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St. Cloud State University

College Publisher

Home > News

Alumn earns award

By Derek Sullivan

Published: Thursday, December 9, 2004

An SCSU grad not only received national recognition, but also an award named for her long-time mentor.

Cara Ruff, a 1992 SCSU graduate, won the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Award for Social Justice on June 10 at the National Association of Social Workers Minnesota conference at the Earle Browne Center at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

"I tell everyone that I have a Paul Wellstone sign in my garage, and everyday I look at it and remember the importance of doing something positive in society," Ruff said. "It is great that one of our great leaders is from Minnesota."

Paul Wellstone, a twice-elected senator and former college professor, died in a plane crash Oct. 27, 2002 in Eveleth, Minn. with his wife Sheila, daughter Marcia and several others.

Sandy Robin, chair of SCSU's social work department, said the Wellstones believed in the same principles as social workers and the award should bear their name.

"(Wellstone) was an advocate, an activist on behalf of people who are marginalized in our society," Robin said. "That fits in social work's values and ethics. He is what the social work profession is about."

Since Ruff left SCSU 12 years ago, she has consistently worked with current students.

"She is very involved in our program on an on-going basis," Robin said. "She is on our community advisory board, and she speaks in our classes frequently."

While speaking on campus or with her employees, Ruff consistently talks about the importance of helping others gain independence. Ruff began Independent Lifestyles Inc. in 1997 in St. Cloud. She has served as the agency's executive director since then. The organization provides training and overall living skills to disabled individuals. They not only teach living skills, but help people with their self-esteem.

"I tell people that an important aspect of social work is giving people the skills so they can help themselves," Ruff said. "It is wonderful when somebody can achieve something that is a strong sense of pride. We have to always work to empower people."

It was Ruff's work from February to May 2003 that prompted Robin to nominate the former SCSU student. Ruff coordinated one of the biggest grassroots efforts in Minnesota history.

Ruff wanted to restore state funding for Independent Lifestyles Inc. after the governor's budget eliminated all state money for the organization. Ruff worked with other social work advocates and legislators to organize public and private meetings. She was even asked to testify at a Senate hearing.

Over 4,000 letters were sent to government officials on the organization's behalf. Several van-loads of people came to the Minnesota State Capitol to meet with legislators.

"(Ruff) told me she pushed herself to do whatever she could do," Robin said.

Due to her hard work, the funding was restored to 70 percent after being slash to zero only three months earlier.

"She challenges social justice while respecting the inherent dignity and worth of a person," Robin said. "She advocates for living conditions conducive to the fulfillment of basic human needs."

Ruff's advocacy organization serves more than 600 clients in Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Meeker, Wright, Morrison, Mille Lacs, Kandiyohi and Isanti counties.

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