Written by Frances Lee, The Smart Show staff writer.

The Cal State Northridge Social Work Depratment will be headed to Sacramento in April 2012 to attend the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Lobby Days conference.

Ryan Grady, a 28-year-old CSUN students, along with 62 other students will be attending Lobby Days
“I became an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) California Lobby Days Conference only one year ago”, Grady said. “But the experience has and continues to have a positive impact on my personal and professional life.”

The NASW Lobby Days Conference is a three day conference where participants are provided with ‘real and educational legislative experience’ and taught about the influence of the social welfare policy.

“This year at Lobby Days California, I expect to learn how to effect change in my client’s and future client’s lives by advocating for policy that takes into account the six core values outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence,” Grady said. “Change is possible if we’re open for it, and we’re ready to do more than protest. We are ready to sit down with a state assembly member or senator and have the tough conversation about policy and how it could be better. This is social work. We are social workers.”

Grady and his classmates are asking for donations ($5 or $10) to cover travel and hotel costs.

The following link leads to the donation site: http://lobbydays2011.chipin.com/lobby-days-2012

I greatly press upon readers to support and spread awareness of such causes like California Lobby Days and young activists like Grady as they are only fighting for a healthier tomorrow. As a recent graduate of the Cal State system, I feel a sense of pride when I read about students that stand up for their rights. During my last semester of college, I had the honor of meeting several young students that will be the next generation of activists and to have said you have supported a person or a cause is something to be quite proud of.

‘Journalism is comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable’. -Harrison @goharrison.com.