Shane DaSilva-Novotny

Discipline: Social Work Trainee
About:

I am a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT. It is there that I earned a BS in Political Science along with a minor in Psychology and another minor in Communication. While there I was part of Zeta Delta Epsilon Honorary Service Society, a club that had given me many opportunities to help my community. This included volunteering at the CT Special Olympics working alongside the president of the club to help the disabled children and young adults participate. I would also volunteer and work with younger children more directly at Blackham Elementary School in Bridgeport, CT. There I ran a chess club as an after-school activity and acted as an assistant in a pre-k classroom. Currently I am attending graduate school at the University of Maine in Orono, ME. Here I’m working towards a master’s in social work. I have always been a heavy advocate for disabled children, adults, and the elderly. Within my family there are people with Autism, ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, and other disabilities. To see such hardworking and intelligent people struggle with things that they couldn’t control is upsetting. At the same time it makes you a more grounded person and makes you thankful and gracious for what you are given. It’s my ambition to improve the lives of those oppressed within my career.

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