My name is Jessica Mendez, and I very much enjoyed participating in Advocacy Day, also known as Lobby Days. Listening to National Association of Social Workers (NASW) members discuss their efforts and having the chance to lobby at the Capitol was memorable. One event that stood out was meeting with representatives to advocate for AB 338, a bill focused on wildfire workforce development and supporting fire recovery efforts in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. This resonated with me because I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and seeing policy connected to my own community made the experience personal. Another impactful moment was observing the California Senate Floor, which included the Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony. Watching Senator Caroline Menjivar, a social worker, reminded me how our profession can extend beyond direct services.
As students in a clinician-focused program, it is easy to get absorbed in micro-level work. However, Advocacy Day reinforced that social workers can drive meaningful change at the systems level. Connecting with students from other schools strengthened that realization and made it clear that we share a commitment to social justice and are part of a much larger movement.
Advocacy Day also featured booths filled with resources and information for social workers, including various advocacy tools. One opportunity that stood out was learning about 23Strong, a student-led advocacy group. I now serve as an officer on the team, which has allowed me to continue advocating for the profession and stay engaged in macro-level work. I highly recommend Advocacy Day to any aspiring clinician as it is an empowering opportunity to grow as a leader, engage in advocacy, and build meaningful professional relationships.
Written by Jessica Mendez, Master of Social Work student
