Reflection Paper On Gun Shootings

There have been numerous school shootings in the U.S. within the past 10 years. This has sadly become the new American reality; continuous school shootings throughout the country, taking innocent lives, leaving parents without their children, and robbing communities of their safety. There's an old African proverb that says “It takes a village to raise a child”, but what happens when that village has fallen apart, who picks up its broken pieces? My experience with gun violence led me to the profession of social work. In 2010, I lost my brother to gun violence. He was a bright young man, happy, and full of life. He was murdered in cold blood on a hot summer day while hanging out with his friends. That summer changed my life forever. When

I was there to support them during their therapy session and redirect any behaviors. Upon graduation I landed an employment opportunity and began working as a Teachers Aide at the Sawtelle Learning Center, it was a great experience. I assisted our students with their daily living, recreational and social skills. It gave me an appreciation for the work being done. My most recent work experience was as a Site Director at a before and after school program, I enjoyed taking on a supervisory role which really allowed me to challenge myself in a way hadn’t before. My work experience thus far has been quite fulfilling. Being able to help others and watch them succeed has always been the driving force behind everything that I do. It has also been one of the reasons I’ve wanted to pursue social work. I applied to the social work program because as a mental health professional I wanted the opportunity to provide a wider range of services to clients. My bachelor's degree has given me the foundational knowledge but I wanted to expand my skills so I could better serve clients across a variety of settings. In addition, as an alum of Montclair State University, I was excited to learn that my alma mater was now offering a Social Work Program. I am quite familiar with the rich academic history, the amazing professors and the many enriching experiences Montclair State

More specifically, I want to support and counsel families who are dealing with the issues of gun violence such as the loss of a loved one, lack of positive influences etc. My main priority is to ensure that children have the necessary resources to help them remain on the right track. I would also like to develop an after-school program where children can form impactful bonds with their peers, have positive role models and sharpen their academic skills. As a graduate student in the social work program, my learning objectives are to be to think critically and objectively to be able to address the issues within the fields of social work. In addition, to be able to understand and follow the ethics of social work. Lastly, interact productively with clients from different backgrounds with integrity and professionalism. All things considered, I didn’t fully understand the effect that losing my brother would have on my life. However, over time it has helped me to realize that my greater purpose is to be a social worker. As a future social work practitioner, I owe it to my community and the generations that will come after me to be an advocate for change. Everything that has happened in my life, from my personal to professional experiences, has led me to this greater responsibility. I am greatly looking forward to the meaningful impact that