For Immediate Release August 27, 2004

Contact NASW Communications 202-336-8228 lcurry@naswdc.org

Helena Lee Receives 2004-2005 Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarship from the NASW Foundation

Washington The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) is proud to announce that Ms. Helena Lee of Bronx , New York will receive the Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarship.

This scholarship is awarded to MSW candidates who express an interest in or work with the African American community through practice in health or mental health. Scholarship recipients now work in hospitals, medical clinics, and social services agencies that provide treatment and specialized services to African American patients.

Ms. Lee currently works in the Department of OB/GYN and Women's Health at the North Central Bronx Hospital . She has also focused on forming a group for women in the Bronx community who are living with AIDS or are HIV positivehelping them learn to find balance and focusing on support through friendship.

In the future, Ms. Lee hopes to open a settlement house specifically for women who are HIV positive but who are also trying to detach from methadone treatment. Currently, there are no such services for women, however, there are several facilities that meet the needs of men who are also HIV positive. The goals of this program would be to assist clients with skills, direction, validation and the motivation they will need to succeed in the world of normalcy.

Ms. Lee is a student in the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University in New York City .

For more information about the NASW Foundation or educational scholarships, please contact NASWF via email at naswfoundation@naswdc.org

The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF), in Washington , DC , focuses on enhancing the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through the advancement of social work practice.