Cloudy weather didn’t stop the Social Work Club as they held an information session on Wednesday May 15. The members greeted everyone who came to their table with a smile.
“I feel like the club helps empower students to be successful in both their education and community goals,” president of the Social Work Club, David Hernandez said.
Hernandez takes a lot of pride in this club due to his hearing disability. He has tinnitus and hears ringing in his ears.
This hasn’t stopped him as this has only made him want to help people even more, especially people that have disabilities like himself.
Hernandez got an ear infection which caused him to have to use a hearing aid to help.
Due to this he’s had to learn sign language to help him understand what other people are saying to him.
On top of that he has also learned how to read people’s lips as well to help him in conversations.
“I worked at a hospital for 16 years and I joined this social work program to continue to help people. Hopefully, disabled people too, like myself,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez knows the problems that people could face when they want to ask for help, and just wants to guide them in the right direction.
He attends Long Beach currently as a student, and plans to transfer to California State University Northridge.
CSU has one of the largest deaf student populations, and top deaf studies programs for a public university,
Hernandez plans to continue his social work there, and help students like how he’s doing at LBCC.
The club focuses on providing information to students about resources and events on campus.
They aim to help students out who might not know who to talk to, or how to use what’s being provided to support students.
This can range from basic needs, financial aid, disability help, tutoring, and on campus events.
Hernadez was also joined by Shamonique Harris, vice president of the Social Work Club, who also aims to help the students however she can.
“It’s a great way to connect to students on a one to one basis. We feel like if students get this info, or see others present it they would be more comfortable with getting help from those departments,” Harris said.
Students can also get info on how to join the club itself. Which is what Emely Morales, a student, had come to the table to do.
“I’m majoring in social work, and it just makes sense for me to be involved in this so I can give back to this community,” Morales said.
The club holds its information sessions every Wednesday at the LAC campus, and Thursday at PCC.
The club plans to continue this during the fall semester.