LeLe as A Macro Social Worker

LeLe as Ms. Nolan speaking to a group of students at the community college she was employed at.

Happy Wednesday, Faither,

If you haven't read last week's blog, please go back and read that!

Now, picking up where I left off last week, I learned my calling from all the free work I did. What do I mean by that? Well, in my Social Work programs, I had to have practicums. Most people think of practicum as internships, more like unpaid internships; however, a student works closely with a supervisor and observes everything the supervisor is doing in a practicum. Practicum students have the freedom to create programming, but everything goes through the supervisor. Some will say interns have more freedom and act more as interns in an internship. Either way, I never got paid for the work that I did. I loved what I did, but it was for the free. Meaning while I was in school full-time and working my practicum, I still had a full-time job and part-time job. How did I survive that time in my life? I don't even have that answer to that question!

Anyways, the work I was doing was fulfilling and fun. In my first practicum, I was in charge of a program at multiple local Boys & Girls Club sites. I had groups of students (Mezzo Social Work). I had a program where I collected data and created programming for the students; I managed and evaluated the collected data. After I graduated, I became a site supervisor for one of the locations. I built rapport with the students, their families, and my team! I fell in love with what I was doing. Then I went on to my MSW (Master of Social Work).

I got a practicum at an elementary school with one of the best community social workers known in the city. She was known for having considerable outcomes in the community with her programming. Now, let me be honest. I did not want to work with kids. I have always wanted to work with teens and up. But I feel that this clarified I needed to know that working with younger people is not my thing. I am good at it, but I am not passionate about it. However, during the MSW practicum, I developed a community basketball program where anyone could attend. I also collected data from the school to research the resources the families and community needed; I created a career and resource fair and even sponsored a professional day for the parents and assisted them with utility payments and getting jobs. I loved every second of it. Especially the basketball program. I even partnered with another practicum student and helped her with a self-esteem group for the school! Again, I was learning my passion and thoroughly enjoyed it! Even while working with kids, which again was not my passion.

When I was in graduate school and this practicum, I worked as a college and career specialist for a community college program that helped high schoolers find their way to college. I loved this job too, but it wasn't technically social work. It was more so higher ed. Which, in theory, go hand in hand. But I didn't feel fulfilled. I loved my students, but I did not like my position. I was broke, and I knew I could be doing more. I knew my calling, passion, and purpose were so much more than coming and trying to recruit students to go to a Saturday program. I saw my students yearning for more, just like I was. Since that was the lemon I was given, I made it fun and everlasting when I met with my students. To this day, I get students and families that call me and let me know my impact on them. I genuinely cared about my students and program. Even though I was in higher education, I used my social work background. I used my expertise to build a partnership with the high schools and created groups and sponsored activities for the students. I still made a way to use my social work expertise.

My vision was always on a larger scale (macro social work.) I always referred back to my childhood vision of owning a community center and building up my surrounding communities. I saw the light in this world that didn't make sense. I almost felt like an alien because of my vision and the things I saw in this world!

Currently, I own a building, and I am building out a community office where people can come and host programming or rent out space for personal or group activities. I host grief support groups and book clubs. One of my favorite programs is the Intention Sessions, where I work with people in the community to focus on their intention and encourage them to stop giving up on themselves. I have many community programming and partnerships going on, and I am growing and learning, and falling in love with what I am doing! I am glad that I went back to my childhood vision, and I am delighted that I am a Macro Social Work. I thoroughly enjoy what I do!

As always! Have a great day, Faithers! Always remember to love you the way you love the world!

-Lele

Your local Self-Love Advocate

LeLe as Ms. Nolan speaking at a local high school during their peace week.