The core values of the social work profession include service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. A defining feature of social work is the “dual focus” on both the individual and structural determinants of human behavior. SHAWN seeks to promote policy and practice that align with these social work core values by building knowledge about the well-being of vulnerable and oppressed people and creating a constellation of human relationships that will celebrate and nurture the competencies of diverse scholars. In order to develop research expertise, undergraduates require consistent mentorship, financial support, and a scholarly community that nurtures a sense of belonging. Similarly, the ability of justice-involved women who use drugs to manage HIV risk may improve when legal sanctions offer dignity and support instead of punishment and exclusion. Ultimately, social workers believe that people can meet their own needs when they are supported by responsive institutions.