Having been born raised in the Brazil of the late 1980s and 90s, I have seen and lived through the enormous disparities in my homeland between the haves and have nots, both in terms of socioeconomics and education. Only the first eight years of school at the time were mandatory and change was only coming slowly; schools were not always accessible, and many were not free. Moreover, many parents did not see the value of sending their children to school, preferring their children to work to deal with immediate household needs, with some children forced into labor as young as three years of age.
I developed a sense of social justice from an early age, an awareness of what was going on around me, and how exceptionally wrong it was. At the age of seven, I began my social work. I decided that it was unfair that a group of poverty-stricken children did not have Christian education in a walking distance. So, I went to them every week, bringing Bible stories and teachings, hygiene awareness and promoting food drives. Thus began my constant fight for social injustice, empowering communities and standing up for their rights. Since that time, I have not stopped expressing my compassion for my fellow human beings, and their material, psychological, and educational needs.
Emigrating to America when I was in high school, we made a promise to our parents that we would complete our education in the US at all costs. Chasing the American Dream with a pocketful of hopes was not easy. What I went through, what I now know is called acculturation was only compounded by inner-city issues including poverty, racism, discrimination, and language issues. In Brazil, we had many similar issues, with Black or Indigenous people, with socioeconomics clearly dividing racial groups. I have walked many miles in the shoes of the immigrant and believe this has aided me in my professional, academic, and volunteer work, increasing my compassion and greater appreciation for the amazing diversity of America.
I bring with me to the program at XXXX University a solid academic foundation in Psychology, an excellent place to begin building my Social Services education. Pursuing my undergraduate degree at night while working ten hours a day as a housecleaner taught me humility, time management skills, and is solid proof of my desire to develop myself, the importance I place on education and making my dreams come true.
For seven years, I dedicated my volunteer energies as a co-organizer of a shelter for migrants, increasing my leadership, communication, interpersonal, organizational, and planning skills. To help our immigrant families - children, youth, and couples - we organized educational seminars, focusing on immigration issues, health and healthcare, education, and parent orientation.
Additionally, I oversaw budgeting, food drives and supervising fundraisers for African organizations. Even outside of the Church, I helped newly emigrated families in any way I could, finding housing, jobs, schools for children and translating. More importantly, our congregation began with only XXX attendants. XXX years later, we had ten times that number. I had proven to myself my ability, and the absolute need for more social programming to address the ongoing needs of incoming immigrants.
Currently, I am a Family Worker for North Shore Head Start, bringing my unique experiences to bear aiding American, Portuguese-speaking, and Hispanic families, aiding them in applying for health insurance, transitional housing, food stamps, and obtaining food, clothes, cash assistance as well as English classes. Additionally, we help families maintain healthy functioning at home, by providing parental education and workshops on improving children's behavior at home.
Graduate Social Work education is a more than a logical and natural step for my career; it is an extension of my professional and volunteer exposure and experiences. Proof of my academic ability and the seriousness with which I will approach my studies is apparent from my undergraduate success in a display of intense will, not to mention that I am now at XXX, considered to be a mature student. I feel that my experiences working as a Family Worker and in the Brazilian Church have given me the necessary exposure to handle the emotional and psychological strains of working with clients and communities that are oftentimes facing the most difficult challenges of their lives. I consider field education and coursework to not be challenges, as much as opportunities to increase my theoretical understanding and exposure.
XXXX University represents the ideal for my higher education. Ever since I came to America, I have dreamt of attending XXXX. Ever since I read XXXX's mission statement, I have felt that we have had the same value system, particularly multiculturalism, community empowerment, social justice and a commitment to the issues facing inner city, or urban populations. All my volunteer and professional endeavors have been dedicated to these very same ideals, and exactly where I envision directing my energies post-graduation.
I have helped to identify needs in the immigrant community, design educational seminars and implement them, with a close eye on budget issues. I am knowledgeable about insurance issues as well as basic social services that are available to families in need. The MSW program will increase my awareness and resourcefulness in identifying services and develop my ability to help families maintain healthy functioning in the home, to help educate and empower them through sustainable living skills, strengthening my community organization and education skills, and community planning and program development abilities.
Graduate education will prepare me for the next chapter of my career, giving me the tools, confidence, and training that I need to be not only an effective social services provider, but also a person who can bring about much needed change in the urban immigrant population, one that is growing every day.
Social Work as a profession has been a straight path for me, from the time I could walk, and by the time I could see the difference between right and wrong in society, I was even more resolved to be the person who would help bring about change. This has been the force that has driven my entire career, be it for payment or for doing the right thing at the right time for those in need, in my community and in Africa. Moreover, there is an ongoing need in the urban community of Boston, the Portuguese and Spanish speaking communities, a need for someone to stand up for their social and economic rights. To this end, to their tomorrow and the people that will come after them, I aim to run organizations that are open for multicultural, experimental, and democratic leadership. More specifically, I foresee becoming a director of a Social Work Program.
Every immigrant, from whichever corner of the world they come from, comes with a dream for a better life, an education, and a chance at happiness. My goal, as it has always been, is to make sure that as many people as possible get that chance, to be able to hold their heads up, with pride and a belief that they really can make it. As someone who has been there and has made it this far, more than a guide, I will also be a role model, friend, and advocate. Thank you for your time and consideration.
MSW Example Statement of Christian Purpose
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