Professor Colin Shares Hope and Advocacy at National Conference

As America’s population grows older, the question of how to care for and empower aging adults has never been more urgent. For Jennifer Colin, LMSW, Program Director and Associate Professor of Social Work at Kuyper College, the answer lies in dignity, advocacy, and the simple yet profound act of choosing hope.

Earlier this month, Colin brought that message to the 71st Annual Program Meeting (APM) of the Council on Social Work Education, held in Denver, Colorado. The conference—centered on “Championing Disability Justice and Disability Joy in Social Work”—drew professionals and educators from across the country to explore how to advance inclusion and equity within the field.

Colin’s presentation, titled “Supporting Those with Disability That Accompanies Aging,” examined how social workers can help older adults face the intersection of aging and disability with resilience and purpose.

“People are living longer. This calls for us to consider how we can support individuals who are navigating the barriers of  both aging and the disability that can occur with it. Our goal is not simply to help them survive–but to empower them to thrive.”

Her session opened with the story of Allen, a 67-year-old stroke survivor who, after a leg amputation during the COVID-19 pandemic, was discharged home with minimal support. Confined to a small, dark room, Allen’s life had narrowed to television and isolation—until a social worker intervened, connecting him to care and restoring a measure of dignity and hope.

Stories like Allen’s illustrate the complex realities Colin’s presentation addressed: physical limitations, loneliness, financial stress, discrimination, and the grief that comes with losing independence. She highlighted how ageism and ableism, though distinct, often overlap—undermining the health, confidence, and inclusion of older adults.

“Social workers are uniquely positioned to counter these issues,” she said. “We can help clients affirm their worth, understand their rights, and rediscover joy through relationships, hobbies, and faith.”

Drawing on the NASW Code of Ethics, Colin underscored that the profession’s mission is to “enhance human well-being” and “empower those who are vulnerable.” To that end, she outlined both micro and macro interventions—practical ways social workers can respond.

On the micro level, Colin encouraged practitioners to use strengths-based approaches, reminiscence therapy, and music-assisted interventions to foster memory, identity, and connection. Even simple activities—like birdwatching, tabletop gardening, or listening to audiobooks—can rekindle purpose and joy.

On the macro level, she urged advocacy for inclusive policy and positive representation of aging and disability in media. She highlighted pending legislation such as the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025, which aims to expand access to services and assistive technology for older adults.

Colin closed with a reminder that advocacy begins with introspection. She invited her audience to reflect on their own assumptions about aging and disability, and to let compassion guide their work.

Quoting Christopher Reeve, she added, “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.”

For Colin, that choice reflects not only professional ethics, but also Kuyper College’s faith-infused mission. “At Kuyper, we teach our students that every person is created in God’s image. Supporting aging individuals, especially those who encounter challenges, is one valuable way we can live out that truth.”