There has always been and always will be a need for people who have a passion to help others. Those people are social workers and each year there is a week to celebrate and honour the profession. This year, Social Work Week in Alberta begins March 3^rd.

At Portage College, students begin their journey to a fulfilling career in social work with the Community Social Work (CSW) diploma program offered at the Lac La Biche and Cold Lake campuses.  

Part of the CSW curriculum is a course on Community Development where students at both campuses create events to raise awareness and funds for local community groups. Students in Cold Lake are organizing a Dodgeball Tournament in Bonnyville benefitting the food bank. While in Lac La Biche students are 'Freezin for a Reason' for Out of the Elements Shelter, as well as hosting a game of 'Gift Card Survivor' - a process of elimination that awards a gift card jackpot at the end, with proceeds to a local summer youth camp.

Students enroll in Community Social Work because they want to help people. "I want to make a difference in the world, even if it just starts with one person." Second year student Brooklyn Bentley adds that lessons don't stop in the classroom, "Throughout the program, you not only learn about Social Work and the Code of Ethics, but you also learn so much about yourself. I have changed for the better because of this program."

'Freezin for a Reason' begins at the Lac La Biche campus March 7^th at 7:00 p.m. and ends March 8^th at 7:00 a.m.

For photo opportunities, interviews of students, and more information about Social Work Week please contact:

Michele McDougall | Marketing Specialist
Portage College
(780) 232-8335

Second year Community Social Work students Brooklyn Bentley, Hannah Kasper 
and Carla Cancino-Alvarado with Instructor Audrey Cochrane