For Social Work Month, we had the privilege of speaking with several dedicated LSSNCA social workers, some who work with Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) in our Children, Youth, and Family Services (CYF) department, and our CEO, Kristyn Peck.
Emil Cortorreal experienced the foster care system as a child. “Witnessing how someone unrelated to me could become a significant part of my life intrigued me,” she said. Since middle school, she aspired to be a “relatable figure for individuals like me, offering assistance during their transition.” As a social worker with the Department of Children and Family Services in Connecticut, she was seen as an authority figure and people were fearful of her. However, being a person of color with a down-to-earth demeanor, Emil strives “to create an environment where families feel comfortable opening up… to see how families open up and elevate to success really brings joy to my life,” she said. Emil believes that “as social workers, we need to be a little more mindful of our personal bias. Sometimes we do have personal bias and [need to] take that hat off whenever you are in a program participant’s home… we should all treat people in a humane way and leave our biases aside.”
Denise Angel was inspired by the “possibility of making a difference in the lives of those in need” when she saw someone from her church step up to care for a baby in foster care. She said, “the idea of individuals willingly offering love and support to a child in need deeply resonated with me.” She’s always been interested in working in foster care, youth, and adoption and when trying to plot out her path, mentors encouraged her to pursue social work – something she didn’t even know was an option. “Super happy” working with unaccompanied refugee minors in Maryland and D.C., she finds fulfillment in advocating for children and families – which helps balance the overwhelming nature of the job. “It seems like the system is set to fail families and I guess that is why we are here, to do what we can to give kids the best possible outcome in life.”
Diosmary Tavera came to the United States 10 years ago as a high schooler and experienced the challenges of adjusting to a new country. She knew that she wanted to help people in similar situations. “Coming here, I didn’t have that opportunity of support, I didn’t have anyone helping me adjust to my school and I know how hard it was.” For Diosmary, “the satisfaction derived from witnessing families thrive surpasses everything. Being present for the children, witnessing their educational journey, observing the family’s advancement, occasionally attending their graduations, and forging bonds with foster families all contribute to immense fulfillment in my decision to pursue social work. Additionally, working with diverse communities including Hispanic, Afghan, and African populations exposes me to a multitude of enriching experiences and learning opportunities.” She also makes sure to extend compassion to herself. She reminds herself each day, that her job, which is very stressful, is worth it, and is “mindful of making sure I am doing something to take care of myself because… if I can’t take care of myself, I can’t be fully there for program participants.”
For Denee Bottoms, despite earning a master’s degree in public administration, social work felt like her calling, which led her back to school so she could engage more directly with young people, a passion of hers. Of her work with unaccompanied refugee minors, she said “there are numerous parallels with other children I’ve worked with, particularly regarding their experiences of trauma and their early coping mechanisms. They navigate survival and adaptation at remarkably young ages. However, the disparities lie in the specifics of their experiences. The narratives of URM are often distinctive, as they entail escaping and traversing borders alone. Their methods of adapting and achieving success vary markedly.” These children operate from “a fundamental need to endure.” Denee notes that just as program participants “encounter trauma, we, too, are susceptible… as social workers, our dedication stems from a profound sense of care… yet, this very commitment makes it challenging to step back and attend to our own needs,” and reminds herself and others to take the time for self-care.
Everyone touched on their calling to serve as a social worker, their beliefs in the inherent strengths and dignity of those they serve, the tension between providing direct service and advocating to increase access to systems, and the importance of self-care. Each team member also stressed the importance of wanting to overcome misconceptions about their work. Rather than “agents of family separation,” their shared aim is to protect children and preserve as many connections with the family system as safe and possible. They all agree that these systems are complex, and it’s important to not lose sight of the needs of struggling parents and understand that there must also be room for error, growth, and grace.
Kristyn Peck, LSSNCA’s CEO, attributes her leadership style, emphasizing empathy and inclusivity, to her identity as a social worker. She made a career shift from journalism to social work following September 11, 2001, when as a reporter for a wire service she was sent to the Pentagon to report and realized her calling was to help others in times of crisis. Her master’s in social work program included a field placement, and she was initially set to intern at the Maryland Governor’s office for Children, Youth, and Families. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, “the university placed me at International Social Service, where I worked as a case manager reunifying families separated by migration,” marking the beginning of her career path in the refugee and immigration space. Her post-graduate career began at Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) as an advocate for unaccompanied children in federal custody.
Kristyn is a staunch believer in involving those directly affected by decisions in the decision-making process, both within the organization and in communities served. “Social workers are keenly aware that the individuals we serve aren’t the root of the problem – it’s most often lack of access, broken systems, flawed laws,” she says. Kristyn believes “social workers have a responsibility to lift the stories and voices of those we serve to advocate for more just and humane systems.”
If you’d like to pursue your passion of working with children through our foster care programs, we have several current openings. If you’d like to learn more about how to become a foster parent, please fill out this form.
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