LUCY

My name is Lucy Balian, a Master of Social Work student at California State University, Northridge. My experience providing administrative support in different fields, such as healthcare, law enforcement, and academia, exposed me to societal injustices. At the time, I was limited in my administrative role and could not make an impact on correcting the injustices I saw. I had no advocacy leverage, so I decided to pursue a degree in social work to become a leader and mental health advocate in my community. My career change took effect four years ago when I volunteered for the Los Angeles Police Department and participated in several “ride-alongs.” Soon after this experience, I was inspired to research career paths linking law enforcement and social work.  I realized that public safety and mental health treatment are essential for my community, and I wanted a career focusing on forensic and corrections social work and juvenile justice; however, CSUN was not contracted with agencies working with underserved youths at risk of entering the system. So, I researched agencies partnered with law enforcement and discovered HPAL. Through my advocacy efforts, CSUN is now contracted with HPAL, and now other CSUN MSW students with similar career interests have the opportunity to intern here. My post-graduation career aspirations include being an LAPD police officer and clinical social worker.

While at HPAL, I 1) provided Therapy and case management services to youth and families in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles, 2) Worked collaboratively with HPAL staff to assist with parenting classes and skill-building activities for families by improving communication and emotional regulation, and 4) ensured a healthy functioning family system by linking them with available community resources.  Reflecting on my experiences at HPAL, I especially feel proud when I see my clients incorporating healthy coping skills learned in sessions when presented with life challenges. I am thankful for my experiences at HPAL; I feel more knowledgeable and better prepared to serve my community proactively.

AUTUMN

My name is Autumn Abary, and I am currently working on my BASW in the School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach. The program focuses on generalist social work practice at the Bachelor’s level, primarily training students to engage in micro or mezzo practice ranging from caseworker to community outreach at various settings and agencies. I decided to pursue social work as a career because of my personal history and upbringing. However, I also have a strong interest in sociology and social justice, so the intersection of interests brought me into a field where I could apply my passion and desire to help others meaningfully and directly. What I enjoy the most about interning at HPAL is the ability to connect, support, and help individuals and families at risk of or are currently entangled in the juvenile justice system or the Department of Children and Family Services. Professionally, I would like to advocate for inmates and individuals reentering society from confinement, working with diversion clients is one way that interning with HPAL has brought me a step closer to that goal.