The Kelsey R. Kennedy “Love in Action”
Masters Research Fellowship
The KRK Fellowship is housed in the IDEAL Lab at the Center for Mental Health Services Research (CMHSR) at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
This annual fellowship supports Masters of Social Work students at the Brown School. The goal of this fellowship is to provide students with applied research experience, working with faculty scholars at CMHSR on projects related to mental health services and policy, LGBTQ+ youth, and housing.
The inaugural fellow/s will be announced in 2023
Kelsey R. Kennedy (they/them) was a social worker in Indianapolis, Indiana, who died by suicide on October 5th, 2022 at the age of 32. Kelsey embodied unbelievable strength and courage, speaking freely about their challenges with mental health and the secondary trauma they experienced working as a social worker on the frontline.
Kelsey spent their early career advocating for those experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis, working with Housing First and Harm Reduction models. Later, Kelsey worked with Trinity Haven to help provide safe affirming housing for LGBTQ youth in Indiana. Earlier in 2022, Kelsey’s dedication was recognized as the recipient of the 2022 ELEVATE Nonprofit Employee of the Year Award.
Kelsey was and always will be a force for love, kindness, and empathy. They dedicated their life to supporting and celebrating others, bringing tremendous joy and passion to everything.