Spark SSW

SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL WORK

Year-End Crowdfunding Campaign • December 1–December 31

We are once again responding to critical needs at the University of Maryland School of Social Work and across our community through a year-end Spark SSW Crowdfunding Campaign. This effort recognizes that during this season of giving, many in our community are facing significant uncertainty and unprecedented pressures. Spark SSW offers a meaningful way to support our students, their education, and the communities we serve.

Your gift of any size directly supports some of the University of Maryland School of Social Work’s highest priorities: Preparing future social workers and leaders, and supporting our community in Baltimore and across Maryland.

UMSSW SCHOLARSHIPS

Convocation men photo

Keeping Social Work Education Within Reach

At a time of growing community need, scholarships make it possible for dedicated students to pursue a graduate social work education without overwhelming debt. UMSSW students are already on the front lines: Supporting families in crisis, strengthening hospital and school systems, advancing behavioral health, addressing housing challenges, and promoting justice across Maryland.

Scholarships ensure that future social workers have the access, support, and financial stability they need to complete their degrees and serve our communities.

 

CENTER FOR RESTORATIVE CHANGE (CRC)

The Center for Restorative Change (CRC), based at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, works toward a vision where all communities are equitable and promote self-determination and collective power.

As West Baltimore families face ongoing challenges, the CRC provides essential, trauma-responsive services while simultaneously driving system-level change. Your support ensures the CRC can continue to:

  • Offer crucial direct aid, including food and housing support, crisis intervention, and parenting assistance.
  • Foster civic-minded leadership through programs like financial literacy and community leadership training.
  • Empower families to advocate for a more equitable future.

Past Campaigns

RA SCHOLARS

RA SCHOLARSThe RA Scholars Program gives students the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge faculty research while building hands-on experience that prepares them for future academic or policy-focused careers. By funding this initiative, you’re helping to grow research capacity at UMSSW, create paid research opportunities for students, and foster powerful one-on-one mentorships between students and faculty. Your support builds a strong pipeline of skilled, research-savvy social workers

Give to The RA Scholars Program

 

 

Rise Family Support Center

The RISE Family Support Center Man and SonThe Rise Family Support Center, part of the Center for Restorative Change, offers holistic, trauma-responsive services to families in Baltimore. From parenting support to crisis intervention, Rise is a lifeline for families navigating poverty, violence, and systemic barriers. Your donation helps sustain this critical community resource—ensuring that more families receive compassionate, culturally relevant care from practitioners trained in healing-centered practices. Help us build a stronger, more resilient Baltimore—one family at a time.

Give to support RISE

The Dr. Allison Howard PhD Program Travel Award

Dr. Allison HowardThe Dr. Allison Howard PhD Program Travel Award will honor the memory of Dr. Allison Howard (’25 PhD; ’18 MSW) who passed away unexpectedly just a few weeks after graduating from the PhD Program. Allison was a fierce advocate for social justice, women’s rights, and victims of trafficking. She also valued her clinical work in partnership with her strong research skills. She loved being able to travel to conferences and share her research findings with other researchers as well as practitioners who were making a real impact in the world.  

As an individual, Allison was well-known for her creativity in baking elaborate treats and in her unique sense of style and fashion. She will be remembered not only for her kindness, dedication, and warmth toward everyone she met, but also for the deep love she had for her dogs. Her compassion extended to all creatures, and the bond she shared with her dogs was a true reflection of her gentle spirit.   

These funds will be used to provide a travel award for at least one PhD student each year who exemplifies the passions and values that Allison demonstrated in her life and work. Funds for the award may  be used to support areas such as conference travel (including flight, hotel, conference registration, and related costs).

Support The Dr. Allison Howard PhD Program Travel Award 

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