“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘what are you doing for others?'” -Martin Luther King, Jr.-
Mission Statement: My mission is to engage, empower, and advocate for others. As a social worker, I strive to consistently recognize and value the dignity and worth of each person I serve through illustrating kindness and empathy while remaining aware of individual differences and cultural diversity.
My mission and hope for the future is that there is more love, compassion, and grace among us for one another and for ourselves.
BIO: My name is Elizabeth Riley. The pages of this portfolio will highlight the academic and professional accomplishments that I have reached, in addition to the hands-on experience I gained, as I worked toward completion of my Master’s in Social Work degree at Southern Adventist University.
As an advanced social work practitioner, I have a strong commitment to serving individuals, families, and communities through a trauma-informed, culturally competent approach that reflects the dignity and worth of each person. Throughout my practice experience, I’ve been continually reminded that while I will inevitably face ethical and systemic challenges, and encounter numerous setbacks, there is power in showing up for my clients. There is power in human connection. There is power in walking beside those I serve as they combat significant hardship and take incremental steps to improve their lives.
From my education and practice experience thus far, I have learned that while assisting clients in translating the struggles, loss, and injustices they face into empowerment requires great dedication, this is what it means to be a social worker. When governments and systems fail, it is my responsibility to show up for those affected by this most acutely, to walk alongside them, to engage them as experts of their own experience, and to advocate on their behalf. As I transition from student to social work professional, I strive to reflect these values as I continue to serve individuals, families, and the greater community.