The University of Maryland School of Social Work’s Center for Restorative Change was pleased to welcome MSW students for this week’s kickoff event — an opportunity to begin the academic year in community, share information about the work ahead, and build meaningful connections with fellow students, faculty, and staff.
We are deeply grateful for the energy, openness, and willingness to engage that students brought into the space. As they begin a new semester and prepare for practicum experiences, the kickoff served as an important moment to reflect on the values and practices that will guide our collective work throughout the year.
A special thank you goes to our presenters — for offering their perspectives and helping to ground the conversation in the center’s mission and approach.
Throughout the event, students were invited to consider several core ideas:
- Our work is rooted in the values of social justice, emPOWERment, and transparency.
- Restorative practices, anti-racism, and anti-oppression are foundational to how we approach relationships, learning, and systems change.
- The SHARP Framework can serve as a practical tool for examining systems, relationships, and practices with greater intention.
- History matters. Understanding the historical context of institutions, communities, and systems is essential to pursuing meaningful and restorative change.
As students move forward into their classes and practicum placements, we encourage them to lean into one another for support, reflection, and connection. The work ahead will be meaningful, challenging, and rewarding — and it is work that is strengthened when we remain grounded in community.
We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to learning, growing, and continuing this journey alongside our MSW students.