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Union University

Social Work

School of Social Work at Union

Center for Just & Caring Communities

Theresa Blakley leading a sessionMission

Humbled by God's lovingkindness, justice, righteousness, and compassion (Psalm 36:7, 136:1; Micah 6:8; Isaiah 1:17, 30:18); and forever changed by Christ's sacrifice to reconcile us to himself (Rom. 5:8, 2 Cor. 5:18-19), we aim to serve others with sincere love (Rom. 12:9-10, 1 Cor. 13, 1 Pet. 4:8-10) as we follow Christ in the work of the Center.

The Center's mission is to foster just and caring communities through connection, collaboration, advocacy, research, education, and service.

The CJCC is based upon the premise that just and caring communities are created and sustained by transformational relationships. Reciprocal and interactive connections between individuals, families, groups, communities, and society at large exist to either strengthen or violate healthy relationships within these systems. In striving to facilitate healthy relationships and community, the activities of the Center focus on providing education, conducting research, and promoting strategies that uplift, restore, and transform relationships with a special emphasis on vulnerable individuals and communities.

Initiatives Leadership History

Upcoming Events

  • March 13, 2026 - Continuing Education Series: "Trends and Challenges in Child Mental Health" with Dr. Donald Bearden, Associate Professor at University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Chief of Pediatric Psychology and Behavioral Health at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
  • April 10, 2026 - Continuing Education Series: "The Science and Art of Self-Care" with Dr. Meghan Larson, LCSW, Associate Professor at Union University
  • May 8, 2026 - Continuing Education Series: "Trends and Challenges in Adult Mental Health" with Pat Taylor, LCSW, Program Manager at Pathways, West Tennessee Healthcare

Initiatives

The Center has initiatives in two areas:

  1. Faith and Community Partnership:
    • Ongoing education and training within the profession of social work and faith communities
    • Service-learning opportunities linking the university and the community
    • Research around faith, church, and community engagement
  2. Cultivating Resilience:
    • Education around mental health, trauma, and resilience
    • Advocacy and service for vulnerable individuals and communities including victims of violent crime, homicide loss survivors, homeless individuals, first responders, etc.

Center Leadership

Meghan Larson, Director
(731) 661-5564, mlarson@uu.edu
Karen Dotson, Fellow
901-312-1921, kdotson@uu.edu
Jerome Blakemore, Fellow
901-312-1955, jblakemore@uu.edu
Tammy Patton, Fellow
731-661-6530, tpatton@uu.edu
Nita Mehr, Fellow

Center History

Nita Mehr, Mary Anne Poe, Theresa BlakleyEstablished in 2009, the Center for Just and Caring Communities is based on the premise that just and caring communities are created and sustained by transformational relationships. Reciprocal and interactive connections between individuals, families, groups, communities, and society at large exist to either strengthen or violate healthy relationships within these systems. The Center exist to conduct research and to promote strategies that uplift, restore, and transform community relationships with a special emphasis on vulnerable persons and communities.

Founding Professors

  • Mary Anne Poe, Director (center)
    Professor Emeritus
  • Nita Mehr, Fellow (left)
    Professor Emeritus
  • Theresa Blakley, Fellow (right)
    Professor Emeritus