Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi

Event

Social Activity Conducted Within the Scope of TÜBİTAK 2209-A Project

Under the supervision of Dr. Hazal Swearinger, the TÜBİTAK 2209-A project titled “Social Work for Individuals with Mental Disabilities Receiving Residential Institutional Care,” carried out by Mehtap Gür and Hanife Kırdağ, held a project activity on December 25, 2025, at the Private Çankırı Life Disabled Care Center. Within the scope of the event, planned practices aimed at supporting the socialization processes of individuals with mental disabilities were implemented. Through sports, art, and group-based activities conducted within the project framework, it was aimed to increase participants’ social interaction, strengthen their self-confidence, and enhance their psychological well-being. The activities carried out were considered an important step toward increasing the social participation of individuals receiving residential care services and contributing field-based insights to social work practice. It is planned that the findings obtained at the end of the project process will...

December 25, 2025

Event

“Pom-Pom and Prayer Bead Making with the Elders” Event Held

The event titled “Pom-Pom and Prayer Bead Making with the Elders,” organized by students of the Social Work and Counseling Department of Çankırı Karatekin University Social Sciences Vocational School, was held on Tuesday, December 9, at İsmail Özdemir Nursing Home. The event was planned and implemented under the coordination of Department Head Dr. Hazal Swearinger. With the contributions of Yasemin Kaygusuz, Ayşegül Mercan, and Berke Soyak, a hands-on craft activity focusing on pom-pom and prayer bead making was carried out together with elderly residents of the nursing home. The production process was conducted using colorful yarns, keychain apparatus, pom-pom makers, prayer beads, and fishing line. Students guided the elderly participants and provided one-on-one support whenever needed, helping to maintain motivation throughout the activity. A total of 12 individuals (6 men and 6 women) participated in the event. It was observed that participation was high and that the elderly ind...

December 9, 2025

Event

“From Waste to Art” Recycling Awareness Exhibition Held

The event titled “From Waste to Art – Recycling Awareness Exhibition,” carried out by students of the Social Work and Counseling Department of Çankırı Karatekin University Social Sciences Vocational School, was held between November 18 and December 9, from 13:00 to 16:00, at Şehit Korhan Kuruçay Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School. The event was planned and implemented under the coordination of Department Head Dr. Hazal Swearinger. In the project, where Sevim İfakat Demiray, Pınar Taştan, and Orhancan Sarsılmaz took active roles, the aim was to increase environmental awareness and recycling consciousness among vocational high school students. Throughout the project, recycling ideas were developed together with the students; creative products were designed using cardboard, glass bottles, plastic bottles, jars, caps, paper cups, and various packaging wastes. The completed works were exhibited in the school corridor, creating a widely attended awareness space. Within the sco...

December 8, 2025

Event

“One Brush of Love” Social Responsibility Event Held

The social responsibility event titled “One Brush of Love,” carried out by students of the Social Work and Counseling Department of Çankırı Karatekin University Social Sciences Vocational School, was held on December 3 between 11:00–16:00 at the Çankırı Private Life Care Center. The event was planned under the coordination of Department Head Dr. Hazal Swearinger. In the activity, where Mehtap Gür, Osman Ahad Sel, and Helin Kurutaş took active roles, the goal was to support individuals with mental disabilities in expressing themselves through art and music. Within the program, original paintings were drawn and coloring work was carried out on the walls of the care center. Afterwards, a fun and motivating musical activity was held with the accompaniment of a music group. Participants engaged in social interaction by singing songs and spending time together. With the participation of 15 individuals, the event was observed to provide enjoyable moments while supporting communication and...

December 4, 2025

Event

“Green Steps” Event Raised Environmental Awareness Among Children

On December 3, 2025, between 14:00–15:25, an environmental-themed event titled “Green Steps” was held at Çankırı Karatekin Primary School. The event was carried out by Social Work and Counseling Department students Nuri Delicen, Atiye Astan, and Merve Erşahin, and was planned under the coordination of Department Head Dr. Hazal Swearinger. Within the scope of the event, primary school students were given an informative talk about environmental awareness and the importance of protecting nature. Following an interactive Q&A session that encouraged active participation, the program continued with a schoolyard clean-up activity. Students collected litter using gloves and trash bags and sorted the waste into recycling bins. A total of 15 students participated in the event. It was observed that the children gained new knowledge about the environment and experienced environmental cleaning as an enjoyable activity. The program concluded with refreshments of fruit juice and cake after the cle...

December 3, 2025

Event

“Mind Atlas” Quiz Competition Held

The quiz competition titled “Mind Atlas,” organized by students of the Social Work and Counseling Department of Çankırı Karatekin University Social Sciences Vocational School, was held on Friday, October 31, between 13:30–15:00 at Atatürk Secondary School. The event was planned and implemented under the coordination of Department Head Dr. Hazal Swearinger. Organized by Sena Doruk, Kardelen Dağoğlu, and Irmak Çelik, the event aimed to increase students’ interest in extracurricular general knowledge areas while fostering teamwork and collaboration skills. It also sought to promote equal opportunity in education, enhance motivation, and raise socio-cultural awareness. As part of the program, three selected sixth-grade classes participated in the competition in teams of three students each. Participants were asked 10 pre-prepared general knowledge questions. At the end of the contest, the first-place team received cinema tickets, while the second- and third-place teams were awarded book...

October 31, 2025

Event

Sapling Planting Event Held as Part of the “Little Hands, Big Forests” Project

As part of the “Little Hands, Big Forests” social responsibility project, carried out in collaboration between the Social Work and Counseling Department of our university’s Vocational School of Social Sciences and the Çankırı Volunteers Association, a sapling planting event was successfully held on May 22, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM at the Uluyazı Campus. The event was organized by Dr. Hazal Swearinger and her students Sevim İfakat Demiray, Ayşegül Mercan, and Buse Aslan. During the event, which welcomed 25 students from Çankırı Güneş Primary School, participants were given both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in sapling planting, with the aim of fostering environmental awareness. We would like to thank the presidents of the Çankırı Volunteers Association, Şevket Koç, Doğan Güney, and Bayram Hatipoğlu; Principal of Güneş Primary School, Erkan Kaytez; 4-F class teacher Esra Yılmaz; and our Vocational School Director Prof. Dr. Barış Öztuna for their valuable contribu...

May 22, 2025

Event

Visit to Çankırı Private Life Care Center for the Disabled by Social Services Program Students

As part of the “Fields of Social Work” course taught by Lecturer Seda Veli Baki, students from the Social Services Program at Çankırı Karatekin University Vocational School of Social Sciences visited the Private Çankırı Life Care Center for the Disabled on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 11:00 AM. During the visit, students received information from the center’s officials about the service models offered and had the opportunity to observe firsthand the daily lives, care processes, and social integration efforts of individuals with mental disabilities. Discussions with the institution’s staff covered topics such as the role of social workers, challenges faced in care processes, and the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork. Students also spent one-on-one time with individuals with mental disabilities, experiencing the significance of social interaction and developing empathy. This visit not only helped students reinforce their professional knowledge and skills through real-world practic...

May 20, 2025

Event

End-of-Term Picnic of the Social Services Department

The end-of-term picnic organized by the Social Services Department of Çankırı Karatekin University Vocational School of Social Sciences was held on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Çankırı Karatekin University Nation’s Garden. The event saw high participation from students of the department, along with the Head of Department Dr. Hazal Swearinger and Lecturer Seda Veli Baki. After a year of gaining academic knowledge and experience, students enjoyed this meaningful day by having fun and spending quality time together. The picnic featured various games, competitions, and activities accompanied by music. Participants had the opportunity to enjoy nature and strengthen their bonds of friendship.

May 19, 2025

Event

Social Responsibility Project: Plastic Bottle Waste and Water Waste in the Cafeteria

As part of the “Civil Society and Social Work” course led by Dr. Hazal Swearinger, students from the Social Services Department of Çankırı Karatekin University Vocational School of Social Sciences carried out a meaningful social responsibility project in collaboration with the Civil Society Association. Titled “Plastic Bottle Waste and Water Waste in the Cafeteria,” the project was completed on May 9, 2025, in the university’s student cafeteria. As part of the project, students observed the number of unopened plastic bottles and the amount of water wasted, drawing attention to the environmental impact and the strain on natural resources. Informative visuals and awareness materials were displayed to highlight the extent of water waste and the importance of recycling. Social Services students Osman Ahat Sel, Nuri Delice, Berke Soyak, and Orhancan Sarsılmaz played an active role in the project, contributing significantly to both environmental awareness and the promotion of social respo...

May 9, 2025