WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Nov. 29, 2016 — West Liberty University is the home of many hard-working, caring students. Recently one of them, Tara Loy of Bridgeport, Ohio, received public acknowledgement of the work she did for Wheeling’s annual SleepOut fundraiser.
“Tara Loy was an asset to me this year. She worked tirelessly, brought in hundreds in gift cards and prizes for the Wheeling SleepOut and a new $500 event sponsor. It is because of volunteers like Tara that this event is successful. I am grateful,” said Sondra Jackson, special events and fundraising coordinator for Youth Services Systems (YSS).
The Wheeling SleepOut is held to raise awareness and money to address the critical problem of homeless youth, according to Jackson. Money raised goes to the YSS transitional living program for older youth, ages 17 – 21.
Jackson presented Loy with an honorary plaque during a recent class held in Main Hall and taught by Brenda Rinkes, WLU faculty member and social work field education coordinator.
“Her work meant a great deal to me and I’m pleased that I could publicly acknowledge her in front of her peers during class,” Jackson added.
“Loy is an ambitious and dedicated student. She has blossomed in the WLU social work program and she will complete her internship next semester and then graduate in May,” Rinkes said, who has been with WLU for five years.
Each social work senior must serve a 400-hour unpaid internship in a professional setting, like the Department of Health and Human Services, the YWCA or the Youth Services Systems, during their final semester as a senior. Prior to that, students complete a 30-hour volunteer experience, which is what Loy was completing at the YSS.
Loy plans on working toward her master’s of social work degree next and is now planning for graduate school. She hopes to work in a hospital setting in her professional career.
West Liberty University offers students a fully accredited social work program that offers the bachelor of social work degree and carefully assists students to assure success. The degree also allows students to gain state licensure for career advancement. For more information, please visit westliberty.edu/social-and-behavioral-sciences.
Next year’s SleepOut is Nov. 3, 2017.