Happy Earth Month!
How did you commemorate Earth Day on April 22nd?
We all share one home – our planet earth. We need to take care of our planet every day if we want our planet to continue to provide for us.
Earth Day and Earth Month allow us to give extra special care to our planet and invite others to join us in attention and service.
Transformation Tip Tuesday with Nicki Sanders, 4/23/24
Transformation Tip: Protect Our Planet
Climate change is not a myth or a liberal exaggeration. We can examine our extreme weather patterns, dangerous storms, living beings facing extinction, changing ocean temperatures and so much more to see the proof.
One person can make a difference in so many diverse ways. There are large-scale as well as small-scale practices that will help us repair, nurture, and protect the earth. Here are a few:
- As we continue to recycle and upcycle, we can also reduce consumption and decrease consumerism.
- As we continue to buy local and eat seasonal food, we can also turn useless lawns into beneficial spaces for growing food.
- As we continue to beautify our yards, we can plant natives that attract pollinators and use natural processes to remove invasives.
Social Work
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about what social work is, what social workers can do, and what social workers should accept. Each week we’re going tackle some of those.
MYTH: Policy work is the only way for social workers to help Mother Earth
FACT: There are so many ways to social work.
- Remember macro, mezzo, and micro.
- Research eco-social work, green social work, and environmental social work.
- Explore the areas of public health social work, agricultural social work, and reproductive justice social work, for example.
On a more practical level:
- Social workers can refer clients to food banks and provide seeds and information for starting a small garden.
- Social workers can refer clients to summer camps and also enroll students in cooking and nutrition classes.
- Social workers can help clients prepare for job interviews and also organize job fairs focused on sustainability and green jobs.
- Social workers refer clients to clothing closets and also educate them on sustainable fashion and the harm fast fashion causes to small designers, workers, and the environment.
- Social workers can facilitate stress management workshops and also lead clients on nature walks.
We have barely scratched the surface here. There are so many ways for social workers to join the movement.
More:
- Essence Article: Happy Earth Day – Here Are 5 Black Women Conservationists You Need To Know
- Oxfam Article: Nothing New Under the Sun: Southern Black Women & the Fight for the Soul of Climate Change
- Vogue Article: Activist Wawa Gatheru on Championing Black Women as Climate Leaders This Earth Day—And Beyond
Nicki Sanders, MSW, is committed to career development, professional development, and organizational development. As Founder and CEO of Nicki Sanders Leadership Consulting, her mission is simple – to eliminate toxic workplaces by developing skilled, empathetic, and goal-oriented leaders who have the vision, support, and resources to create a culture where business prospers, and employees thrive individually and collectively. Nicki supports high-performing women of color in social work leadership in developing careers that feed their hearts, minds, and wallets. She has an extensive background in nonprofit management leading high-functioning, multi-disciplinary teams, volunteer recruitment and retention, and social impact programming. Nicki is an accomplished professor, coach, trainer, and group facilitator who has combined her gift for authentic relationships, Master of Social Work degree, and over 20 years of diverse work experience to create a life and career aligned with her values and purpose. She is a lover of nature, cupcakes, travel, and 80’s hip hop and R&B music.
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