...an innovative Mental Health program to vulnerable members of the Greater Northridge Community
The Westlund Center donor lost her year-long cancer battle on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Exercising her self-determination right, she took advantage of Washington States Death with Dignity law and transitioned peacefully on a sun-filled afternoon surrounded by friends and neighbors at home.
The Westlund Center at CSUN will continue her decades long commitment to service through the unique community service program she inspired.
Well done, Laura Westlund.
Our Purpose
The Westlund Center (TWC) is a privately funded Charitable Trust designed to provide an innovative, research-based mental health program to the Greater Northridge, California community. It is anticipated that several years will be necessary to identify the need, evaluate, prioritize, and operationalize such a project.
The program will operate in conjunction with the California State University's Northridge (CSUN) Department of Social Work Practicum Education program and its internship requirements commencing with the 2023-2024 academic year.
Two second-year Master of Social Work students will be selected each year to complete their graduation Practicum Internship obligations with TWC. Second-year students from the Stateside (campus-based) and Online MSW programs will be eligible to apply.
Our Unique Features
A unique feature of the CSUN alignment with TWC is the year-to-year integrative process guiding students' participation in the project's life. This opportunity will lead to a research-based Practicum Internship service program staffed by second-year social work interns and supervised by a licensed clinical social worker.
Each intern will receive a $10,000 stipend.
Under the direction of William Getz, DSW, LCSW, this specialized internship program will emphasize teamwork integrating Macro, Mezzo, and Micro Social Work best practices with the "Learning by Doing" education model.
