Transforming Trauma into Change: An Interdisciplinary Journey Toward Youth Justice

My Story:

Growing up in the shadow of my parents' addiction, I often felt like I was navigating the world on my own. I saw firsthand the ways young people can fall through the cracks—and how cycles of trauma, violence, and disconnection can shape their decisions. That personal history became the driving force behind my decision to become a social worker.

Today, I serve as the Program Coordinator for the Center for Dialogue and Resolution, where I’m building a school-based restorative justice program to prevent youth gun violence. This work has become the heart of my professional identity. It combines my formal studies with my mission: to reach youth before they reach a breaking point.

This project pushed me to apply an interdisciplinary approach. From Criminal Justice, I gained insight into juvenile legal systems and diversion strategies. From Psychology, I learned how trauma affects behavior and development. Sociology helped me understand the social environments youth come from, and Anthropology has helped me better support youth from culturally diverse backgrounds.

One of the tools I developed as part of this initiative is a Youth Risk Assessment Tool. It's designed to help schools identify students most at risk of violence, based on factors such as social isolation, trauma history, and access to firearms. This tool is still evolving, but its foundation is psychology, public health, and restorative practices research.

Community connection is vital beyond the office and school settings. This photo captures me engaging directly with youth and families at a local event. I shared information about restorative justice and listened to the concerns of those impacted by violence. Being present in the community deepens my understanding and fuels my commitment to social work’s mission of empowerment and healing.

This work deeply reflects who I am, personally and academically. I am not simply applying what I’ve learned in classes. I’m living it, adapting it, and evolving it into real-time solutions for youth in my community. This is what inspired me to pursue the Online Master of Social Work at Eastern Oregon University. I want to expand my knowledge, earn clinical licensure, and deepen my impact.

The power of this story is that it’s still being written. With the education and support of EOU’s MSW program, I believe I can transform even more trauma into change, not just for others but alongside them.