Thanks to the generosity of our donors, this year we were able to give the Mental Health Diversity Award to five candidates. They are early career professionals who are seeking licensure and who are committed to diversity-informed therapy. They come from a range of backgrounds and will be pursuing licensure in Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy. Please meet our new Awardees!
Alicia Farrington (pictured), MSW student, University of MN is currently interning at Kente Circle. She uses Relational Cultural Therapy to address issues of power, privilege, oppression and marginalization. She is seeking LICSW licensure while currently employed as a child protection supervisor in Ramsey County.
Samira Adam, MSW, LGSW, who currently works as a therapist at Lutheran Social Services. She is trained in Trauma Systems Therapy with Refugees and is a committee member at LSS on Race Matters. She is seeking to obtain her LICSW. She speaks three languages including English, Swahili and Somali and has extensive volunteer experience.
Fatima Abdulkadir, MSW, is currently working toward licensure. She is employed as a Child Protection Worker in Ramsey and Carver County. She would like to destigmatize the need for mental health and chemical dependency treatment in the Somali community. She also has extensive volunteer experience.
Angelique Ellis, MSW, LGSW, was previously employed at a crisis call center as a senior social worker and is seeking licensure as an LICSW. Her experiences growing up on the Near Northside of Minneapolis inform her desire to provide increased mental health services equitably. Health problems have made employment and being able to afford licensing fees a challenge. She is very excited to volunteer at Walk-In.
Maggie Nelon, MA, Marriage and Family Therapy is currently working at Edges Wellness Center as a therapist-trainee. She is motivated to reduce barriers to treatment in marginalized communities. She is working toward licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist and has extensive volunteer experience.
Each of these awardees are committed to volunteering at Walk-In, and we welcome the variety of skills and experiences they will bring!