Barbera-Villegas International Lecture
Radically Loving Inside a Burning House: What Social Workers Need to Know About Immigration Today
Cost: Free
Location: Live on Zoom (Intercultural Center for In-Person Students)
Workshop and Panel Event
Nov. 25, 2025
4:30–6:30 p.m.
Continuing Education Units: 2 Social and Cultural Competence (must be present for the entire lecture)
Debrief: Processing Event
Nov. 25, 2025
6:30–7:30 p.m. (Immediately after panel event concludes)
Join us for an interactive workshop followed by a panel event!
Radically Loving Inside a Burning House
Presented by Shiree Teng
When we start from a place of radical love for ourselves, each other, our families, neighborhoods, and organizations, we learn to wield our power with love for our people. How do we do that right now inside a burning house? Let’s use this time to remember why we are in social work, and what calls us to that path of service. Let’s workshop with each other what it takes to remain loving in the face of environmental and external oppressions and opposition. Let’s build community to counter isolation and despair.
Shiree Teng is a community organizer, storyteller, and healer who believes that love and courage will lead the way towards our collective liberation. An immigrant kid who grew up organizing, she has never stopped. She holds degrees in social welfare and psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and has worked in the social sector for 35+ years as a social and racial justice champion. She’s been a frontline organizer, advocate, capacity builder, grant maker, (e)valuation partner, and leadership coach.
Immigration Today: What Social Workers Need to Know
Presented by Yasmin Angon and Itzel Hernandez
This portion of this evening’s presentation looks at how immigration policies in the U.S. affect individuals, families, and communities—and what social workers can do to help. Participants will learn about current immigration issues, their emotional and social impacts, and practical ways to support and advocate for immigrants.
The panelists will share examples from their agency, which combines legal help, social work, and community organizing to support immigrant communities and promote long-term change.
Yasmin Angon is a licensed clinical social worker dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged populations. She is the supervising social worker for American Friends Service Committee’s New Jersey Immigrant Rights Program. She earned her master’s degree in social work from Ramapo College of New Jersey.
Itzel Hernandez is an immigrant rights organizer with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), where she advances justice, dignity, and human rights for immigrant and marginalized communities. Grounded in her lived experience, she builds grassroots power through education, leadership development, and civic engagement. She is a graduate of New Jersey City University with dual degrees in National Security Studies and Political Science.
