Economic Justice
In the spring of 2024, as part of Adelphi’s Social Action Initiative, 373 Adelphi social work students worked to pursue economic justice.
Economic injustices have deepened poverty and widened disparities across our communities, and social workers play a vital role in advocating for fair access to resources, opportunities, and financial security at local, national, and global levels.
This year there were 28 group led projects on community campaign partnerships, uplifting voices, and media lab projects. We hosted and held two full day activism events (one in Garden City and one at our Brooklyn campus), as well as had many students attend two legislative advocacy events in Albany with our community partners.
Economic Justice and Criminal Justice System
Our group created an X page (formally known as Twitter) dedicated to economic growth and inclusion. Our mission is to create community partnerships, through social media, that are designed to advocate for economic inclusion in our CJ system.
We have created this PSA to raise awareness and advocate for economic justice within the criminal justice system. In doing so, we aim to shed light on the critical need for equitable access to resources and opportunities for those affected by the criminal justice system’s economic disparities.
Our group interviewed individuals working in the criminal justice system to understand how it affects them economically. We aimed to raise awareness and advocate for change by sharing their stories and highlighting specific areas that need improvement, such as employment opportunities.
Story Corps: Economic Justice & Criminal Justice System Interview with Alex
Story Corps: Economic Justice & Criminal Justice System Interview with Lauren
Economic Justice and Education
Our project focuses on the economic injustices in public schools caused by lack of funding. We aim to raise awareness about how race and socioeconomic status contribute to educational disparities and lifelong economic inequality. We interviewed a school social worker and published our findings on our Instagram page. Our goal is to promote social justice and encourage action among parents, educators, and policymakers.
Our project focused on economic injustice in Freeport’s public schools. We interviewed educators and students to understand the challenges they face, such as limited resources and funding. We aim to raise awareness and advocate for change to ensure all students have access to quality education.
Story Corps: Social Action Economic Injustice – Educator Interview
Story Corps: Social Action Economic Injustice – Psychologist and Social Work Perspective Interview
Our group focused on economic inequality in schools, particularly its impact on students with disabilities, gathering data through research, surveys, and community feedback. We shared findings via an Instagram page, “listenlearnadvocate,” using posts, hashtags, and resources to raise awareness.
Economic Justice and Equality
“socialaction_housing2024,” advocates for housing justice through a social media campaign to raise awareness about homelessness and affordable housing. We used storytelling, infographics, and interactive content to engage the public and policymakers.
This project aimed to create a public service announcement promoting equality and economic justice for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The PSA focuses on expanding employment opportunities and highlights the value of inclusion in the workplace. It will be distributed through social media and partnerships with community organizations to reach a wide audience and encourage inclusive hiring practices.
Our group project aimed to raise awareness about inequality and housing. We interviewed a coworker and shared the interview on StoryCorps. We also wrote a letter to a local legislator to advocate for change.
Our group conducted interviews with economically disadvantaged community members to give them a voice. We shared their stories on StoryCorps and with local and state officials to bring awareness to issues discussed by members of the community.
Economic Justice and Healthcare
Our podcast explores the connection between poverty and mental health. We aim to raise awareness about this issue and encourage community support. We’ve been sharing our podcast through social media and reaching out to mental health professionals to broaden its reach.
Our group focused on economic injustice in healthcare, specifically women’s health, aiming to raise awareness through social media. We aimed to aligned with the Women Deliver organization’s mission to advocate for gender equality and women’s bodily autonomy.
Our group created an Instagram campaign to engage young adults and raise awareness about healthcare injustices, highlighting disparities, equity, and healthcare as a human right. Through creative posts, hashtags, and collaboration, we sparked discussions, shared resources, and ensured smooth progress with each member contributing unique insights.
Our project focused on the financial struggles of older adults relying solely on Medicare Parts A and B. We engaged communities on Reddit, created an Instagram account for advocacy, and conducted interviews, successfully fostering conversations and raising awareness about Medicare challenges.
Story Corps: Social Action Economic Injustice Within the Healthcare System Interview
Our project focused on economic barriers to mental health care in Indigenous communities, highlighting disparities, stigma, and cultural challenges. Through interviews and a social media campaign, we raised awareness about these issues, aiming to engage Indigenous communities, healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public to advocate for improved mental health services.
This project aimed to outreach the NY State legislatures via formatted emails to bring attention to current bills that will address heathcare costs.
This project aimed to understand how socioeconomic status affects access to healthcare. We interviewed an oncology nurse practitioner and learned about the challenges faced by patients.
Economic Justice and Housing
Our project focuses on the housing crisis faced by undocumented immigrants in the US. We argue that limited access to housing leads to broader social problems. We interviewed individuals to highlight their struggles and propose a social media campaign to raise awareness and advocate for policy changes.
The group’s social action project focused on economic justice and housing, highlighting how Black and Brown communities are disproportionately affected by displacement and a lack of affordable housing. Their social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram aimed to raise awareness among New Yorkers of voting age, encouraging informed voting to address housing instability issues.
Economic Justice and IPV/DV
Our group created a PSA highlighting the financial impact of domestic violence on women and the secondary effects on children. We completed a PSA and disseminated it online to raise awareness and promote available resources.
Our project aimed to raise awareness about intimate partner violence and teen dating violence. We interviewed a school faculty member in Roosevelt and partnered with a local domestic violence agency to learn more about the issue creating an Instagram page to bring further awareness.
Our group’s project focused on financial abuse as a form of domestic violence. We interviewed a representative from a domestic violence shelter to learn more about the issue and its impact on survivors. We shared our findings on StoryCorps to raise awareness and encourage community support.
Story Corps: Social Action Economic Justice and IPV/DV Interview
Our group aimed to raise awareness about economic justice for domestic violence survivors. We researched the issue, drafted a letter to a local legislator, and collaborated effectively to complete the project.
Economic Justice and Global Issues
Our group’s project explored the economic and social consequences of war and political conflict in Israel. We interviewed three group members living there to gather personal insights about their experiences with inflation, access to goods, and safety. Our goal is to share these stories and raise awareness about the complex issues facing people in conflict zones.
Our group’s project focused on economic justice for immigrants. We interviewed an immigrant to learn about their experiences and challenges. We aim to raise awareness about the importance of economic justice for immigrants and advocate for policy changes.
Social Action Events
NASW Annual Capitol Action Day
February 13, 2024, Albany NY
At Capitol Action Day 2024, Adelphi social work students joined professionals and peers from across New York State to advocate for social work-related policies, as part of the annual event organized by the New York State chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-NYS). This year, participants met with legislators to advocate priorities such as the Social Work Workforce Act (A5291/S5975), which aims to strengthen the social work workforce, restoring Medicaid Home Care access (A6346/S328), and improving student support through better school staffing ratios (A902/S1577). The event provided an invaluable experience for Adelphi students, fostering connections and championing issues vital to social work and community well-being.
The New York Caring Majority Day of Action
March 4, 2024, Albany NY
At the New York Caring Majority’s Day of Action in Albany, 23 Adelphi social work students joined advocates, older and disabled individuals, home care workers, and caregivers from across the state to champion a future of accessible, well-supported care. The event, a part of the statewide Caring Majority campaign, called for a future where care is prioritized, accessible, and supported by sustainable wages and benefits for care workers. We urged legislators to support essential policies like Fair Pay for Home Care, Restore Home Care Access, and the Home Care Savings and Reinvestment Act. The students engaged with legislators, sharing personal stories to underscore the need for fair wages and accessible home care for all. Their efforts contributed to eight additional legislators co-sponsoring the bills, highlighting the impact of this advocacy for a more compassionate, equitable future in care.
The Day of Action in Support of Economic Justice and Equity for Immigrant Families
April 8, 2024, Brooklyn, NY
Seventy-three Adelphi social work students took part in a Day of Action at the Brooklyn Center, advocating for economic justice and equity for immigrant families. Organized by Adelphi’s Social Action Committee, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), and the Adelphi Artivism initiative, the event highlighted critical legislation efforts such as the New York for All Act, the NY Working Families Tax Credit, and Give Families Credit. NYIC kicked off the day with an overview of immigrant rights, followed by a workshop on economic justice led by OMSW student and SAC committee member, Richard Perkins. In the afternoon, students participated in an “Art Build,” creating cardboard retablos inspired by Peruvian Retablos to visually represent immigrant struggles and aspirations. These artworks, bearing messages of solidarity and justice, will be shared with lawmakers and community partners in future advocacy efforts.
The Adelphi Summit for Achieving an Age-Friendly Long Island
April 19, 2024, Garden City, NY
The Goidel Law Group and Adelphi University’s School of Social Work co-hosted a summit to promote an age-friendly Long Island, uniting government leaders, nonprofit representatives, senior services, academia, and older residents from Nassau and Suffolk counties to discuss relevant initiatives and policies. In the morning, 117 Adelphi social work students joined about 65 stakeholders for presentations on local age-friendly strategies. Students then engaged in advocacy, sending 107 letters to legislators supporting age-friendly policies and contributing 50 short stories on older adults’ experiences for a digital archive. Collaborating with professionals and peers, students strengthened their commitment to improving life for older adults on Long Island.
Social Action Project Coordinators
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PhD•LICSW•LMSW•CSW-G•QDCS
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516.877.4392
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Social Work Building 333
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Contact-
516.877.4392
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Social Work Building