Intern Reflections by Austin Walker
Hello, world! My name is Austin, and I am a graduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University pursuing my Masters in Social Work. For the past eight months, I have been fortunate to work with ReEstablish Richmond to complete the field hours required by my program.
My time at ReEstablish Richmond gave me a firsthand look at how non-profits can function effectively at the organizational level. Some of my key accomplishments included stepping in as an interim volunteer coordinator, working on ReEstablish Richmond’s #GivingTuesday social media campaign, and helping to coordinate the organization’s annual World Refugee Day event (which will look a bit different this year thanks to COVID-19). I even had the opportunity to attend Richmond’s first-ever Civic Engagement Summit and meet folks all over the Richmond area working to transform this city into a more equitable, more welcoming place.
As I take a moment to reflect on my experiences at ReEstablish Richmond, I am reminded of why I decided to pursue an MSW degree in the first place: the humanistic values and commitment to justice that comprise the profession’s core. One of social work’s guiding ethical principles is to respect the dignity and worth of all people. We also emphasize the importance of practicing cultural humility and acknowledge that individuals are the expert of their own experiences. According to social work values, change is most effective and meaningful when a community comes together to decide for itself what it needs and takes ownership of the change process.
ReEstablish Richmond’s approach embodies all of these values and more. Programs are not designed based on assumptions about what our newest neighbors need; they are designed in active collaboration with our newest neighbors and built on a foundation of trust. It is telling that as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic began impacting our area, ReEstablish Richmond staff immediately reached out to leaders in the refugee community to find out directly what support would be critical during this time. The organization’s ongoing commitment to flexibility allows it to quickly adapt its services to better address new challenges faced by the refugee and new immigrant community in Richmond.
In the end, my observations while at ReEstablish Richmond taught me many important lessons about value-driven and community-based social change. I learned that if you want to make a difference, it’s important to take a look around – sometimes all that's needed is a bridge. My eyes are also open to the powerful network of caring, likeminded individuals who make ReEstablish Richmond’s work possible. And finally, I could not have asked for better mentors than the ReEstablish Richmond staff – I am a better advocate and a better member of the Richmond community because of each of them.
This story is among a series of posts celebrating ReEstablish Richmond volunteers for National Volunteer Month.