Past Events

National Association of Social Workers — Wisconsin Conference

The NASW (National Association of Social Workers) conference is an incredible opportunity for social work students and professionals to engage in learning, networking, and advocacy. Attending the Fall 2024 conference allowed me to connect with experienced social workers, gain insights into current issues in the field, and explore new strategies for promoting social justice and community well-being. It was an inspiring experience that reinforced my passion for social work and the impact we can make together. -- Katie Larsen, SWSA Vice President | Read more here.

National Association of Social Workers-WI
Advocacy Day

On April 9, 2025, twelve Carthage social work students attended NASW-WI Advocacy Day with Professor Becki Hornung, Social Work Department chair, in Madison, WI. This event brings together professional social workers and students to learn lobbying skills, so they can become effective advocates on issues that are important to the social work profession. Attendees participated in workshops on advocacy skills, gun violence prevention, and public service student loan forgiveness programs, among other topics. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet with elected officials and their staff to discuss the importance of policies that impact social workers and the communities they serve. This experience was an empowering way for students to use their voices to impact public policies in Wisconsin.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Wisconsin Conference

Our first semester as a club, we attended the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - Wisconsin conference in April! We learned about a variety of important topics, met mental health professionals, and connected with each other! Read our conference report here.

Healing the Healers Conference

The Social Work Department was proud to co-sponsor the on-campus conference called “Healing the Healers: Approaches to Gun Violence Exposure and Healing.” This conference brought together a unique mix of experts and stakeholders in healthcare, gun violence (GV) prevention, and trauma recovery to discuss the often-hidden effects of GV on frontline healthcare workers who treat victims every day. Speakers at the conference discussed their experiences treating the physical and psychological wounds experienced by GV victims as well as policy initiatives that have the potential to reduce this epidemic in our communities. Co-sponsors of the conference included Moms Demand Action, the 80% Coalition, and the Carthage College Nursing, Social Work, and Theater Departments. The conference culminated with a performance of Terminal Exhale, a unique play based on the experiences of frontline healthcare workers who treat GV victims.

Gun Violence
Summit 2024

At an emergency gun violence summit held in Milwaukee in October 2024, Social Work Professor Debbie Kelly moderated a session called “Artistic Approaches to Healing from Gun Violence.” Four social work students also attended the conference to learn about the intersection of public policy, community safety, and mental health. Read more about it here.

safeTALK Training

On March 30, Levi Stein, president and CEO of Friendship Circle in Milwaukee, came to campus to provide the safeTALK training to a group of Carthage students and staff. Participants learned how to notice people trying to talk about their suicidal thoughts and how we can ask, listen, and keep people safe (TALK) in response. All participants received safeTALK certification for their participation. This event was in conjunction with the “Terminal Exhale” play, which brought awareness of the heavy toll of gun violence on the lives of frontline healthcare workers who treat gun violence victims every day. Read more here.

More Events

See more events such as:

Student Org Fair
Making Sensory Bags: In November 2024, we teamed up with Mental Health Awareness Club to create sensory bags that were donated to the Kenosha Public Library.

See more past events and sign up for future events on the Harbor.