Our Goal
Our goal is to educate and empower our colleagues and fellow citizens to never give up the fight for social justice, social change, improved communities and the dignity and worth of all people.
Our Mission
To contribute our evidenced based research and human interest stories via informational webinars, videocasts, training materials, written articles, workshops, and documentaries in an effort to educate and train current social workers, nonprofit workers, and community members.
Our Vision
To educate, empower, and inspire change makers and community members doing mission driven work to use the knowledge we shared to create positive sustainable change.
Our Motto
Knowledge~Power~Action~Change
Knowledge is power. Power leads to action. Action affects change. Change affects lives.
Our Team
- Our ACTT Social Change Warriors are Masters of Social Work (MSW) trainers who are specialized in macro community social work.
- Several members of our team are licensed social workers with experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Therapy, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), marriage counseling, and grief counseling.
- Several of our team members are Veterans who are Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHP) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors – Level I.
- Our SCW team members are educated and trained on the Grand Challenges of Social Work and are prepared to train fellow social workers and community members upon request.
- Our SCW Team is an intersectionality of the communities we will be collaborating with for social change.
Founder and Director
Kathern Felton Paige – MSW, BA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of Southern California
May 2017
Community Organization, Public Planning, Development and Business Innovation
Bachelor of Journalism (B.J.)
University of Wisconsin – Madison
May 1997
Broadcast News and Public Relations
Certified Police Officer
Madison College
May 1998
Police Science
I have a passion to serve communities through knowledge transfer and community organizing.
I believe by using innovation, collaboration, and training we can connect the dots among government, communities, businesses, and citizens.
Skilled communicator, active listener, and negotiator who uses empathy and insight to insure effective collaboration among individuals and groups. 30 years of experience in varied occupations including property management, non-profit, fundraising, police officer, environmental health and safety officer, macro social work with knowledge in community organizing, writing, training, leadership, public relations, MSW field instruction, and managing and supervising professional staff.
Development Coordinator
Betty Malloy – MSW, BA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of Southern California
December 2019
Social Change and Innovation
Bachelor of Psychology
North Carolina Central University
December 1984
Psychology
I graduated from the University of Southern California’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, with a concentration in Social Change and Innovations (formerly COBI). I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from North Carolina Central University. I have a special interest in quality assurance and policy compliance in NGOs. I care about the foundational structure of management and the effective training of staff tasked to carried out the mission of the agency. In the past, I have been responsible for the national accreditation and re-accreditation of seven different NGOs and ensured the agencies doors stayed open for their targeted mental health populations and families.
I look forward to building my skills to work more successfully with additional agencies and interdisciplinary teams, especially concerning the areas of Smart Decarceration, Black Women’s Mental Health Issues and Expanding Preventive/Responsive Services for School Counselors.
Content Coordinator
Marie Stamsen – MSW, BS
Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of Southern California
December 2017
Community Organization, Public Planning, Development and Business Innovation
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Colorado State University
December 2013
Applied Social Science & Criminal Justice
I believe in the power of change – and in today’s digital world, change can occur in an instant. My passion lies in helping organizations to promote their cause and advocacy for change through social media and digital platforms.
I am knowledgeable and skilled in helping non-profit organizations, communities, businesses and individuals to use their voice through the power of the digital platform.
Content Creators
Jannise Johnson – MSW
Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of Southern California
2019
Fear of mental illness and their treatments needs to be eliminated. I am excited by technologies and platforms that can reach multitudes in seconds instead of hours or even days. African-American and other communities of color still have higher rates of untreated mental illness and more skepticism about therapy and medications than the dominant population. I want to help end that.
A knowledgeable writer with almost two decades of professional journalism experience, MSW with case management skills, client-focused, empathetic, analytical yet strategic.
Anna Ribeiro – LMSW, BA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of Southern California
May 2020
Social Change and Innovation
Bachelor of Psychology (BA)
University of Arizona
May 2016
Licensed social worker (LMSW), skilled in conducting research and trained in evidence-based practices. Full-time therapist providing mental health counseling for children and families. Previous professional experience includes global event planning and vendor management. With 5+ years of volunteer experience as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and experience in a U.S. Congressional office as a Casework Intern assisting constituents interfacing with various federal agencies. Anna is passionate about affecting current social justice issues through education, advocacy, and action.
Geoffrey Wiggins-Long – MSW, BA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of Southern California
May 2019
Social Change and Innovation
Bachelor of Arts Psychology
West Chester University of PA
December 2013
Associates in Science-Liberal Studies
Montgomery County Community College
May 2007
Geoffrey’s passion centers around advocating for issues that will facilitate better life-qualities for differently abled individuals.
Having obtained his MSW from the University of Southern California (May , 2019), he seeks a career in the field of policy analysis and opportunities allowing better acquaintance, additional interaction, and macro capacity advocacy in the differently able community. One of his long-term goals is to establish a home renovation business, utilizes the concepts of Universal Design, that will allow accessibility to wheelchairs and/or other physical challenges.
Geoffrey believes that everyone, regardless of type or degrees of physical limitation, age or socioeconomic status should be able to living in a home without physical barriers. The objective is to eliminate the negative stigma held by society at large of people who are differently able; promote the realizations that these individuals need a hand up rather than handouts; and, finally, to create opportunities of empowerment , self-sufficiency, dignity, and respect for said community.
Program Advisors
Yesenia Covarrubias, LCSW
Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of Southern California
May 2017
Military and Family Social Work
Bachelor of Sociology (B.A.)
California State University, Northridge
December 2004
I am a University of Southern California 2017 graduate, receiving my Master of Social Work under the Military and Family Social Work department. I hold a dual bachelors in Psychology and Communication Studies from California State University, Northridge in 2004. I have been employed with the Department of Veterans Affairs under the Vet Center program as a Readjustment Counselor/Social Worker and Veterans Outreach Specialist. I have over 12 years of experience working within the Vet Center Program providing outreach/education, readjustment counseling, and transfer services to diverse personnel in a dynamic, fast – paced environment. As a Veteran and mental health provider, I have used my experience to support, educate, and empower individuals. I have been an instrumental force in developing and implementing events and programs aimed at connecting resources, educating community members, and empowering our Veteran community in maximizing available support. Such events include the following: The Road Home from Combat to College I and II, VA Empowerment Corner, Women Veteran Annual Luncheon, multiple Welcome Home Celebrations, Operations Christmas Joy, and many others aimed at connecting and strengthening our community.
Rafael C. Frederick- MSW, BS
Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of Southern California
May 2019
Social Change and Innovation
Bachelor’s Degree Social Work
Bridgewater State University
May 2015
Mr. Rafael C. Frederick was born and raised in Pontiac, Michigan, and went to Oakland Community College to obtain an associate degree in Mental Health\Social Work. He graduated with honors from the Mental Health\Social Work program in 2008. He continued his social work education at Marygrove College. While in Michigan, he used his voice to advocate for the issues that affected persons with disabilities.
He continued his college education at Bridgewater State University obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2015 and in 2019 he graduated from the University of Southern California with a Master’s in Social Work and a certification in military social work.
In 2021, Mr. Frederick founded By Your Side Services, LLC, an online agency with the mission to assist persons with disabilities, the elderly, active-duty military personnel, and veterans transitioning to another state within the United States. The agency’s goal is to help them maintain their services in their current condition. By Your Side Services, LLC is currently working in partnership with ACTT : Social Change Warriors.
Adina Beth Rubin – MSW, AOS, BA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of Southern California
December 2019
Social Change and Innovation (SCI) & Military and Family Social Work
Associate of Sciences (AOS)
Le Cordon Bleu, Portland, OR
May 2008
Hospitality and Restaurant Management
Bachelor of Theater Arts (B.A.)
California State University, Bakersfield
June 2004
Acting, Directing, Stage Management
Army Veteran – Desert Storm (E2, Disabled)
Ft. Jackson, SC
November 1992
63b – Light-Wheel Vehicle Mechanic
I have a passion to awaken individuals to seeing and sharing alternative pathways for creating positive change. By looking within themselves each person can discover how to innovate, collaborate, and create change. Through knowledge transfer and skill building, each person can then expand their own vision of how to help themselves, their families, businesses and communities overcome challenges.
I am a disciplined executive manager who encourages autonomy and individuation; where everyone has my 100% belief and support in their ideas. I seek to inspire connectedness and shared responsibility. As a military veteran, I have over 5 years of experience in public speaking, writing, training, public outreach, finance and accounting.
Robert Sands – MSW, MS, BS
Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of Southern California
May 2019
Social Change and Innovation (SCI) & Military and Family Social Work
Master of Criminology
Columbia Southern University
May 2013
Global Security Infrastructure
Bachelor of Science
American Military University
May 2008
Security Management and Cyber Security
Military (retired)
Various Leadership Positions
April 2014
As a lifelong leader, mentor, counselor, in and out of the military, churches, local communities/organizations I strive to make a difference. Currently employed with Veterans Affairs where I help Veterans and family members. I bring a plethora of talents that can make a difference. However, alone I touch a few lives combined with others we can achieve the impossible.