Amy Blue, Little Brothers, Chicago

Carrie Cravalho, Oaklawn Hospital, Goshen

My field placement is at Oaklawn Psychiatric Hospital. I work primarily with the children and adolescents. I'm learning a lot about mental health and addictions. It is a real fulfilling and interesting field placement. I spend a lot of time with the children. Already I've learned more than I ever thought I would. If you like psychology, mental health, and addictions, this is the place to be.

Bridget Gottlieb, Healthy Family Center, Mishawaka

Erin Heidkamp, Elm Road Elementary, Mishawaka

Currently at my field placement I am learning about the importance of networking. The school is made up of many resources inside and out, all which contribute incredible assets to create the successful atmosphere at Elm Road. I hope to learn more about individual children, cases that each department has to deal with on a daily basis, and how to implement positive and beneficial programs within an elementary school setting. Overall, this field placement has been a great learning experience and I hope to gain more insight as the year goes on about how I can be a valuable advantage in a school setting later on in my life.

Laney Lee, Hannah's House, Mishawaka

My field placement, Hannah's House, has given me a great opportunity to experience diversity first hand, as well as develop my skills through case management, helping with the Tuesday night support group, and doing some volunteer coordinating. Hannah's House is a home for unwed mothers and their newborn and unborn babies. This residential atmosphere gives the young women a chance to grow and learn life long skills. I am striving to grow out of merely just being empathetic, and instead developing more problem solving tools for the residents with which I work. It is a great opportunity to observe group dynamics as well as human behvior in the social environment.

Natalie Litow, Madison Center, South Bend

Melissa Montoya, Saint Joseph Health Center, South Bend

My field placement is at Saint Joseph Health Center, known locally as Chapin Street Clinic. This clinic provides services to the uninsured and working poor. I will be working at the clinic a half day each week first semester and second semester I will be in the field four full days every week. Right now I am working primarily with Spanish-speaking clients, so this has been a great opportunity for me to practice my Spanish and work with diverse populations. In order to find resources and services for my clients, I have been able to work with various local agencies and organizations, and learn the importance of networking. So far, this has been a great experience and I am excited to learn a lot more through my placement this year.

Esther O'Connell, Child Protective Services, South Bend

Sarah Paladino, Field Placement - Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend

My Social Work field placement is at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Hospital, Family Practice Center. I am currently working with high-risk pregnant women. This has allowed me to see the medical aspect of social work and has given me the opportunity to work with a diverse group of women. My field practicum has been a great learning experience and I look forward to learning more about medical social work.

Emily Pernotto, REAL Services, Inc., South Bend

Michelle Powell, Saint Joseph Health Center, South Bend

My Social Work field placement is at the Saint Joseph Health Clinic at Chapin Street. This clinic provides services to the uninsured living 150% below poverty level. So far I am working exclusively with the Hispanic population (I'm a Spanish minor) and I love the work that I am doing. I have been doing many home visits and I am facilitating a year-long Latino family group that is designed to encourage education among youth. Our goals are to keep the group members enrolled in high school and introduce them to various options of careers they can pursue (including higher education) after graduation. My placement has been very educational so far and I look forward to an exciting year.

Marguerite Ritchey, Child Protective Services, South Bend

My field practicum at Child Protective Servies has allowed me the practical experience that has secured my interest in child welfare and social work. The work that I have been doing thus far has allowed me to encounter and advocate for diverse populations while empowering our clients to attain social justice.