Highlighting the Friends and Donors of the USC School of Social Work
November 2015
New York Life Foundation Sustains Generous Support The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement (NCSCB) at the USC School of Social Work has received a $1 million grant from the New York Life Foundation, a continuation of funding that will allow the NCSCB to expand its services, in particular the Coalition to Support Grieving Students. Under the direction of David Schonfeld, MD, professor of practice of social work and pediatrics, the NCSCB moved to the USC School of Social Work in summer 2015. The Center established the Coalition to Support Grieving Students in partnership with the New York Life Foundation in 2013, bringing together 10 major organizations that represent school professionals across different disciplines. Since its inception, the NCSCB has provided consultation and training in the aftermath of a number of crisis events and disasters within the United States and abroad, including shootings in Newtown, CT, Marysville, WA, and Aurora, CO; flooding from hurricanes Sandy in NYC and NJ and Katrina in New Orleans; tornadoes in Joplin, MO, and Alabama; the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan, China; and the events of 9/11 in NYC. “The NCSCB has been involved in disaster and crisis events where children are involved both nationally and globally,” Schonfeld said. “We do not charge for the advice and technical assistance that we provide, so philanthropic support is critical to sustaining and continued page 7
Margaux Helvey: Impacting Homelessness Through Development
Inside This Issue: Scholarship Recipient Focuses on LGBTQ Population...............................2
When Margaux Helvey began her search for a master’s program, she was looking for an opportunity to combine her strengths in business strategy and management with social impact. She found it at the University of Southern California, one of the few institutions at the time that offered a dual degree in social work and business administration. “I specifically wanted to be in Los Angeles because I knew I wanted to address issues of homelessness and poverty,” Helvey said. “I wanted to be where real things were happening and not just read about homelessness.” continued page 7
Helping Vulnerable Children Beat the Odds.........................................3 Grant Will Increase Virtual Mental Health Services for Caregivers................. 4 Advocates Circle.................................... 4 Spotlight On: Alumni Giving......................5 Supporting The USC Social Work Initiative...6 Margaux Helvey
MSW Student Scholarship Challenge........ 8