Why I Became A Social Worker

I decided I wanted to become a social worker when I was a little kid, not understanding what the career entailed. I was amazed when I got older and understood all the different types of jobs you could have as a social worker. Growing up, my grandmother and her long-term boyfriend abused me from age three to age eleven. I didn't report my abuse until I was sixteen years old and lived in another state. I reported to a social worker. I was pulled out of school by social workers to ensure my safety at home through DCF. I had a child forensic interview conducted by a social worker, and later in my life, I would again encounter more social workers.

The abundance of resources each social worker provided me and their care and consideration of my best interests are some of the main reasons I'm the person I am today. However, the DCF system and the criminal justice system are deeply flawed, and I have experienced their shortcomings as a survivor and as a social worker.

There were many signs I displayed as a child that I was being sexually abused, however, teachers and other professionals failed to report it. I did not receive justice through the court system after reporting my physical and sexual abuse as a child. Later on, I made my victim impact statement in court at age seventeen on a sextortion case I was the victim of. My perpetrator only got seven days in jail for the 92 consecutive days of sextortion I experienced and is now a free man.

A month before my eighteenth birthday I was raped in my dorm room at The University of Missouri- Kansas City. When I was nineteen I received a letter in the mail stating there was insufficient evidence for a conviction despite my SANE (also known as a rape kit) never being tested.

I hope that by obtaining my MSW and continuing to get clinical supervision for two years post-grad, I can pass the licensure exam and help make an impact for survivors. I have worked with survivors of sexual assault as a hospital advocate and educator on the speaker's bureau at MOCSA. I got the opportunity through my graduate program to also be a victim advocate for survivors of domestic violence and hate crimes through the court system at a State Attorney's Office in Florida. My most recent social work internship was at a mental health center/psychiatric facility for adults where I assisted clients with discharge planning and engaged in case management.

I graduate with my MSW at the beginning of May 2025 and couldn't be more excited about my future impact on communities in need.

I'm not sure what my exact plans upon graduation are, but I'm looking forward to slowing down and appreciating the little things. This program is very grueling, It will be nice to have some time to reconnect with myself and ensure I don't experience burnout before embarking on the next chapter of my social work journey.

Thank you for following along on my journey, and I can't wait to continue advocacy and release my first book toward the end of 2025 / beginning of 2026.