The University of Southern Indiana Foundation has received a $1 million gift commitment from The Good Samaritan Home, Inc. to establish the University of Southern Indiana–Good Samaritan Internship Program, designed to expand access to social work professionals and critical services in southwestern Indiana.
The gift will support paid internship opportunities for students enrolled in USI’s Social Work Programs, as well as fund a clinical faculty position for five years in the USI College of Liberal Arts. The program places emphasis on supporting underserved and rural communities, particularly in the areas of mental health, behavioral health, social services and addiction support.
“This gift from The Good Samaritan Home is both generous and visionary,” said Steve Bridges, USI President. “It addresses an urgent need in our region by preparing more students to become highly skilled social workers while also extending vital services to communities that need them most. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and the impact it will have on our students, our University and the people of southwestern Indiana.”
Internship eligibility will be limited to USI students enrolled in USI Social Work Programs who meet prerequisites for generalist or clinical internships and demonstrate an interest in supporting underserved or rural communities.
The USI College of Liberal Arts, in partnership with the Social Work Program leadership, will oversee the program and collaborate with The Good Samaritan Home to establish outcome metrics.
“We are very excited to be partnering with USI to help create more highly skilled social workers in southwestern Indiana and to provide critically needed mental health services in this region,” says Rev. Michael Erwin, Good Samaritan Home Executive Director. “Good Samaritan Home was an innovative outreach of the United Churches of Christ when it was begun 60 years ago. Times have changed, but our focus has not, serving those in need with care, compassion, knowledge and expertise. We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to its future.”
The University of Southern Indiana–Good Samaritan Internship Program represents a significant step in addressing the shortage of social workers in southwestern Indiana while offering students meaningful, real-world experience that prepares them to make a lasting impact in their careers and communities.
