Personal Statement Statement 1: Why am I striving for a BSW? During my teens, as a young Hispanic male, I found myself accepting the negative stereotypes of Hispanics, and began associating with other Hispanic youth who had also accepted the negative stereotypes. We were involved in gangs, drugs, and criminal activity. As time went on several of these individuals, including one of my closest childhood friends had passed away due to gang violence, and many more wound up incarcerated. I too had found myself incarcerated in a juvenile detention center. During this painful time in my life, while sitting in a center block cell with a steel door, I knew that I would try and help youth find alternative routes in life and avoid falling into the same …show more content…
I have had to consider many factors. I have considered not pursuing my passion for advocacy and supporting my community, and my talent of working with people. Going to school while working to support a family is a difficult thing to do, financially and emotionally. However, there is no option, this is what I am going to do, this is something I have to do. I have considered how my children and those within my community would benefit from my actions in seeking to further my education to become a positive Hispanic figure within society. I have also considered how my family as a whole would benefit from my deciding to continue my education, but more importantly, I have considered what needs to be done to balance my education, while being a father and husband. In addition, I have considered the difficult nature of working full time, being a husband, a father, and a student, but I feel that continuing my education and being a positive example not only my family, but to the children I work with is worth the time and energy. I know that I will be able to influence at-risk youth through my example and hard …show more content…
Growing up in Salt Lake City as an ‘outsider’ enabled me to connect with people of all backgrounds, faiths, ethnicities and sexual orientation. As a child my mother and Honduran father who met during her stint in the Peace Corps instilled respect for all cultures in me. I sincerely appreciate being able to share culture and gaining a true understanding of others and their unique situations. Being able to work with individuals from various populations and support them in a manner that takes the individual into account is part of my core beliefs and values. In additional to cultural sensitivity my other strengths include; maintaining my personal emotions and opinions, understanding second hand trauma and dealing with it in a productive manner, and caring for myself to ensure that I can benefit those I work with. These combined strengths support my weaknesses and will help me through new experience, learning, and the challenges that come with