Growing up on the eastside of Detroit, Michigan was unique but challenging. I come from a family of twelve where our daily existence often lacked the essential resources for survival such as water, electricity, gas, and even food at times. The stability of our shelter was never guaranteed; missed mortgage or rent payments frequently resulted in the loss of our home as we relocated from one place to another. The physical hardships faced by our parents made them unable to provide for us emotionally and spiritually. Our upbringing was based on survival, lacking the element of love. This impacted the person I am today in many ways, but primarily shaped my career choice. Having gone through so much trauma as a child, I knew it was my responsibility to start a journey of healing. This would not have been possible if not for my team of mental health professionals. Their influence has motivated me to pursue a career in social work, aiming to support children who, like me, faced challenging upbringings. My first hand experience of being underprivileged will help me to assist individuals through hardships from a social work perspective. After graduating, my goal is to work in child welfare. My childhood experiences drive me to advocate for those whose voices often go unheard and to validate their personhood. My previous work with children on the autism spectrum has shown me where my passion lies: empowering children to become independent and self-sufficient. I aim to equip them with the skills to advocate for themselves while fostering a secure environment. My ultimate objective is to ensure they end up in stable, nurturing environments where they can thrive and grow. Like everyone, I have strengths and weaknesses. In terms of social issues, my weakness lies in my lack of knowledge. While I understand some injustices affecting certain demographics, I acknowledge my ignorance about others, hindering my effectiveness as an advocate. I aim to broaden my understanding through exposure in this program to better advocate for all. On the other hand, I excel in relationships. I approach them with respect, kindness, and empathy, tailoring my interactions to individuals' preferences while maintaining my own authenticity. By way of self criticism, I recognize a tendency to be overly self-critical. I reestablish my perspective to be a kinder, more empathetic one. My passion lies in people. I'm intrigued by different cultures, ethnicities, and religions, constantly seeking to engage with diverse backgrounds, which enhances my tolerance and empathy. I value differing perspectives, as they enrich my learning experience. I prioritize knowledge and exposure of diverse thoughts over reinforcing my own beliefs. In my current role as a safety specialist, I face constant workplace stress, balancing OSHA compliance and the safety of my team. Despite the pressure, I thrive in high-stakes environments, driven by my commitment to ensuring people's safety, both now and in my future career. Fortunately, I've managed to maintain work-life balance while juggling my job and school. I meticulously plan my days to allocate time for schoolwork, prioritizing my education to ensure success. With my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), I aim to advocate for and support underprivileged children in urban communities, helping to secure safe and stable home environments where their needs are met. I'm not only passionate about this field of work but also confident that I will excel in it.

Growing up on the eastside of Detroit, Michigan was unique but challenging. I come from a family of twelve where our daily existence often lacked the essential resources for survival such as water, electricity, gas, and even food at times. The stability of our shelter was never guaranteed; missed mortgage or rent payments frequently resulted in the loss of our home as we relocated from one place to another. The physical hardships faced by our parents made them unable to provide for us emotionally and spiritually. Our upbringing was based on survival, lacking the element of love. This impacted the person I am today in many ways, but primarily shaped my career choice. Having gone through so much trauma as a child, I knew it was my responsibility to start a journey of healing. This would not have been possible if not for my team of mental health professionals. Their influence has motivated me to pursue a career in social work, aiming to support children who, like me, faced challenging upbringings. My first hand experience of being underprivileged will help me to assist individuals through hardships from a social work perspective. After graduating, my goal is to work in child welfare. My childhood experiences drive me to advocate for those whose voices often go unheard and to validate their personhood. My previous work with children on the autism spectrum has shown me where my passion lies: empowering children to become independent and self-sufficient. I aim to equip them with the skills to advocate for themselves while fostering a secure environment. My ultimate objective is to ensure they end up in stable, nurturing environments where they can thrive and grow. Like everyone, I have strengths and weaknesses. In terms of social issues, my weakness lies in my lack of knowledge. While I understand some injustices affecting certain demographics, I acknowledge my ignorance about others, hindering my effectiveness as an advocate. I aim to broaden my understanding through exposure in this program to better advocate for all. On the other hand, I excel in relationships. I approach them with respect, kindness, and empathy, tailoring my interactions to individuals' preferences while maintaining my own authenticity. By way of self criticism, I recognize a tendency to be overly self-critical. I reestablish my perspective to be a kinder, more empathetic one. My passion lies in people. I'm intrigued by different cultures, ethnicities, and religions, constantly seeking to engage with diverse backgrounds, which enhances my tolerance and empathy. I value differing perspectives, as they enrich my learning experience. I prioritize knowledge and exposure of diverse thoughts over reinforcing my own beliefs. In my current role as a safety specialist, I face constant workplace stress, balancing OSHA compliance and the safety of my team. Despite the pressure, I thrive in high-stakes environments, driven by my commitment to ensuring people's safety, both now and in my future career. Fortunately, I've managed to maintain work-life balance while juggling my job and school. I meticulously plan my days to allocate time for schoolwork, prioritizing my education to ensure success. With my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), I aim to advocate for and support underprivileged children in urban communities, helping to secure safe and stable home environments where their needs are met. I'm not only passionate about this field of work but also confident that I will excel in it.

Growing up on the eastside of Detroit, Michigan was unique but challenging. I come from a family of twelve where our daily existence often lacked the essential resources for survival such as water, electricity, gas, and even food at times. The stability of our shelter was never guaranteed; missed mortgage or rent payments frequently resulted in the loss of our home as we relocated from one place to another. The physical hardships faced by our parents made them unable to provide for us emotionally and spiritually. Our upbringing was based on survival, lacking the element of love. This impacted the person I am today in many ways, but primarily shaped my career choice. Having gone through so much trauma as a child, I knew it was my responsibility to start a journey of healing. This would not have been possible if not for my team of mental health professionals. Their influence has motivated me to pursue a career in social work, aiming to support children who, like me, faced challenging upbringings. My first hand experience of being underprivileged will help me to assist individuals through hardships from a social work perspective. After graduating, my goal is to work in child welfare. My childhood experiences drive me to advocate for those whose voices often go unheard and to validate their personhood. My previous work with children on the autism spectrum has shown me where my passion lies: empowering children to become independent and self-sufficient. I aim to equip them with the skills to advocate for themselves while fostering a secure environment. My ultimate objective is to ensure they end up in stable, nurturing environments where they can thrive and grow. Like everyone, I have strengths and weaknesses. In terms of social issues, my weakness lies in my lack of knowledge. While I understand some injustices affecting certain demographics, I acknowledge my ignorance about others, hindering my effectiveness as an advocate. I aim to broaden my understanding through exposure in this program to better advocate for all. On the other hand, I excel in relationships. I approach them with respect, kindness, and empathy, tailoring my interactions to individuals' preferences while maintaining my own authenticity. Fortunately, I've managed to maintain work-life balance while juggling my job and school. I meticulously plan my days to allocate time for schoolwork, prioritizing my education to ensure success. With my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), I aim to advocate for and support underprivileged children in urban communities, helping to secure safe and stable home environments where their needs are met. I'm not only passionate about this field of work but also confident that I will excel in it.

Early childhood development trauma can have a great impact on shaping not only immediate emotional and behavioral responses but also influencing long-term psychological and physical health outcomes. Children who endure trauma during their formative years often struggle with a plethora of challenges, ranging from heightened anxiety and depression to difficulties in forming healthy relationships and regulating their emotions. The impact extends beyond mental health, intertwining with cognitive development, educational achievement, and even physical well-being. Such experiences can impact the brain, altering neural pathways and setting the stage for a lifelong struggle with stress regulation and emotional stability. Without adequate support and intervention, the consequences of early childhood trauma can exist through individuals' lives, affecting their interpersonal connections, career trajectories, and overall quality of life. i have first hand experience with this as growing up on the eastside of Detroit, Michigan was unique but challenging. I come from a family of twelve where our daily existence often lacked the essential resources for survival such as water, electricity, gas, and even food at times. The stability of our shelter was never guaranteed; missed mortgage or rent payments frequently resulted in the loss of our home as we relocated from one place to another. The physical hardships faced by our parents made them unable to provide for us emotionally and spiritually. Our upbringing was based on survival, lacking the element of love. This impacted the person I am today in many ways, but primarily shaped my career choice. Having gone through so much trauma as a child, I knew it was my responsibility to start a journey of healing. This would not have been possible if not for my team of mental health professionals. Their influence has motivated me to pursue a career in social work, aiming to support children who, like me, faced challenging upbringings. My first hand experience of being underprivileged will help me to assist individuals through hardships from a social work perspective. After graduating, my goal is to work in child welfare. My childhood experiences drive me to advocate for those whose voices often go unheard and to validate their personhood. My previous work with children on the autism spectrum has shown me where my passion lies: empowering children to become independent and self-sufficient. I aim to equip them with the skills to advocate for themselves while fostering a secure environment. My ultimate objective is to ensure they end up in stable, nurturing environments where they can thrive and grow.