Social workers support us at some of the defining moments of our lives: illnesses, recoveries, births, deaths, and virtually any other moment of challenge or transition—and the memory of their care is often an inspiration to pay it forward.

Fort Worth philanthropists and Longhorn parents John David and Leslie Moritz were inspired to give back to students in The University of Texas at Austin’s Steve Hicks School of Social Work for just that reason. “When my father was in hospice, I saw firsthand the importance of social work in the care that he received,” says Moritz. “In fact, this is what my family remembers most about that time.”

This spring the Moritz family gave more than $1 million to support the future of social work—investing in innovative approaches to its future, and offering a helping hand to UT students already making a difference in their communities.

Caring for Those Who Care for Us

UT’s social work students make a difference in their communities before they even receive their degree. Through required field education, they spend hundreds of hours interning in places like social work agencies, nonprofits, schools, legal clinics, health care providers, shelters, and recovery programs. These experiences are almost always unpaid, and many future social workers take on additional student debt to cover their living expenses, which they carry into their first—often low-paying—jobs as social workers.

“Financial support for social work students allows them to engage with the work of learning and not simply survive the stress of school,” says Tanya Voss, clinical professor and assistant dean for field education at the Steve Hicks School.

To meet those needs, John David and Leslie Moritz made a gift to create the Moritz Family Student Support Fund, an on-demand resource that provides much-needed financial assistance to students completing their field placements.

“The Moritz family’s scholarship enables our students to focus on the education they came to UT to get,” says Voss. “It lets the students know their contributions are valued.”

“John David and Leslie’s deep understanding of the pivotal role of social workers is matched by their generosity and unwavering commitment to our students,” says Allan Cole, dean of the Steve Hicks School. “They are not just helping them today, but making a lifetime impact by lightening the financial burden for the Longhorns who care for our communities.”

Help UT students who are dedicating their lives to helping others. Visit the Steve Hicks School of Social Work online or contact Marie Cloutier, executive director of development, at marie.cloutier@austin.utexas.edu.