Rooted in its mission to support patients and families suffering from mental health challenges, the CJK Foundation is a non-for-profit organization that generates positive change through advocacy, awareness, support and fundraising.

Acknowledging the intersection between mental health and social work, CJK Board Member and Secretary Katie Smith emphasizes the importance of lowering barriers for students so that they can focus on their education and future careers.

“We are honored to support a university that places a respect for human dignity and commitment to social justice at the cornerstone of its program,” she said. “It is our hope that these scholarships will lower some barriers for students dedicating their time and energy to those in need, so that they can maintain a focus on the work they are passionate about. We are looking forward to building a strong partnership with Quinnipiac and are grateful to merge our communities in an effort to build a brighter future for mental health.”

To prepare students for 21st-century careers and citizenship, CJK has gifted a $1,000 annual scholarship that will be awarded to one student each year enrolled in the School of Health Sciences Master of Social Work Program (MSW).

Scholarship recipients will be selected by the chair of the social work department based on academic achievement and financial need.

“CJK is excited to aid Quinnipiac’s much needed and expanding social work program,” said Executive Director of CJK Krissy Dorsey.  “We are proud to support a university that understands the needs of its students by offering so many different modalities to complete the needed coursework and internships to become a social worker. The entire CJK community is supportive of our future social workers and the impactful work they will do. We hope this is one more step in building a brighter future for mental health.”

This scholarship will welcome students into the field while also providing them with the resources to become dynamic change agents and adaptable leaders.

“We continue to innovate ways to welcome a diverse body of students into Quinnipiac and into the social work profession – so often turning our lived or witnessed experiences, particularly in areas of health and mental health, into advocacy, support and service to others,” said Maya Doyle, professor of social work.