Social Work Major Wears Several Hats on BVU Campus
Soccer team leader shows commitment to Jane's Closet, Orientation Team, and several organizations on campus.
Among class assignments and tasks associated with his presence on the Buena Vista University men’s soccer team, Brayden Bergum finds time for others. Before an interview, for example, he drove from Storm Lake to Newell to pick up pillowcases donated to Jane’s Closet, the newest entity at BVU.
Jane’s Closet, located in Swope Hall, is a site where foster care families in and around Buena Vista County may pick up clothing and other daily supplies needed when a new child comes into their home. The site is organized and run by BVU’s Student Association of Social Workers (SASW) and Marian Riner, Assistant Professor of Social Work
Jane’s Closet opened in 2021, transitioning from idea to reality after members of SASW visited Hull House on an experiential learning trek to Chicago in 2019. Hull House was established in 1899 by Jane Addams, a pioneer in social reforms and the first woman from the U.S. to win the Nobel Peace Prize (1931). Addams was the sister-in-law of BVU President John M. Linn, whose service to BVU went from 1892-94.
“The community has responded with so many donations for Jane’s Closet,” Bergum says. “It’s been gratifying to be part of the process in seeing the site get started and then continue to help foster families.”
In December 2021, Bergum and a host of BVU social work majors returned to Chicago with Riner, where, in that 2019 trip, group members volunteered at VA Fisher House, a place where family members of incapacitated military veterans stay free of charge, and served food at Pacific Garden, a soup kitchen.
“In 2021, we volunteered at Share Our Spare, a Chicago site that’s similar to Jane’s Closet, although much, much bigger,” Bergum says. “Share Our Spare is a closet for families in need, a place where families can pick up toys, diapers, clothing, and more. We have the same mission at Jane’s Closet: to serve those in need.”
Bergum, a 2019 Ames High School graduate, began his collegiate career as a digital media major at BVU. He switched to social work as a major after joining the Student Association of Social Workers and finding peers who share similar values. Being in the club led him to take social work classes, which deepened his interest.
“I joined the O-Team as a freshman and got involved in other groups on campus because I loved everything about BVU from the beginning.”
Brayden Bergum
Ultimately, Bergum may wish to use his digital media savvy in shedding light on issues surrounding human trafficking. His goal is to one day work with Thorn, a nonprofit cofounded by Iowan Ashton Kutcher who devotes resources to fight against human trafficking and the online distribution of child sexual abuse material.
“Digital media is how the world receives information today,” Bergum says. “Grabbing peoples’ attention through a documentary, for example, and working with the media is a way to share information and help fight trafficking.”
As a soccer player, Bergum continues his comeback from a knee injury that sidelined him much of the season. Despite not being able to play much, Coach Ross Minick hailed his commitment. “Brayden is part of our leadership committee,” Minick says. “Even during his injury, he came to all team activities in the Spring season of 2021 and then was able to play in our last game of the Fall 2021 season.”
Riner lauds his work in and out of the classroom as well.
“Brayden has so many talents and skills,” Riner says. “He is an amazing leader, which I’ve seen in his work as co-president of SASW. Following the opening of Jane’s Closet, Brayden would recruit fellow students to help serve in the site, students who’d never been there or maybe hadn’t heard of the site before. Because of his infectious enthusiasm, many others have become inspired to be part of something that’s growing as it makes a difference for children who are in a time of crisis.”
Bergum, who completed a social work internship with the Storm Lake Community School District last summer, plans to spend this summer as one of two student leaders for the BVU Orientation Team (O-Team), the group that helps incoming freshmen and transfer students acclimate themselves to life as Beavers. He’s also worked at the Yes Center in nearby Cherokee, a center for juveniles, and is a member of BV Buddies, the mentoring group that connects with young students in Storm Lake.
Bergum is also in Active Minds, the mental health club on campus, serves on BVU Student Senate, and has roles in the Student Activities Board and the BVU Student-Athlete Advisory Council. He spends part of the winter organizing an indoor soccer league for children through Storm Lake’s Community Education group.
“I joined the O-Team as a freshman and got involved in other groups on campus because I loved everything about BVU from the beginning,” Bergum says.
When it comes to efforts as a social work major, Bergum says it’s simply part of his mission, a commitment to do what he can to serve others.
“I had lots of opportunities when I was growing up,” he says. “I want to use my experience and what I had in creating opportunities for others. I want to be aware of problems others may face and do what I can to help them.”