Hello! I’m Nicole Chavez, a Master’s student in Social Work at The University of Texas at El Paso with a commitment to transforming lives through mental health support. My journey is driven by a passion for becoming a Foster Care Therapist, where I aim to make a meaningful impact on the well-being of children and families. Through my journey to understand and address the unique challenges faced by youth and families in our border region, I’ve gained valuable experience through my internship at the Juvenile Probation Department, which has allowed me to identify needs in the community and the Juvenile Justice System. Currently, I’m furthering my goal as a home visitor with a local non-profit, where I provide early childhood education to parents of toddlers and offer assistance with basic needs. This not only allows me to support families at a foundational level but also aims to expand my knowledge on community needs and resources to better serve clients and prepare me to become a Foster Care Therapist.