DGPL Social Work Program
The foundation has proudly provided funding for the DGPL Social Work Program since 2022. As part of the library’s partnership with Aurora University, social work student interns connect patrons with resources for housing, literacy tutoring, food pantries, domestic violence shelters, Medicaid, and more.
DGPL’s Social Work Program began in 2020, though intern positions were originally unpaid. In an attempt to eliminate barriers and attract a more diverse and qualified candidate pool of interns, the foundation began funding a stipend for the interns, paying them $15/hour and committing to 225-300 hours of social work per semester, in 2022.
For additional details, hours, and how you can utilize this program, visit DGPL’s Social Services page.
Impact
One-on-one interactions between patrons and social workers have significanly increased annually, particularly since clinical supervision began in the fall of 2023. In 2025, we saw a 36% increase in total interactions over 2024.
For three years (2022-23 through 2024-25 academic years), the foundation was the sole financial funder of this vital work. Due to the program’s success, and the community’s continuing and evolving need for these services, library trustees voted unanimously to approve their 2025 fiscal year budget with the addition of a full time social worker! DGPL’s full-time social worker began in June 2025.
However, there is still a need beyond what one social worker can provide, and the foundation continues to support one part-time social work intern.
We are very grateful to Community Memorial Foundation, who awarded the foundation a responsive grant in 2025 that will support an additional 600 hours of social work, with the goal of of increasing the amount of patrons served and types of services provided by at least 25%.
- In June 2025, the foundation was awarded a responsive grant from Community Memorial Foundation to support the social work program. Read more in Shaw Local and Patch (July 2025).
- Downers Grove North’s newspaper, Omega, highlighted the social work program: “Library Expands Social Services Program” (October 2024)
- The feature “Social Work Interns at Downers Grove library meeting patrons’ needs” was published in Shaw Local (April 2024)
- The social work program was featured on Kelly Jensen’s Substack, Stacked Thoughts and appeared as a letter to the editor in the Daily Herald. (March 2024)
- DGPL Foundation vice president Katie Johnson also spoke about the program’s impact at the March 2024 Library Board of Trustees meeting. Read a transcript.
- DGPL Foundation president Amanda ReCupido was a guest on the Library’s CoverToCover podcast where she spoke about the importance of the program (February 2024).
Your monetary donation to the foundation helps make this program sustainable. Consider making a donation to ensure further interactions like these that support all members of our community.
Your recurring donation of $15/month funds 12 hours of these vital social work services.