Finding Community and Compassion: A look at Community Care Days at the School of Social Welfare

At the School of Social Welfare, "Community Care Days" offer a refreshing break from the stress of academic life. These events prioritize collective well-being and camaraderie among students, faculty, and staff. 

Each semester, a series of events aims to counter the strains of academic and personal duties. Laura Ramirez, an associate professor and coordinator of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council, collaborated this year with Hazel Rogers, the new student support coordinator, to bring these events to life.  

"Each semester we're hoping that we're helping our social welfare school community find moments of compassion, rest, connection and rejuvenation,” Ramirez said.  

Students were able to participate in events at the Lawrence and Edwards campuses including a nature walk through the Haskell Medicine Wheel and Wetlands, poetry workshop, plant potting party and a cozy cocoa and coloring session. For those who found themselves unable to attend the in-person events, a midday story time read aloud and group celebrations of joy were available over Zoom. 

The idea for "Self-Care Days" was born out of the need for shared compassion and connection in 2021 during the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramirez said. The shift from "self-care" to "community care" was inspired by the work of Toronto-based researcher Nakita Valerio, emphasizing care for others as a mutually beneficial practice. The concept resonates deeply within the school, fostering spaces for rest, reflection, and joy. 

“We thought that the idea of community care fit nicely into what we were trying to do here,” Ramirez said. “Faculty and staff showing compassion and sharing space with students in fun, soothing, events that are mutually beneficial.” 

This semester, the planning team expanded the format, spreading events over several weeks in November into December instead of concentrating them into one. Rogers emphasizes the strategic timing, designed to alleviate stress during the semester's busiest periods.  

"I think in the past they've been sort of crammed into one week and we thought we would try something a little different, spread it out, since we were able to support our students better that way.” Rogers said.  

The events benefit all involved, with faculty, staff, and students coming together in activities that transcend traditional roles.  

 “It's just a way for folks to step back and be in community together,” Ramirez said. “They can share the same space, do the same activities and just learn about each other in a very low stakes way.”  

The long-term goal is to weave these practices into the fabric of the school's culture, fostering a sense of belonging and support. Through these shared experiences, the School of Social Welfare is redefining well-being as a collective endeavor, nurturing resilience and community bonds for semesters to come. 

“It's fun to be part of this since the inception of it and I really look forward to continuing to build strong relationships with our school community, through these sorts of events.” Ramirez said.