Honor Roll

Every year at its annual conference MASW recognizes Missourians who have made significant contributions to the progress of social justice in the state. Our honorees at our 111th Annual Conference, November 2011:

Tina Waldron and the Missouri Re-Entry Process received the Elaine Aber Humanitarian Award

In 2002, Missouri was the first of eight states chosen by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) as a demonstration site for the Transition from Prison to Community Model, which was renamed the Missouri Re-entry Process. This model promotes state and local collaboration and provides a philosophical framework for "stakeholder agencies" to promote common interests, integrate policies and services and improve the overall transition process of those offenders leaving prison and returning to Missouri communities.

A state-level MRP Steering Team was established including state representatives from the Department of Corrections, Department of Mental Health, Department of Revenue, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Social Services, Office of the State Court Administrator, Department of Economic Development, Department of Public Safety, Department of Transportation and the Department of Health and Senior Services. Local community representatives include law e Re-entry nforcement, the faith-based community, crime victims, and service/treatment providers.

The Missouri Re-Entry Process (MRP) is designed to prepare offenders to be successful, productive, taxpaying citizens upon their release from prison. The Department realizes, however, that this endeavor has many challenges and is too great a task for any one agency to solve on its own. Offenders leaving prison have many challenges that create barriers to their success, such as substance abuse issues, lack of family support, mental health issues, medical issues, lack of education and skills, no housing, and many more. The Missouri Re-entry Process is a philosophical change that includes the examination of organizational priorities, practices and culture with the ultimate goal being public safety.

Tina Waldron serves as Reentry Manager for the Department of Corrections.

Don Love received the Herman & Dorothy Johnson Local Advocate Award

Over the many years that Don Love has been active in MASW, he has exhibited the leadership qualities required to advance our mission by serving in both chapter and task force roles.

As the Central Chapter Chair Don has mobilized members to collaborate with other organizations to offer public forums on several of MASW’s priority issues. For example, Don initiated an anti-bullying event with local school officials which brought needed attention to this community concern. As the Human Rights Task Force Chair, Don recently spearheaded the Profiling Project which brought a nationally known expert to Missouri to address this critical problem by working closely with Missouri’s Attorney General.

In addition, Don continues to offer his time and energy to the Board of Directors and is always available to provide input and insight into the workings of the organization. Don is a very active MASW leader and we are happy to call him a good and generous friend. Don is also very active with the Unitarian Universalist Jefferson City group from their soup kitchen to Chairing the Jefferson City Branch of the Mid Missouri PFLAG Chapter.

William J. Hutchison, SJ, received a Special LIfetime Achievement Award

William J. Hutchison, SJ -- "Father Bill", as he is known to his colleagues and friends at MASW -- has been an amazing asset to the St. Louis community for decades. He has lived and worked in North St. Louis City for over 30 years. He is one of the pastors of St. Matthew the Apostle’s parish and has been a key stakeholder in keeping that an active and vibrant parish.

In 1973, he helped found the Northside Community Center and Northside Community Housing, Inc (at that time one organization- but now two separate 501c3’s). The Community Center which is located in The Ville neighborhood in North St. Louis, serves meals to seniors, provides a place for seniors to meet and works with youth of the neighborhood. The Northside Community Housing organization began revitalizing homes in the area in 1978. Since that time, the organization has revitalized or built over 200 units for the neighborhood.

He has served on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and served on the Archdiocese Commission on Human Rights.

Through the vision of Father Bill Hutchison, a former dean of the School of Social Work, The Emmet J. and Mary Martha Doerr Center for Social Justice Education and Research was established in 1996. It was funded through an endowment by the Doerrs, the family of a 1937 graduate of the School and through contributions by faculty and friends of the School. It is an independently funded center within the School of Social Work that promotes long range solutions to social problems through education and research.

Fr. Bill served as Dean of the School of Social Work, St. Louis University from 1985 to 1995. He has been very active in promoting human and civil rights, affordable housing, child welfare and reducing poverty.

Fr. Bill has very faithfully served on the MASW State Board, St. Louis Chapter Board and the Endowment Committee.

Past Years

Updated:11/07/2011