Arizona State University social worker students and staff who work with Project Rose. Photo courtesy of the university.

The Arizona State University School of Social Work participates in a program that offers women who are arrested for prostitution the chance to get services such as substance abuse counseling instead of jail time, according to this article on The State Press website.

The Diversion Program, dubbed Project Rose, is voluntary. Women who participate take part in 10 group sessions and a 36-hour class spread out over a week. The classes include guidance on getting a job and doing interviews.

Students from the school of social work volunteer in the program.

“We had some students come and take a tour, and then we had several students in the social work program come and volunteer for two-hour time slots,” social work graduate student Jessica Smith said. “To see those principles in action, I think brings a lot of meaning and value to what we learn in the classroom.”

KPHO TV in Phoenix also did a news segment on Project Rose, which claims to have a 35 percent rate in helping get women out of prostitution.

Cheers to The State Press and KPHO TV for highlighting some of the important work that social workers do!

Social workers help people overcome life’s challenges. To learn more visit the National Association of Social Workers’ “Help Starts Here” consumer website.