I chose social work because of my personal experience navigating a complex healthcare system during my fight against cancer. Hearing the words, "Be your own advocate," became a guiding principle, but I quickly realized how isolating and overwhelming it was to advocate for myself without proper guidance. I needed someone familiar with the system, to be an advocate who could provide direction and help me understand my options. That experience fueled my passion for pursuing a career in social work with a macro focus to address the gaps in our systems and ensure that no one feels lost or unheard during their most vulnerable moments. Throughout my treatment, I often struggled to ask the right questions or advocate for alternative care options. I trusted that the professionals around me had my best interests in mind, but I later realized that healthcare systems, like many others, are fragmented. This experience highlighted the importance of streamlining resources and improving collaboration between departments to prevent patients from falling through the cracks. I want to create lasting change by helping institutions become more patient-centered, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, receives comprehensive support. My professional journey has also prepared me to contribute to meaningful change. At Sony, I developed a reputation for problem-solving and fostering collaboration across teams, earning awards for my efforts. I created systems that improved efficiency, such as a "Good Things to Know" guide for new employees, which reflected my commitment to making transitions easier for others. I’ve discovered that my ability to think outside the box and connect with people is a strength I can leverage in the social work field. Additionally, working with non-profits like the Starlight Children’s Foundation gave me a firsthand understanding of the challenges families face in healthcare environments. I realized how powerful it is to help people feel heard and informed, ensuring they understand their options. These experiences reinforced my desire to work on a macro level to improve systems and provide better resources for patients and their families. My goal is to create sustainable change within organizations, using my skills in communication and process improvement. I envision a future where I can work as a consultant, helping institutions optimize patient care and empower individuals through advocacy. This program aligns perfectly with my passion for using social work to bridge systemic gaps and improve lives. Earning this degree will provide me with the tools to transform my personal mission into a professional calling, ensuring that no one faces challenges like mine alone. In my journey through cancer and beyond, I learned that everyone deserves an advocate. With this degree, I’ll ensure that I can be that advocate and bring attention to unmet needs, streamlining confusing systems, and empowering individuals to thrive. Thank you

When I was going through Cancer at the tender age of 35, I had to rely on the system to help me through this time. Since profits and power tend to supersede the human condition, I fell through the cracks at the hospital and had to beg for services. When I finally met my social worker, she was far too busy to give me any attention or spend the time to help me mentally or even for simple resources. Feeling abandoned, I relied on my parents and thankfully a support group, to help with the resources I needed. Many of these experiences left me scared, scarred, and depressed with some pretty severe PTSD. After surviving, I attempted to go back to work… in hindsight, too soon. My brain simply did not function the same way. My priorities shifted and I wanted to make sure I worked to live and not lived to work. It didn’t take long for my supervisors to become frustrated when I wasn’t answering emails at 9 pm and upheld boundaries. They steadily became more and more abusive which led to my very first panic attack while in the office. I called a lawyer who supported me along with my support groups. This brought me to the realization that I wanted to make sure no one felt as unsupported as I did at that moment. I started to investigate ways to bring my passion to help people. I left movie marketing and became a case manager in Permanent Supportive Housing and continuum of care for current or formerly homeless clientele. The thing about this population is that there is no set reason they were/are in these circumstances. The main correlation was typically trauma and mental health. If it wasn’t mental health that brought them there, you could be sure the system is so broken, it can be enough to tip you over any edge. This is where I came in to advocate and prove to my clients that I care. Mental health is so fragile and has too many negative connotations. The word crazy is used far too often and I work to consciously stay aware I worked to normalize mental health with my clients and shared a few of my own stories when warranted. I work in a trauma-informed way, promoting evidence-based intervention utilizing motivational interviewing and harm reduction. To me, it’s second nature, but I am learning this is not the case and major training and reform needs to be explored. As their advocate, I had the unique opportunity to consistently work with social workers, clinical case managers, the LAPD, the Psychiatric Emergency Team (PET), Systemwide Mental Assessment Response Teams (SMART), the Department of Mental Health (DMH), In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), shelters, skilled nursing facilities, rehabs, doctors, hospitals, Department of Social Services (DPSS), Adult Protective Services (APS), Genesis Healthcare and even animal rescues. I ensured that the rights of my clients were being upheld and they were receiving the very best support. The support I so desperately needed. I would tell my clients that there is no shame in asking for help or resources and that I would be an ear for them when needed. Currently, I am back in school, for the first time in 17 years, to get my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree to continue to stay updated with resources and learn new ways of making a difference. This scholarship will help to support me through my journey. I will use my knowledge to provide awareness of trauma and how it affects mental health and to keep learning different ways to support all walks of life, so they don’t need to feel alone or unheard. I am very sorry to hear about your lovely mother, Sheri Rosser, and it is my life’s goal to bring awareness to mental health, provide resources and support for maintain mental health through self-care and support for those who are a work in progress. Thank you for this opportunity. Jennifer Newman

After surviving an illness myself, and not feeling supported, I knew I wanted to help people who, for whatever reason, cannot speak out for themselves. Making a late life-change, I have worked the past 2 years fighting for the rights of previously homeless, low income clients, whether it be dealing with the police, landlords, LA County, or even with higher ups at my own company. I have always had a fighting spirit and my father always said I should have been a lawyer myself. Although, perhaps that is because he is one of the 4 lawyers I have in my family. We have seen time and time again how profits and power supersede the human condition, and it might just be my biggest pet peeve to witness injustice (over whistling no less!). In mentioned research from The White House (2021), a chief aim of the Constitution, as drafted by the Convention, was to create a government with enough power to act on a national level, but without so much power that fundamental rights would be at risk. The idea of the constitution is to protect public rights and hold accountability for those in power. My role as a Case Manager in Permanent Supportive Housing and continuum of care allowed me to work on a macro scale advocating on a micro-level with multi-ethnic and diverse clients spanning young adulthood to geriatric populations and disparate walks of life. For 2 years, I had been a part of their continuum of care, advocating, serving, and supporting the disadvantaged. I’m trained to be trauma-informed, promoting evidence-based intervention utilizing Motivational Interviewing and Harm Reduction. Working at the non-profit The People Concern, broadened the field of social services for me by allowing me to advocate for clients with various physical ailments, mental conditions, addictions, alcoholism, hoarding, depression, and socio-cultural injustices to name just a few. This role presented me with the unique opportunity to have worked with social workers, clinical case managers, the LAPD, the Psychiatric Emergency Team (PET), Systemwide Mental Assessment Response Teams (SMART), the Department of Mental Health (DMH), In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), shelters, skilled nursing facilities, rehabs, doctors, hospitals, Department of Social Services (DPSS), Adult Protective Services (APS), Genesis Healthcare and even animal rescues. I ensured that the rights of my clients were being upheld and they were receiving the very best support. Currently, I have decided to go back to school, for the first time in 17 years, to get my Masters of Social Work (MSW) to continue to fight for underserved populations. Originally coming from a business background, I have the tools to take on whoever needs taking on to ensure someone is there to advocate and look out for the peoples' best interests. By preventing social injustices, I can work to protect the civil rights of others. Thank you for this opportunity. Reference: The White House. (2021, January 20). The Constitution. https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/our-government/the-constitution/