BRIDGE Program Graduates Eight

On December 12, 2016, friends, family, faculty, alumni, and members of the BUSSW community gathered to celebrate eight special students as they graduated from the  BRIDGE Program.

Recognizing that while immigrants and refugees make numerous contributions to the larger society, they often face significant challenges ranging from language and educational barriers to trauma and multiple forms of discrimination. The BRIDGE program hopes to increase the number of professionally trained social workers from underserved culturally and linguistically diverse newcomer populations, opening up access to graduate social work education for refugees and immigrants by providing a transitional bridge from these ethnic communities to academic communities where social work is taught.

“This is one of our special programs,” Dean Gail Steketee introduced the evening’s celebration, and with 100 percent of the class planning to pursue a master’s and career in social work, ” I am very proud and look forward to seeing where you continue on,” she said.

The evening continued with each graduate sharing their stories of where they’re from, how they came to social work, and their experience in the program:

“It has been amazing to be empowered together.”
Karla from Honduras, studied social work as an undergraduate and is currently a case manager.

“It felt like a family and a home here.”
Rand from Iran is currently a case manager, working with refugees in Jamaica Plain.

“It (the program) was really a bridge for me. It helped me to know where I have to go.”
Alima from the Congo is currently a translator for refugee families and hopes to continue on the be a trained social worker.

“With BRIDGE, I feel grounded and know this is the way to go. My community still needs a lot and it is time for me to use my voice.”
Dulce form Cape Verde came to America in search of better life opportunities and feels like social work is the right field for her.  She currently works with Portuguese and Cape Verdean populations and victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

“I always look forward to coming here. I feel like my life has changed- I feel young again.”
Yvette from Haiti sees herself as a activist. While working for the department of revenue, she decided to make changes in terms of what she loved to do and made her way to social work.

“I want to make an improvement and be an asset to my community. I want to use the skills that I’ve learned to help others.”
Michael from Brazil studied Human Services at Springfield College and currently works at Boston Medical Center. He has applied to the MSW program and hopes to be a licensed clinical social worker.

“It was my calling to help people. I think I’m in the right place.”
Jane from Kenya came to the United States to study and work in special education and believes in the connection between special education and social work. She is sad her time with BRIDGE is ending, but is glad for the opportunity and hope it continues.

When Bibiana from Colombia, who currently works as a nurses aide in human services, was taking nursing courses she says, “something wasn’t fitting right.” Her experience in patient care sparked her passion for social work and the BRIDGE Program connected her to BUSSW. When looking at schools she says, “BU stands out,” because of its flexibility. Bibiana has been accepted to the Online MSW Program and will be starting in the Spring.

BRIDGE alumni and BUSSW faculty members Geoff Wilkinson and Luz Lopez offered their congratulations and advice to the graduates. “Don’t be afraid to go for it – the classroom is enriched by your experience,” said Lopez. The evening concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony, celebrating the graduates achievements and completion of the program.

“The lives and work experiences of these BRIDGE students have prepared them well for this next step in their educational journey. They will become great social workers committed to continue supporting diverse and underserved communities,” said Claudio Martinez, Co-Director of the BRIDGE Program. Congratulations to the graduates and well wishes as you continue on your journeys in social work!