Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice.
Fighting for justice in social work means addressing the systems and structures that create unequal access to opportunities. These barriers often affect people based on race, disability, language, or income. In my role at Signal Centers, I’ve seen how these challenges can show up in the volunteer and internship experience. I focus on creating inclusive practices that make it easier for people from diverse backgrounds to get involved and feel supported.
To push for meaningful change, I plan to keep working with others at Signal Centers and in the community to improve how we reach and support diverse groups. This includes updating materials, sharing opportunities in new spaces, and listening to feedback from those who are often left out. Advocacy, for me, is about being aware, taking action when I can, and working with others to make sure no one is left behind.
3.1 Analyze practice settings through an Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lens.
( List of Bilingual Volunteers at event and photos)
Ensuring our volunteer program is inclusive means examining past events to identify gaps in diversity and accessibility. When discussing previous Family Forward Holiday Parties with the Director of Family Forward, we noticed that there were very few bilingual volunteers available to assist Spanish-speaking families. As a result, many families may not have felt fully included or able to communicate effectively with staff and volunteers, making it harder for them to fully engage in the event.
Recognizing this issue, I spoke on the phone with the previous Volunteer Coordinator about strategies used in previous years and found that no intentional efforts had been made to seek out bilingual volunteers. This lack of targeted outreach created a language barrier between volunteers and many of the families we serve, which could have led to confusion or made some families feel less welcomed. Identifying this gap made it clear that we needed a more intentional approach to recruiting Spanish-speaking volunteers.
This experience reflects several core social work values identified by the NASW, including social justice, by working to eliminate barriers to inclusion; the importance of human relationships, by fostering meaningful interactions between volunteers and families; dignity and worth of the person, by ensuring all families feel respected and valued; and competence, through critical reflection and improvement of our volunteer practices. The skill I demonstrated was program evaluation, as I examined past volunteer engagement and identified an area for growth
3.2 Demonstrate leadership in implementing Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion -informed strategies with diverse populations.
On September 18th, 2024, I volunteered at a Family Forward car seat safety event where families received car seat inspections, assistance with installations, and free car or booster seats. My role was to check families in as they arrived and direct them to the appropriate stations. This helped the event run efficiently and ensured that families, particularly those unfamiliar with the process, felt comfortable and knew what to expect.
During the event, I observed that some Spanish-speaking families had difficulty understanding instructions due to the limited number of bilingual volunteers. Although staff were helpful, this highlighted a gap in accessibility and inclusion. After the event, I shared this observation with my supervisor and recommended simple improvements such as recruiting bilingual volunteers in advance, providing translated signage, and offering a basic cultural sensitivity overview to event volunteers. These steps would help ensure that future events are more inclusive and welcoming for all families.
This experience reflects the social work values of social justice, competence, and the importance of human relationships. The skills demonstrated include event coordination, observation, and advocacy. The cognitive process involved evaluating what was missing in real time and suggesting improvements. The affective process reflects my commitment to creating environments where all families feel respected, informed, and supported.