Northwestern Department of Social Work Reflects on 2023 Dignity Drive

February 26, 2024

Codi Harding (left), Northwestern Department of Social Work director of social work field education, assistant professor of social work and SWAT sponsor, and Melanie Yager (right), SWAT vice president of the Woodward Chapter, donated the supplies from the SWAT ‘Compassion in Action’ Dignity Drive to Shanna Gonser and Teresa McBroom (center) of the Hope Center in Woodward.

Students from Northwestern Oklahoma State University Social Workers Association of Tomorrow (SWAT) chapter recently completed their “Compassion in Action” dignity drive during the 2023 fall semester.

“Once again, the ‘Compassion in Action’ Dignity Drive was successful,” Codi Harding, Northwestern director of social work field education, SWAT sponsor and assistant professor of social work, said. “Every year, this event allows SWAT members to help provide basic needs to community members in their local and surrounding communities.”

SWAT is a student-run organization that seeks to enhance the social work learning experience. One of SWAT’s purposes is to employ community service projects while supporting community partners and their consumers. The dignity drive is one of the community service projects SWAT students host to give back to the community.

Melanie Yager (left) and Codi Harding (right) pose with the supplies donated to the 2023 ‘Compassion in Action’ Dignity Drive sponsored by the Northwestern Department of Social Work Social Workers Association of Tomorrow (SWAT) chapter.

This year SWAT was able to gather donations for The Day Center located in The Hope Center in Woodward, filling some of their personal hygiene product needs. Donations included toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, detergent, feminine hygiene products and more.

“Collecting hygiene products for the Dignity Drive is not just about giving out necessities; it's about restoring dignity and empowering individuals to live healthy lives,” Melanie Yager, a Woodward senior social work major and Northwestern-Woodward SWAT vice president, said. “I'm honored to be part of an organization that can recognize these needs in the community and take action.”

Several hygiene supplies were donated during the 2023 ‘Compassion in Action’ Dignity Drive sponsored by the Northwestern Department of Social Work Social Workers Association of Tomorrow (SWAT) chapter.

Northwestern’s SWAT members and social work majors, with their hometowns, classification and SWAT involvement include:

Officers: Ashley Garner, Stillwater senior, president; Laney Anderson, Stratford senior, vice president (Alva Chapter); Yager, vice president (Woodward Chapter).

Members: Holly Andres, Alva sophomore; Harlie Atland, Alva junior; McKenzie Cramer, Ashland, Kansas, junior; Allysa Donaldson, Elk City senior; Rebecca Faubion, Covington senior; Sam Felton, Alva junior; Macy Howell, Attica, Kansas, senior; Kyra Hussey, Okeene junior; Jenna Maier, Alva junior; Hunter McMillin, Alva junior; Giselle Minijares, Woodward senior; Bailey Pelland, Pratt, Kansas, senior; Krystan Pierce, Woodward junior; Mickenzie Turner, Enid senior; Mahawa Tyler, Alva junior.

SWAT members would like to thank everyone who assisted with putting this event together and those who were able to donate from all three Northwestern locations.

For more information about Northwestern’s social work program visit www.nwosu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences/social-work or contact Dr. Kylene Rehder, Northwestern Department of Social Work chair and professor of social work, at kdrehder@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8135.

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CONTACT FOR RELEASE:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
sjdoherty@nwosu.edu | 580-327-8480