This was a journey with a story to go along with it.
There is very much a story about my Ph.D. journey.
One part of the story is why I chose to pursue my Ph. D. in Social Welfare. I started to journey as a way to agitate the social work profession. There is much I do regarding educational advocacy and social workers are not in the rooms.
WHY?
The social work profession is targeted toward working with poor people. So, WHY are social workers not fighting for education in impoverished communities where people are marginalized, under-resourced, and underrepresented? I wonder the reason myself because it is a travesty the profession trained to work with poor people does not help poor people in the most essential manner. AND, social workers are practitioners from the womb to the tomb.
Education is an institution that must help ALL since it interacts with multiple societal institutions simultaneously. Yes, a few are housing, labor, and health. Only time will tell the continued work of my fellow social workers.
I want to repeat, There’s a Doctor in the House and I am sounding the alarm.
In 2001, I received my BSW degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a double minor in Public Policy and African American Studies afterwards I entered the MSW program with Advanced Standing at Yeshiva University. In 2004, I received my Master's in Social Work degree and my PhD in Social Welfare in 2022 from Yeshiva University-Wurzweiler School of Social Work. The research study topic was "The Phenomenological Exploration of Academic Re-engagement for High School Completion" The qualitative method was used to examine students who leave high school before graduation and choose service-learning for high school completion.
Professionally, I have credentials as a School Social Worker, Supervision in Field Instruction (SIFI), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC), Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) and Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS).
My practice experience has been in the areas of substance abuse with/without medication assistance, mental health, and education/special education. Currently, I am a Program Coordinator, Adjunct Professor, and Community Advocate, Activist, and Organizer, Founder/Executive Director of Balm In Gilead Community Services, Inc, a non-profit organization in the City of Newark, and Chief Executive Officer of Making Connections Professional Services LLC.
My professional goal is to formulate and implement policy to address the systemic issues related to racism, poverty, education, violence, and health care. Also, advocate and articulate the negative effect of those issues to decision-makers for providing a better understanding of the impact/outcome of those decisions upon individuals, families, and communities that are underserved, under-resourced, marginalized, and disenfranchised. I am a member of the finest organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
#advocate #activist #organizer who talks about #love #wellness #antiviolence #wellbeing #socialwork #mentalhealth #education #health #antiracism #poverty
View more posts
sistateacher 