Social Work Calling

In this episode of ‘Social Work Calling,’ alumni Hope Haynes, Haley Coble, and Rian Massie discuss their journey to working in recovery courts. As graduates of both our BSW & MSW programs at Union University, they highlight the faith-based support they received and contrast the therapeutic approach of recovery courts with traditional criminal justice. The conversation covers the challenges of addiction work, including overdoses and relapses, and celebrates the rewards of helping clients recover. They also address societal misconceptions about addiction and offer advice to aspiring social workers, emphasizing continuous learning, open-mindedness, and integrating faith with evidence-based practices.

In this inaugural episode, we sit down with Esperanza Gonzalez and Erin Slater, graduates of Union University's MSW program, to discuss how their faith has guided their journeys in social work. They share personal stories of working in student support services, offering insights into how the integration of faith and social work has shaped their approach to promoting student flourishing. Esperanza and Erin reflect on the challenges they've faced in their careers and how Union's MSW program equipped them to navigate complex social issues with a Christ-centered perspective.