California Social Welfare Archives

Preserving our social welfare heritage and helping bring social equity through the records of people, history, and passion. 

The mission of the CSWA is to collect and preserve documents and personal histories that illuminate the development of social issues and problems in the field of health and welfare in California, as well as the answers that have emerged to cope with such problems.

Guests enjoying CSWA 45th Anniversary Celebration, Pasadena 2024

Guests enjoying CSWA 45th Anniversary Celebration, Pasadena 2024

For the Continuation of our Programs…

How to Support Us

Please join us in building the CSWA Operations Fund to ensure long-term support for the California Social Welfare Archives so we can continue providing year long programming, such as our California Social Work Hall of Distinction, George Nickel Awards, and Oral Histories.

Your generosity ensures that we continue to honor those involved in bringing about the betterment of society and to ensure that the contributions of social work leaders, innovators, and pioneers will be recognized, studied, and preserved for the future. Any size gift is welcome and important.

To the movement of social progress in California:

The people who make CSWA the organization that it is today. Presenting “Our People” at CSWA.

Explore our next upcoming ceremony…

2025 California Social Work Hall of Distinction Induction Ceremony

Date: November 15th, 2025

Time: 4-8 PM PST

Location: Irvine, CA

Our Committees

Committees

As part of CSWA, there are currently five working committees: the Social Hall of Distinction, the Diversity Outreach and Development, the Membership and Operations, the Governance & Finance, and the Executive Committee.

Archive and Oral Histories

The California Social Work Archives location & the Oral History interviews can be found here. Follow the link to explore more.

Nominations

Here is a quick link to the Hall of Distinction Nomination page. If you know of an individual you believe should be considered for inclusion in this distinguished group, we invite you to submit a nomination.

Our Most Recent Celebration…

California Social Welfare Archives 45th Anniversary Celebration and Awards

The California Social Welfare Archives 45th Anniversary Celebration and Awards took place on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the Lomas Estate in Pasadena, California.

Presented by: CSWA, National Association of Social Workers-California Chapter, USC Suzanne Dworak Peck School of Social Work, and St. Johns Community Health Awardees: - Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy - Francis Feldman Excellence in Education Award - Dr. Barbara Ferrer - George Nickel Award - Pastor William D. Smart Jr. - George Nickel Award - Marisa Vasquez - Madeleine Stoner/Ralph Fertig Student Scholar Award -James DeBacco - Madeleine Stoner/Ralph Fertig Student Scholar Award

To follow along and view our digital program which contains all the tribute ads, credits, and additional history of the CSWA, please visit: https://issuu.com/californiasocialwel...