From The Editor

Finding New Hope

by Rosa Jimenez

I can’t think of two better words to describe the essence of social work than “nueva esperanza.” In English, the words mean “new hope.” And that’s just what Hector DeLeon, featured on our cover, gives to clients of the Nueva Esperanza Counseling Center in Pasco, Wash.

Hector, a bilingual counselor, has worked at the center since he graduated last June from the master’s of social work (MSW) program at Walla Walla College. Hector is one of 803 graduates of the MSW program launched just 12 years ago. Debra Rood’s feature article tells about how the “little department that could” became a school with more majors than any other area at WWC. You’ll also read about four social work alumni, their work in the field, and the path that led them to social work.

In the last few months, I’ve learned that the value of a social worker is not fully realized until one is needed, especially because most of us picture a social worker as someone who works solely with destitute people. Chances are that sometime in your life you may need professional help to cope with a problem that seriously affects you or your family’s well-being.

Whether it is counseling families, mentoring at-risk-children or supporting the aging, social workers are there to help. If there is a phrase that best describes what they do, it is “helping people help themselves.” (Find out more about social work on Westwind Online, the magazine’s new Web site. Pam Cress, assistant professor of social work, answers questions about the profession.)

Also in this issue, Alumni Gazette features Alumni of the Year. I’m proud to say that in 1988, Beth Dennis Zachary, one of our honored alumni, hired me to work in the marketing and communications office of White Memorial Medical Center. Eager for a taste of big city life, I packed up my Toyota Corolla and moved from Walla Walla to East L.A. Even for this small-town girl who once vowed she’d never move to Southern California, it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, both personally and professionally. Thank you Beth.

Perhaps you’ve worked for, or know of, alumni who deserve to be honored. If so, think about nominating them for Alumni of the Year. Alumni are chosen from the upcoming year’s reunion class members. See a list of next year’s reunion class members and a nomination form at Alumni Central on the WWC Website.

You can also access Westwind Online from Alumni Central. In the current online edition, veterans respond to our recent Vietnam feature story, and we salute our recently retired faculty. If you missed it last time, check out the spring edition as well.

Rosa Jimenez is editor of Westwind.

Previous issues
Spring 2000
Winter 2000
Spring 1999

Home