitioners with state-of-the-art social service interventions, and assist
health and social service agencies in the design and conduct of evaluation research.
The Institute focuses on the psychosocial aspects of aging including the needs of
frail elders and older workers and the positive integration of older adults into society.
Institute for Human-Animal Connection
The Institute for Human-Animal Connection addresses the critically important relationships between animals and people through research, training and education, technical assistance and advocacy. Multidisciplinary in focus, the Institute is the first program of its kind within a human services academic setting.
Contact Prof. Philip Tedeschi, MSSW, LCSW (Clinical Director of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection) for more information.
