Social Services

Our on-staff social worker is a vital part of Grace’s team. Her role is to aid students who need help in a crisis, assistance navigating city and state agencies, or just someone to talk to for a few minutes. The social worker’s position is many-sided: she meets with students on an as-needed basis for individual counseling and referrals, facilitates various workshops and trainings, organizes social service events, and works closely with other agencies such as Dress for Success to assist our students in preparing for the workforce.

Referrals
We provide referrals to our students for these and other issues:

• Legal issues
• Childcare
• Health Insurance
• Mental Health
• Housing and Eviction Services

Workshops
Our social worker regularly leads workshops for our students. Offerings will vary as we continue to meet the needs of our students. Workshops include these topics:

Self-Esteem – This workshop assists the students to realize their own strengths and through this process helps increase their sense of self-esteem.

Time Management – Many students at Grace go to school, raise children and/or hold part-time jobs. This workshop teaches students how to construct a time management plan so that they can regain control of their busy lives.

Communication – This workshop complements the course work of our Office Procedures class by focusing on elements of communication such as active listening, communication filters, assertive communication style, and conversational intent. These skills are both discussed and practiced through examples and group work.

Stress Reduction – This psycho-educational workshop teaches students about the mental and physical effects of stress while also providing them with practical and healthy ways to reduce their stress levels.

Domestic Violence – Around the world, one out of every three women has been physically or sexually abused in her lifetime. Because Grace Institute is dedicated to helping empower women in all aspects of their lives, this workshop is given to teach women the signs and cycles of abuse and how to get help if they, or someone they know, is in an unhealthy or unsafe relationship.

Events
Each year our social worker spearheads some of our enrichment events.

Social Service Fair – Grace Institute hosts a social service fair before each semester for incoming students. This fair is an opportunity to connect students with various organizations in the community that can assist with services such as health care, childcare, financial planning and budgeting, eviction services, and public assistance information.

Health Insurance Registration

Grace Institute collaborates with Affinity Health Plan to help eligible students find affordable health insurance.