NASW Foundation Announces Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarship Recipients

Jaime Ayers and Cherish Norman Receive Scholarships

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) has announced the 2012 Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship recipients. The Lyons Scholarships are awarded to Master of Social Work candidates who express an interest in or work with the African American community through practice in health or mental health services. Scholarship recipients work in hospitals, medical clinics, and social services agencies that provide treatment and specialized services to African American patients.
This year’s awardees include:

• Jaime Ayers, Florida State University, College of Social Work: Ms. Ayers intends to pursue a career in criminal justice, with a focus on assisting people of color who are dealing with addictions and mental health issues.  She has been an intern with a drug court program, where she has conducted drug screenings, assisted with administrative work and helped clients. She is dedicated to serving underserved populations.

• Cherish Norman, University of South Carolina, College of Social Work: Ms. Norman intends to work in a clinical setting with African Americans requiring mental health care. She wants to work in advocacy for these populations as well, and is interested in how education can improve the quality of life for African Americans. She has worked as an intake coordinator, certified nursing assistant, healthcare coordinator and nutritional representative.

The scholarship is a memorial to Verne LaMarr Lyons, a social worker and NASW national staff member, who died in 1989 while waiting for a heart transplant. Mr. Lyons committed his life to increasing awareness of pernicious health concerns affecting African Americans such as insufficient prenatal care, infant mortality, AIDS, cirrhosis, and general life expectancy.
For more information about the NASW Foundation or educational scholarships, please visit www.naswfoundation.org or e-mail naswfoundation@naswdc.org.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with nearly 145,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy. 

The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) is a charitable organization created to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through the advancement of social work practice.