Making An Impact Together
HECTOR
After serving eight years in the Marine Corps as a machine-gunner, including two combat deployments to Iraq, Hector was fortunate enough to receive assistance from a VetCenter Social Worker who empowered him to stay in the proverbial fight for life. Hector’s passion is to advocate for veterans who are unsure how to receive benefits they have earned or have been denied these benefits due to technicalities. Working with HPAL provides him with a great opportunity to practice macro skills crucial to running an organization that dedicates time to serving the community.
CARINA
Prior to entering the field of social work, Carina worked with incarcerated youth as a Juvenile Correctional Officer. This experience opened Carina’s eyes to the need for additional mental health services among system-involved youth, leading her to pursue a career as a forensic social worker. Upon graduation, Carina will work to reduce recidivism rates by building cross-sector collaborations between law enforcement and mental health agencies. As an HPAL intern, Carina is passionate to break the silence of mental health issues in the Latinx community and is extremely appreciative of the opportunity to learn from HPAL’s resilient families.
OWEN
Owen chose to pursue a career in Social Work to help individuals enhance their social functions, and to provide services and be an advocate for social justice to communities like East Los Angeles where he grew up. Owen is very passionate about helping minority and low income youth and plans to work with children who are in and out of our legal system. After graduation from USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, Owen plans to obtain his License of Social Work. Owen’s passion to work with youth and their families continues to encourage him to do the work he does.
MAYRA
Mayra chose a career in Social Work to make a change in her community and to advocate for people living in underserved communities. Her goal is to inspire both youth and adults to overcome adversity and reach their goals. Upon graduation, she intends to work for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and/or the Probation Department. Eventually, Myra wishes to attend Law School and work towards licensure. What she loves about working with HPAL is that the families she works with remind her of her family and her upbringing. She hopes to be an example that hard work and dedication pay off.
RAQUEL
Raquel has worked in the non-profit sector for 15 years and has always sought opportunities for growth to be better prepared when she advocates for change in her community. Her experiences have taught her that it is important to fight for equity in housing and education. Through her work at shelters, she has witnessed the importance that community support plays in the transformation of people that go from feeling broken to feeling accepted and loved. The work that people do collectively inspires her on a daily basis. Upon graduation, Raquel wants to continue to advocate to end homelessness in Los Angeles.
JOSE
Growing up in South Los Angeles, and a child of immigrant parents has allowed Jose to experience first-hand the poverty and the injustice. With his degree he hopes to be the force empowering the vulnerable, oppressed, and impoverished members of his community, and to strengthen their ability to address their own needs. Jose would be able to offer resources such as community based programs, diversion programs, and family programs, and help families handle emotional and social issues at home, school, or in the community. Upon graduation, he would like to work with youth who have committed a criminal offense and/or youth detained in juvenile detention centers.
SALLY
Sally chose a career in Social Work because she wants to contribute to reducing the adversities that impact people. Once obtaining her degree she would like to work in program development to create programs that would be useful to the community. In the future, she’d also like to work in advocacy in government for social policies. What Sally likes the most about working with the families in HPAL is being able to assess the needs of the community by engaging in an individual level.
ELIZABETH
Elizabeth chose a degree in social work due to the variety of opportunities and different paths available within the helping profession. After volunteering for Orange County’s Child Abuse Services Team for a year, I found a strengthened passion for working with children of all ages. For the future, her exact plan is not definite. However, Elizabeth would like to pursue licensure where personal connections as well as interactions can be made. It is an honor and a privilege for Elizabeth to be a USC MSW intern at Hollenbeck PAL. The best part for Elizabeth about HPAL is that while the families learn and grow everyday, she does as well.
MARCIA
Growing up in Aliso Village projects, a low-income community, Marcia experienced the reality of underserved communities. As a child, she developed a passion to help those in need and to make a difference in society. This burning flame for advocacy led her to obtain a bachelor’s degree in sociology at California State University, Los Angeles. Thereafter, she pursued a master’s degree from the University of Southern California, where she currently studies social work. Marcia plans to become a licensed clinical social worker to provide therapy for individuals and families. Here at the Hollenbeck Police Activities League (HPAL), Marcia exercises her clinical skills by providing therapy to our HPAL families. She is motivated to utilize healthy communication skills and evidence based practice, in order to help repair family relationships. Marcia loves HPAL’s mission to advocate for families in need of community resources and strong supportive connection.
DARLA
Darla is a Los Angeles Police Department Reserve Officer, a graduate from Cal State LA’s School of Criminal Justice, a recording artist, and a student at the University of Southern California Master of Social Work Program. As an adoptee and founder of the nonprofit organization Refining Purpose, Darla is committed to challenging the status quo and providing a genuine support system for underprivileged youth and the adoptee population. This young scholar appreciates working with HPAL families because she believes everyone deserves an opportunity to soar and utilize accessible resources. As a recording artist, Darla understands the importance of building a rapport with young individuals and shining a light on their skills. Darla’s passion to inspire social change and influence young people highlights her dedication Hollenbeck PAL and to our mission.