My experience as a CNA has significantly shaped who I am today and has had a profound influence on my personal goals and career trajectory. It has deepened my understanding of life, death, and care, and it has inspired me to pursue a path that will allow me to make a lasting, positive impact on others, particularly in the areas of mental health and social work. It allowed me to show more respect to elders in general. When I first earned my CNA certification in 2019, I took a job over the summer, working with the same client. That experience introduced me to the reality of caregiving and the emotional demands that come with it. After that summer, I took a break to pursue other endeavors, but the calling to caregiving lingered in the back of my mind. In 2021, I decided to get recertified and returned to the CNA field. I went back to school to refresh my skills and deepen my knowledge, knowing that caregiving was not just a job but something that aligned with my values and aspirations. After earning my recertification, I spent two more years working as a CNA, this time primarily in-home healthcare settings. These experiences gave me the opportunity to build close relationships with my patients, understand their unique needs, and provide care in a more personal and intimate environment. On a personal level, caregiving has profoundly shaped my identity. It has made me more empathetic, patient, and resilient. I have learned the importance of being present for others during their most vulnerable moments and how to navigate difficult conversations with grace and understanding. These qualities have not only impacted my professional path but have also influenced how I engage with others in my personal life. I approach relationships with more compassion and seek to be a source of support for those around me. This experience has greatly influenced my personal goals. It reaffirmed my desire to work in fields that prioritize care and support for vulnerable populations. It also informed my ambition to eventually start my own non-profit organization and enter the clinical side of social work. I am now in a graduate program for social work at the University of Kansas, which is the next step in my journey. My experiences as a CNA helped me realize that I want to work with children and families, specifically to bridge gaps in mental health services and provide therapy and counseling through my own practice. The resilience, empathy, and dedication I cultivated as a CNA have laid a solid foundation for my future in social work. One of the most impactful aspects of my work as a CNA was caring for patients on hospice care. These patients were at the end of their lives, and my role went beyond basic medical assistance—I was there to provide comfort, companionship, and dignity in their final days. Being present during such vulnerable moments taught me invaluable lessons about life and mortality. I gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of compassion and the fragility of life. Witnessing both the pain and grace of those facing the end of their lives forced me to confront my own beliefs about death and what it means to live a meaningful life.

My desired career path is rooted in my passion for helping children and families, particularly those facing mental health challenges and financial barriers to essential services. My goal is to use my education and experiences to establish a non-profit organization that primarily serves children by focusing on mental health, bridging the gap for those who cannot afford extracurricular activities. I aspire to enter the clinical side of social work, providing therapy and counseling services to children and families through a private practice. Currently, I am pursuing a graduate degree in social work at the University of Kansas, which is a crucial step in achieving my goal of becoming a clinically licensed social worker. This education provides me with the theoretical knowledge and skills necessary to practice social work at the clinical level. Courses in mental health, trauma-informed care, and therapeutic interventions have expanded my understanding of the complexities involved in children’s mental health and family dynamics. My graduate program is preparing me to take on a range of clinical responsibilities, from conducting assessments and providing therapy to managing cases and collaborating with other professionals in the mental health field. In terms of experience, I have worked extensively with children through various roles that have deepened my understanding of their needs. At the Boys and Girls Club, I gained insight into the challenges children face in underprivileged communities. I was able to mentor, guide, and support them, helping to foster their personal development. My time working with SOAR, a program for children with special needs, further strengthened my ability to work with diverse populations. It helped me develop patience, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of children with complex needs. My work with children and families experiencing homelessness allowed me to see firsthand the impact of instability on mental health, which reinforced my desire to provide accessible services to vulnerable populations. Outside of my work with children, I’ve also done significant community work with women experiencing homelessness and those in domestic violence situations. This work honed my skills in leadership, group facilitation, and case management. I was able to provide support and resources to women in crisis, helping them navigate their situations and connect with services that could help them rebuild their lives. These experiences solidified my belief that community-based services are essential in promoting mental health and well-being, especially for marginalized populations. The skills I have developed—such as community work, group facilitation, leadership, and case management—align closely with my career aspirations. Leadership is crucial for managing a non-profit, especially in ensuring that the organization runs efficiently while staying true to its mission. My experience facilitating groups will help me design and lead programs within the non-profit, such as counseling sessions, therapy groups, and workshops. Also, case management skills will be essential in coordinating services for children and families, ensuring they receive the support they need. Looking ahead, I envision my non-profit making a significant positive impact on children’s mental health by providing accessible services and programs. The non-profit will bridge the gap for children and adolescents who cannot afford extracurricular activities, which are vital to their emotional and social development. I am committed to using my skills, experience, and education to build an organization that provides meaningful and transformative services to those who need it. In conclusion, my career path combines my passion for helping children with my skills in social work, community leadership, and therapy. By pursuing clinical licensure and gaining experience in the field, I am laying the foundation for a future where I can positively impact the lives of children and families, ultimately creating a stronger, healthier community.

Growing up as the child of a parent in the military was a journey full of unique experiences, challenges, and profound life lessons. From constantly relocating to new schools and communities, to grappling with the emotional toll of a parent's deployment, it was a lifestyle that required resilience and adaptability at a young age. Yet, amidst the hardships, it also brought the reward of seeing the world through a different lens, shaped by the values of perseverance, service, and sacrifice. One of the defining aspects of being a military child is the emotional challenges faced. The emotional toll of being deployed wasn't the only challenge. Many military families find themselves dealing with the aftereffects of their loved one’s service, particularly if that service led to the development of mental health issues such as PTSD. Navigating this reality was especially tough. After returning home, a parent who once felt like a pillar of strength might now seem distant, irritable, or emotionally withdrawn. These patterns can persist even after years of being home from war. The trauma they experienced overseas often seep into family life, creating tension and altering the family dynamic. As a child, it was confusing to witness this shift. You wanted to support them, but their struggles sometimes made them seem like a stranger. In some cases, the stress from PTSD could lead to more serious problems, such as substance misuse. While not every military family deals with these issues, it’s more common than one might expect. Watching a parent wrestle with these challenges was painful. You could feel the weight of their struggle pulling the family apart, yet there was little you could do as a child to fix it. It was a test of patience and compassion for everyone involved. Despite these hardships, growing up in a military family provided a unique and rewarding perspective on life. My parent’s commitment to service instilled in me the values of honor, duty, and sacrifice. I became acutely aware of the costs of freedom and security, which is something many civilians take for granted. Additionally, exposure to different cultures, environments, and people around the world broadened my worldview, making me more empathetic and open-minded. Ultimately, being a military child was a profound experience—one that challenged me, shaped me, and gave me a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by service members and their families. The hardships made me stronger, and the lessons I learned continue to influence how I navigate life’s challenges today. Though the path wasn’t always easy, the rewards of resilience, adaptability, and a broader worldview made it all worth it.

Throughout my life, I have always had a strong desire to help others, and initially, I believed nursing would allow me to fulfill this passion. I envisioned myself offering comfort and care to patients in need, helping them heal physically and emotionally. However, during my early exploration of nursing, I quickly realized that while the profession is incredibly meaningful, it did not provide the level of personal connection and long-term impact that I was seeking. The work I wanted to do felt deeper, more personal, and relational. I knew that I wanted to go beyond addressing immediate physical needs; I wanted to help heal emotional wounds, empower individuals to overcome obstacles, and build strong relationships that foster long-term growth. It was then that I found my true calling:social work. Social work allowed me a unique opportunity to make a profound impact by addressing the complex social, emotional, and psychological challenges that individuals face, especially children. This realization opened my eyes to how much I wished I had sought help for my own mental health as a child. I recognize now that many children today are going through similar struggles, feeling lost or unsure of how to express their emotions. They need someone who not only listens to them but also guides them through their feelings, helping them understand themselves and their world better. I want to be that person—a constant support and resource for children who may feel unheard or misunderstood. The impact I hope to make in the field of social work is great. I believe that I can not only work in clinical setting but I also can see myself creating a non-profit that serves the needs of disadvantaged children. I want to work in children's mental health and I believe that mental and emotional well-being of children is critical. By providing mental health services to children, I hope to create a space where they feel safe, valued, and supported. I want to help them develop healthy coping mechanisms, resilience, and a strong sense of self-worth—things that will benefit them well into adulthood. I also hope to address the stigma surrounding mental health issues, particularly in youth. Receiving this scholarship would be a tremendous help for me at this stage of my education. As someone who has not received any grants or scholarships this year, I am currently facing financial hardship. This scholarship would significantly ease my burden and allow me to focus more fully on my studies, without the constant worry of how I will afford tuition and other expenses. The financial support would enable me to continue pursuing my education in social work, bringing me closer to my goal of earning my master's in social work. In the long run, I hope to impact not only individual children but also broader systems and communities. I want to advocate for better mental health resources in schools, work to reduce barriers to care, and ensure that children from all backgrounds have access to the services they need. My goal is to provide children with the best possible opportunities to thrive—emotionally, mentally, and socially. With this scholarship, I will be one step closer to achieving my dream of becoming a social worker who truly makes a difference. I am deeply committed to providing high-quality services to children in need and fostering positive change in the world around me. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

Embarking on a journey that intertwines personal passion with professional aspiration, I, Jacquelyn McKay, am currently nurturing my dream into reality as a graduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a master's degree in Social Work. This path is not just a career choice; it's a calling. My ultimate goal is to open a therapy business and launch a non-profit organization aimed at empowering the youth in my community. Outside the realm of social work, my soul finds expression in singing and writing music—activities that are not merely hobbies but therapy for me. This eclectic blend of interests and aspirations defines who I am and underscores my mission to make a positive impact on the world. The foundation of my desire to venture into social work and eventually own a therapy business lies in the profound belief that healing is multifaceted. Throughout my academic and personal experiences, I have come to understand that effective therapy transcends conventional methods, incorporating an individual's entire ecosystem into the healing process. My passion for music and the arts is a testament to the therapeutic potential that creative expression holds. It is my intention to integrate these modalities into my practice, offering an innovative approach to therapy that harnesses the power of artistic expression to facilitate healing and personal growth. Simultaneously, the dream of starting a non-profit organization for youth is driven by my recognition of the urgent need for supportive spaces that empower young individuals. This venture aims to offer a sanctuary where the youth can find guidance, support, and the resources necessary to overcome personal and societal challenges. By focusing on the development of emotional intelligence, resilience, and creative expression, the organization will equip them with the tools needed to navigate life's complexities, fostering a generation that is not only well-adjusted but also empathetic and socially conscious. Traveling, meeting new people, and reading extensively have significantly broadened my horizons, enriching my understanding of diverse cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives. These experiences have imbued me with a deep sense of empathy and a global outlook on social issues, informing my approach to social work and my broader aspirations. They remind me daily of the interconnectedness of our world and the shared humanity that binds us, reinforcing my commitment to making a positive impact through my career. As I forge ahead, my journey is guided by a simple yet powerful philosophy: to live a life of service. In a world rife with challenges, from mental health crises to social injustice, the need for compassionate, innovative, and effective interventions has never been greater. By leveraging my education, passion, and experiences, I am determined to contribute to the solution, one individual, one community at a time. In the end, I aspire not only to leave a mark on the field of social work but to inspire others to believe in the possibility of a better world, achieved through compassion, innovation, and collective effort.

Addressing the global housing crisis, particularly the scarcity of affordable housing for marginalized communities, represents a pivotal aspect of my commitment to social change. My involvement with the True Light Family Resource Center in Kansas City as a student intern has offered me a frontline perspective on the complexities and challenges faced by individuals and families who find themselves homeless, marginalized, or living below the poverty level. This hands-on experience has not only deepened my understanding of the housing crisis but has also fueled my passion for contributing to sustainable solutions. At the Resource Center, my role involves assisting with re-housing efforts and facilitating connections to community resources, which are critical steps in addressing the immediate needs of those affected by housing insecurity. By working directly with individuals and families in need, I've gained invaluable insights into the systemic barriers that perpetuate poverty and homelessness. Moreover, facilitating groups for women at the shelter has allowed me to witness the transformative power of community and support in navigating the path from homelessness to stability.To further inform my understanding and approach to addressing the housing crisis, I am currently reading two books that delve into the nuances of poverty and its intersection with other social issues. These readings are instrumental in broadening my perspective on the multifaceted nature of homelessness and the importance of addressing its root causes, including economic disparities, systemic inequality, and the lack of affordable housing. They emphasize the need for comprehensive solutions that not only provide immediate relief but also tackle the underlying factors contributing to the crisis. Understanding how the issue of affordable housing intersects with other social challenges, such as access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, is crucial. It highlights the importance of a holistic approach to social policy and intervention strategies that go beyond merely increasing the availability of affordable housing. Instead, it points to the necessity of creating supportive ecosystems that empower marginalized communities to break the cycle of poverty and achieve long-term stability. My work at the True Light Family Resource Center and my ongoing educational pursuits have solidified my commitment to advocating for and working towards systemic changes that address the global housing issue. By combining practical experience with a deeper theoretical understanding of the complexities surrounding poverty and homelessness, I am dedicated to contributing to meaningful solutions that ensure everyone has access to safe, affordable housing. This commitment is not just about addressing an urgent social issue; it's about affirming the dignity and rights of all individuals to secure and stable housing as a foundation for a prosperous life.

My journey has been one of resilience, discovery, and a deep-rooted desire to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. I am passionate about social work and music, two fields that resonate deeply with my personal experiences and professional aspirations. These passions are not just hobbies or career paths for me; they are lifelines that have helped me navigate through some of the most challenging times of my life, including my struggles with completing my education. The path to achieving my educational goals has been anything but linear. Financial hardships and mental health challenges necessitated taking a year off from school, a decision that was both difficult and transformative. This period of pause in my academic pursuits was not merely a hiatus; it was a time of profound personal growth and realignment with my goals and dreams. It was during this time that the vision for my future began to crystallize—to own a therapy business and start my own non-profit organization. This dream stems from a deep-seated belief in the power of healing and empowerment. My struggles have imbued me with an empathetic understanding of the complexities of mental health and the barriers that financial constraints can place on accessing education and support. These experiences have not only fueled my passion for social work but have also highlighted the importance of creating supportive, accessible spaces for healing and growth. The adversity I faced has been a catalyst for refocusing on my goals and dreams. It taught me resilience, the importance of mental health awareness, and the value of community support. These lessons have been instrumental in shaping my aspirations to work with youth in the community. I believe in the transformative power of education and the arts, and I am committed to integrating my passion for music into my social work practice to educate and empower future generations. My vision is to create a non-profit organization that bridges the gap between mental health support and artistic expression, offering young people a platform to heal, express themselves, and develop their potential. By combining therapy with music, I aim to provide a holistic approach to mental health and personal development, recognizing the unique ways in which art can facilitate emotional and psychological healing. In conclusion, my past adversities have been instrumental in shaping my future ambitions. They have driven me to pursue a career that not only addresses the critical need for accessible mental health services but also leverages the power of music to inspire and educate. My goal is not just to build a successful therapy business but to create a community where young people feel supported, understood, and empowered to chase their dreams, just as I have been motivated to pursue mine.

Throughout my academic journey, I have faced a series of challenges that have not only tested my resilience but have also shaped me into the individual I am today. From financial hardships to battling mental health issues, my path has been fraught with obstacles. Yet, these experiences have instilled in me a determination to succeed against all odds, a passion for mental health advocacy, and a deep-seated desire to help others through their own struggles. My financial struggles began with my pursuit of higher education. Despite my academic achievements and extracurricular involvement in high school, I found myself in a university environment where scholarship opportunities were scarce, especially for students in my field of study. The financial burden of tuition, coupled with the costs of books and living expenses, quickly accumulated, leading me to amass a significant amount of college debt in the initial years of my undergraduate program. The financial strain took a toll on my mental health, exacerbating underlying issues of depression and anxiety. It reached a point where I had to make the difficult decision to take a year off from my studies. It was a period marked by introspection and a reevaluation of my goals and strategies to overcome these hurdles. During my time away from academia, I was able to garner more passion for my educational pursuits and use that as a driving force to get back in school. I returned to college with a renewed sense of purpose and a strategic approach to manage my finances and mental health better. The scholarship for which I am applying is not just a financial aid for me; it represents a beacon of hope and a pivotal support in my journey toward educational and personal achievement. This reduction in financial pressure is crucial for my mental well-being and would enable me to focus more intently on my studies and extracurricular engagements. Additionally, this scholarship would support my personal goal of gaining independence. The financial relief provided by this scholarship would be a significant step toward achieving this independence, allowing me to focus on my professional and personal growth without the looming worry of financial instability. Moreover, my career aspiration is to own a therapy practice that not only serves the community but also offers a platform for advocating mental health awareness. I aim to establish a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth in their struggles.The scholarship would be instrumental in achieving these goals by providing me with the educational foundation required to excel in my field and make meaningful contributions to society. In conclusion, the struggles I have faced, both financial and mental, have been daunting yet transformative. They have taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of pursuing one's passions despite the hurdles. This scholarship would be a stepping stone toward achieving my educational and professional goals, reducing my debt burden, and enabling me to focus on my ambitions of contributing positively in the world.

There are a plethora of social justice issues that deserve the time, attention and care to change and reform. The main issues that touch my heart the most are addressing housing rights, racial justice and criminal justice reform. This is nowhere near the number of social issues that continue to affect our cultures, communities and individuals worldwide. They are all interconnected with each other. However, I will focus on the three mentioned above. Starting with addressing homelessness, the lack of affordable housing and housing policies that perpetuate discrimination and inequity. It is a fundamental right to have safe, affordable and stable living for an individual's health, dignity and opportunity. It intersects with other social issues like economic inequity, racial justice, healthcare access and environmental justice. Stable housing contributes to better health outcomes, educational opportunities, access to community and support networks. It is a basic need that I believe everyone deserves to have. There is a critical shortage of affordable housing in the U.S. rising rent and housing prices have outpaced income growth for many Americans, particularly in urban areas. The lack of affordable housing leaves low-income individuals and families at risk of homelessness. Through addressing the needs of communities, safe affordable housing should be available to all socio-economic classes, and it would address the historical discriminatory practices, particularly communities of color, that affect our future generations. It is important to raise awareness of this issue because this housing issue is an everybody issue. It will eventually impact your community. It will eventually impact your children, your families and your safety. This is not only a moral imperative but a practical one, as the benefits of housing stability ripple out to create healthier, more equitable, and resilient communities. Systemic racism and dismantling white supremacy are other issues that deserves to be addressed as well. Dismantling white supremacy from every system in America is critical to creating equitable, inclusive societies where every individual can thrive regardless of their race or ethnicity. Racial injustice and white supremacy violate these principles by denying people of color equal rights and opportunities, often based on historical prejudices and systemic discrimination. Everyone has a responsibility to dismantle white supremacy and creating an anti-racist society. Getting involved in the fight for racial justice and the dismantling of white supremacy can take many forms, including educating oneself about racism and its impacts, supporting racial justice organizations, participating in peaceful protests, advocating for policy changes, and engaging in community dialogue and reconciliation efforts. There is a moral and ethical imperative to confront injustices and strive for a more just and equitable world where diverse societies can embrace multiple cultures, languages, and histories enriching everyone’s lives. Finally, criminal justice reform is a deeply significant issue, resonating on both a personal and societal level. It's important for a myriad of reasons, impacting everything from individual lives to the broader health of communities and the ethical standing of society as a whole. The current system disproportionately affects marginalized communities, particularly people of color, making the pursuit of justice a moral imperative. The justice system has far-reaching implications for human rights, including the right to a fair trial, protection against cruel and unusual punishment, and the right to rehabilitation rather than mere punishment. Advocating for these principles supports basic human dignity. A more rehabilitative and less punitive system can lead to lower recidivism rates, meaning fewer crimes, and safer communities. Reform can also improve relations between law enforcement and the communities they serve, fostering trust and cooperation. Engaging with these issues can be a profound educational experience and is another issue that needs changing.

As a student in the BSW program, I have learned and discovered so many things including my passion to connect and advocate for people from all walks of life. I love engaging and building relationships that aim to promote social, economic and environmental justice for individuals, families and communities. I want to transform the lives of the communities I serve in so that younger generations can experience a world that takes care of each other at every socio-economic level. Furthermore, in my own personal experience I have witnessed how physical and mental health struggles can impact a person’s way of life. It is essential as a social worker to enhance the well-being and needs of all people amid all these challenges. I believe that social work is the bridge to address the need to empower, serve and bring awareness to the challenges individuals, families, organizations and communities face for the world's betterment. Social work has helped me grow and develop such love that is greater than myself and create a higher sense of purpose, strength and tenacity to work to dismantle systems of oppression. I have experienced many struggles in my own life as well. These struggles were so great that I had to take a year off mid semester of Fall 2022. This break not only advanced my desire to make a difference in the field but also addressed the importance of professional care. Every individual, family and community deserve social workers that live up to the standards and follow the missions they preach. As a minority who has experienced the hardships of completing school, I gathered my own dignity and self-worth as a person, and I hope to continue to gain further knowledge in the field. I want to share this knowledge and support other people’s challenges in life. In order to get anywhere in life, you have to be willing to make hard decisions. You may even have to sacrifice taking time off to accomplish your goals. It doesn't mean you are weak. It means that you are much more stronger than before to tackle all the goals you've set for yourself. In my time away from school, I learned that it is better to take care of your mental health than potentially harm someone else's. I want to get as much education as I can at my young age to pass it down to generation and generation. I have seen the impact social workers have and I want to be the best social worker I can be with as much knowledge as possible. But, that does not mean it won't take time to get it right.

My mother is the true definition of inspiring. My mother inspires me every single day but the day I realized she was one of my biggest role models was the day she graduated college. My mother graduated with a Bachelor's of Psychology at Avila University in May of 2022. This was a goal of hers for over 15 years. This is important to know because it intersected with the worst semester of my life in college, junior year. In my junior year of college, I was a Resident assistant for one of the dorms on campus. It allowed me to connect with a lot of students but it also brought me to one of my lowest places. I struggled with staying engaged in class, staying on top of assignments and remaining present. I felt alone even with having a lot of interactions with peers and supervisors. I felt very out of place and alone. My thoughts weren't my thoughts. I felt like everything was working against me. It caused me to drink, party and do things that I normally wouldn't do all because I felt like there was no place in the world for me. I was depressed. It wasn't until April of 2022 when I knew I couldn't stay on campus any longer. My mother came to visit my dorm and immediately she knew something was wrong. My room hadn't been cleaned in weeks, my items were sprawled everywhere. It was a mess. I finally confessed to her everything that had been going on and she asked if I wanted to move home. And I did. However, I knew moving home wouldn't immediately fix my issues and I made the decision to take a year off from school. My father was against it but my mother knew it was something I needed. From the beginning of my college education, my mother has been my backbone in continuing my education. She has supported me in every decision I've made. She has never judged me for any of them. She has gone above and beyond to make every single one of my visions come true. Without her tenacity in finishing school, I would have never reapplied to my university. She celebrated my birthday the summer I came home when I didn't even want to celebrate my birthday. She brought family over to support me in the time of my depression. She is a beautiful soul I was so very blessed to have in this life. I hope every child gets to experience a Mother's love. She has not only inspired me but also continues to inspire me everyday. My mother is still in school to get her Master's degree and next year we will both graduate with our Master's of Social Work. I cannot thank her enough for uplifting me in times of pain, heartbreak and struggle. All in all, keep the people in your life that bring you up when you are down and never leave your side when things aren't going as planned. I am grateful to say my mother is that person for me.

My music makes the world a better place because it touches the hearts of those who relate to my story, education, and upbringing. The first song that I ever wrote was a song about gun violence and the effects it has on children and families. It was called "Shining in the Dark," which was a message to the world that no matter how dark the world can get, we are the reason it is still going. It was written in a way so that the listener could feel like they had the power to do something about it. Gun violence is so normalized now in the media that sometimes people need to be reminded that it is not okay. They also need to be reminded of who it is affecting which is all of us. This song was the first song I ever released on any platform and it was released in honor of my cousin being murdered by gun violence at the age of 19. No matter what horrible things happen to someone you are close to always be a force to make sure it does not happen to someone else. Releasing my first song was the starting point of impacting even more people through this creative passion of mine. Music has been a creative passion of mine since the age of 8. I think that when you can convey a story in a such way that it touches the hearts of those around you, you've done way more. You've not only been able to connect with people that you don't know but to a certain extent they can understand you better as an artist. I'm not only sharing the way I see the world, but I'm also sharing a piece of me. Another creative passion of mine is social work. I am grateful to express the way I've been able to intertwine both of these passions. I am currently in school to get my Bachelor's and Master's in the Social Welfare field. In the journey of becoming a social worker, I've been able to make the world a better place by advocating for the communities that are underfunded and overlooked. Furthermore, becoming an activist to get rid of certain policies that no longer serve the community to create new policies that support radical social change. I've worked with the homeless population in Kansas City by using wrap-around services to stabilize children and families. Along with that, continuing to educate myself and others on understanding poverty. I think if I had an extra 24 hours in the day, I would be able to accomplish many things. I would be able to read more books on homelessness, poverty, and other socio-economic issues in America. I would be able to come up with a non-profit project to get my non-profit started in the next year. I would be able to save money to move out of my parent's home because I'd be able to work more. Then, I would also be able to create and write more music that can impact the lives of many. There is a lot I would do. However, I've learned it is not more time we need but more integrity, heart, and desire to act on the things we need to do. I feel the most creative when my mind is free. I feel the most creative when I see a better version of myself come out of the work that I do. I feel the most creative when I'm inspired by others to change. I feel the most creative when nothing stands in my way.