A Social Work Major Strives for Accessibility

Staying true to his passion for accessibility, Isaac complemented his Social Work major with a minor in American Sign Language. It “just made sense,” he says. “Being able to communicate with different people is crucial if you want to be able to help them effectively.”

Last year, in Homelessness in Perspective, a Service Learning course at the NYU Silver School of Social Work, Isaac fulfilled his optional service component at City Relief, a local nonprofit that serves people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. During his volunteer work Isaac realized the transformative impact his unique skill set could provide.

As he was volunteering, he met a deaf individual experiencing homelessness by one of the local parks. “I was able to communicate with them and provide them with the right resources because of my work in the classroom with Dr. Padgett, who taught this course, and my skills in American Sign Language. It was an amazing moment, and it showed me what my future could look like as a social worker.”

Accessibility has remained a consistent theme throughout Isaac’s NYU journey. Outside of the classroom, he serves as the community chair for NYU Silver’s Latinx Social Work Student Organization. He’s also an eboard member for the First-Gen Students of Color Organization, a student-led group that advocates for and creates a space for first-generation students.

“I love this organization because the eboard includes a representative from each social work degree at NYU Silver. I’m the bachelor’s degree representative,” says Isaac. “We also have a master’s degree in social work representative, a doctorate representative, and a PhD representative. I love that our organization is structured this way. Because as a first-gen student, I’m always seeking mentorship and guidance from others. This is a place where students can form connections, seek mentorship, discuss their concerns, and find support.”

On top of his leadership roles, Isaac will work with LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness at Trinity Place Shelter, as part of the Richie Jackson LGBTQ+ Service Fellowship he received from NYU’s LGBTQ+ Center. Over the next two semesters, he will help fulfill critical needs at the shelter. He’ll learn essential skills in LGBTQ+ advocacy, organizational leadership, programmatic development, and strategies for inclusive service.

“Opportunities like the Richie Jackson LGBTQ+ Service Fellowship are hard to find when you’re not a licensed social worker,” says Isaac. “It’s an invaluable experience, getting to work with different populations in public service. And being around other people who share my passion for social work is so inspiring. I try to be a sponge and absorb everything I can because these insights and experiences will help shape my work moving forward.”

As he reflects on his NYU journey, Isaac says he’s amazed at just how much he has accomplished in two short years. “When I think about myself as a high school senior, it’s really a shock to think about all that I’ve done,” he says. “I love taking advantage of all the opportunities at NYU and trying new things that push me outside of my comfort zone. I’ve learned so much from these experiences and can’t wait to see what comes next.”