Our semi-monthly series, In the Spotlight, is designed to introduce the staff, interns and volunteers who make up Sojourner. This month, meet our newest MSW intern, Addie.
What school do you go to and what program are you in?
I am in the Masters of Social Work program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
What interested you about interning at Sojourner?
I knew the internship at Sojourner would allow me the opportunity to explore my passion area and expand my background in intimate partner violence. Also, Sojourner is located within the community which I was raised and currently live. I find it meaningful that I have the chance to work with individuals in my own community to make everyone safer.
What other background/experience do you bring with you to Sojourner?
In 2016, I began volunteering as a children’s advocate at Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) in Madison, Wisconsin. As a children’s advocate at DAIS, I strived to empower children affected by domestic violence by engaging them in non-violent activities, leading them in discussions about their actions, and confronting aggressive behavior. My involvement with DAIS developed the strong passion I have for working with victims of intimate partner violence. This passion has influenced what I want for my future as a social worker and how I want to positively impact my community.
In 2018, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with my Bachelor of Social Work degree and a certificate in Criminal Justice. Through my education, I was able to explore my passion further and I attended two End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) conferences. I also interned with the YWCA in their restorative justice department. My role was to engage students in our partner middle schools in restorative justice practice, often which involved repairing violence or unhealthy relationship navigating.
What has been most interesting about interning here thus far?
One of my main responsibilities with Sojourner Project is presenting on unhealthy and healthy relationships to youth in the community and leading them in interactive activities. Through this work, I have learned just how important prevention work is in the social work field. While reactive work is necessary and very valuable, our society as a whole has always focused on reactionary methods over preventative ones. Consequently, the number of victims experiencing violence has increased. Prevention work has the power to shape the way youth behave and ultimately change the trajectory of intimate partner violence to positively impact everyone.
How do you hope to use this experience moving forward in your career?
Through my experiences at Sojourner, I’ve learned a great deal about myself. I’m committed to pursuing a career in social work, specifically in the field of domestic violence so I can continue to empower those who are disempowered by their abusers. Aside from being very passionate about the victims and their families, working in the field of domestic violence will allow me the opportunity to reach some of my professional goals by seeking justice, working with children, striving towards equity, and advocating on behalf of vulnerable populations.
Interested in interning at Sojourner?
Learn more: https://bit.ly/34yYZEV
Fill out an online application: https://www.sojournerproject.org/online-intership-application