Yvonne Mbewe, LCSW

Yvonne Mbewe, LCSW, originally from Lusaka, Zambia, is a social worker, educator, researcher, and doctoral candidate at the University of Connecticut’s School of Social Work whose work centers on childhood trauma, human rights, and structural inequities affecting children and families. Her current research examines the rehabilitation and reintegration of children affected by child labor in Zambia, drawing on the perspectives of social workers and community-based practitioners. Her work explores how rehabilitation and reintegration services are understood and delivered, the structural conditions that shape these efforts, and opportunities to strengthen rights-based responses for children.

Yvonne’s commitment to social change was shaped by her work advocating for youth involved in the juvenile justice system and children impacted by sexual exploitation and human trafficking. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Black and Puerto Rican Studies from Hunter College, CUNY, followed by a Master of Social Work from New York University. Her professional experience spans domestic and international work with immigrants and refugees, women and families, people experiencing homelessness and substance use, and students and families in New York City public schools.

In addition to her teaching and research at the University of Connecticut’s School of Social Work and the Human Rights Close to Home initiative, Yvonne currently serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at Columbia University’s School of Social Work.

MSW

New York University’s Silver School of Social Work

Research Interests:
Children’s Rights
Child Labor
Human Trafficking
Program Implementation
Policy Analysis
Unaccompanied Immigrant Youth Trauma
Forced Migration
Immigrant/Refugee Trauma
International Social Work
Positive Youth Identity Formation
Social Work Political Advocacy

View Yvonne’s CV