The Wealth and Poverty theme at Ohio University presents alum Kerri Shaw discussing “Children of Appalachia: Risks and Resiliency” on Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 3 to 4 p.m. in Alden 319.
Shaw is one of six speakers during “Action on Inequality Week” from Sept. 21-28.
Kerri ShawChildren growing up in rural, low-income Appalachia face numerous challenges related to poverty including food insecurity, inadequate educational opportunities, substandard housing, substance abuse, health disparities, and geographic isolation. According to the United States Census Bureau, nearly 30% of children in Athens County live in poverty and 20% of Athens residents are estimated to be food insecure. What can rural underserved communities do to strengthen and foster children into healthier adults? This presentation will introduce the risk and resiliency model as applied to children in Appalachia while also highlighting efforts to increase resiliency through recent national legislation and local programming.
Kerri A. Shaw, MSW, LISW-S is the Social Work Field Director at Ohio University and has been a Field Liaison for over five years. She oversees both undergraduate and graduate students’ field placements across the Athens and regional campuses. She also serves as the Community Health Worker Training Program director through the College of Health Sciences and Professions. Previously, Ms. Shaw practiced school social work in both Athens and Washington County school districts for nearly ten years and developed the Peanut Butter and Jelly Project, which continues to feed thousands of children in Athens County each summer. She received the title 2014 Athens Foundation Woman of the Year and has been recognized both at the university and in the community for her activism and efforts toward social justice. She received a BS in social work and an MSW in social work administration, both from OHIO.
The Athens Foundation named her Athens County Woman of the Year in 2014.
Any questions on the event, please email Yeong Kim at kimy1@ohio.edu
About Action on Inequality Week
Going beyond teaching, learning, and advocating for equality, many are taking positive, important actions against inequalities in income, health, education, and well-being in local communities. The Wealth and Poverty Week on Action on Inequality brings the OHIO community together to discuss various actions to combat the growing inequalities in our society and advance the common good.
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