Walk-In Counseling Center has announced four recipients of the 2024 Mental Health Licensing Diversity Award. The award comes with up to $2,500 to pay for the costs of obtaining a Minnesota mental health license (LGSW, LISW, LCPP, LP etc.) It was created in 2020 to help increase the number of people from underrepresented backgrounds in the mental health field.
The recipients are Diamond G., Alexis S., Ebony W., and Helen E. (Some of the awardees are already volunteers at Walk-In, so we provide only the first initial of their last name.)
“Thank you to the Walk-In Counseling center for this award,” said Helen E. (pictured.) “I am excited to be given the opportunity to work with a program that is bridging the gaps between our mental health systems. I look forward to coming back later this year and volunteer again!”
Helen, who speaks Spanish, has worked with clients in both English and Spanish at Walk-In during her recently completed masters student practicum.
Diamond G., who has extensive case management experience said, “I have witnessed the challenges of marginalized communities and the true need for change. I want to bridge the gap.” Diamond has a master’s degree in social work from Capella University and completed a practicum at Walk-In Counseling Center.
Ebony W. has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota and experience in a variety of human services settings including Isuroon, a Somali-led local nonprofit focused on the health and well-being of families. “I am interested in giving back to the community in many ways, and this is an amazing opportunity to do so,” she said.
Alexis S., who is a native Spanish speaker and is currently a mental health support professional at a public school, said, “I love to support people in need the same way people supported me at the beginning when I came from Puerto Rico… Giving is how you receive.” Alexis has been working with families from low-income and immigrant backgrounds for 20 years.
“We are pleased to be able to give these talented professionals a boost as they work toward licensure as counselors,” said Mary Weeks, executive director of Walk-In Counseling Center.