HSCA values the opportunity to host students and support their learning through hands-on community experience. We’re so grateful to have supported Brittany’s practicum placement at HSCA this year. Here, she shares what she learned about community, connection, and advocacy through her time with us!
My practicum at HSCA provided me with invaluable learning that I could not have gained through classroom lectures or textbooks alone. Only hands-on experience, through real connections with the community, could have offered the meaningful lessons I received.
Through my practicum and interactions with community members, I gained a deeper awareness of their lived experiences, the challenges they face, and the systemic gaps that need to be addressed to improve community health and well-being. These include increasing access to affordable, nutritious food; affordable housing; and diverse supports for various needs such as mental health diagnoses, disabilities, different forms of violence, substance use disorders, and barriers related to immigration or refugee status.
I learned about the vital role community associations play in addressing these issues and advocating for systemic change to reduce the oppression many community members experience.
On a personal level, I learned how special and healing a sense of community can be. Forming strong, meaningful connections within groups can significantly improve an individual’s quality of life, well-being, and sense of purpose. I witnessed the deep resilience of community members and learned how even small acts of support can spark positive change. By lifting others up, encouraging them to take steps toward their goals, and offering support along the way, we can help community members recognize their strengths and move forward with confidence. Through my experience, I have learned how deep listening, empowering support, and genuine connections are powerful for community healing and well-being.
The HSCA community also empowered me as a student. I was encouraged to explore my interests and strengths creatively, with space to make mistakes, learn, and grow. I felt safe to step outside my comfort zone, which was transformative.
For example, I led my own Neighbour Night session, a somatic, mindful, nature- and art-based workshop that I designed and facilitated myself. I was given so much freedom and trust by my supervisor, Claire, which was initially intimidating. I was not used to having that level of flexibility and independence, but I allowed myself to lean into the discomfort, explore my interests, and, in doing so, learned to trust in my own abilities.
Facilitating a real workshop, not one simulated in a classroom, felt nerve-racking at first, but it went so well. I felt grounded, confident, and supported by the people around me, and I am incredibly grateful for that experience. It shaped my practicum in a powerful way and deepened my connection to the group. I saw firsthand the strength of the community- how people opened up to one another, expressed difficult emotions, and showed so much generosity, support, and acceptance.
The HSCA community is beautifully diverse, with people of all ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds, languages, sexualities, and gender identities, and that is truly what makes it so special. I am incredibly grateful for the meaningful relationships I have formed and the many lessons I have gained.
This practicum helped illuminate my strengths, such as building genuine connections, embracing creativity (such as supporting HSCA’s Farmers' Market social media), and facilitating group workshops and programs. I have learned to adapt, stay flexible, and embrace the flow of change. These skills will serve me well in my future career as a generalist social work practitioner.
It also highlighted areas for growth: skills I want to continue developing as I move forward.
My practicum has clarified my career goals and deepened my passion for community-based work. I am drawn to micro-level interactions, such as forming personal connections, but also value the macro-level work of advocacy and systemic change. In the long term, I dream of having my own private practice that integrates somatic healing, nature, and art, all of which I have found to be powerful tools for healing.
I am so grateful for this practicum experience- for the beautiful connections I made with community members, colleagues, and my supervisor. Thank you to everyone who supported me on this learning journey. -Brittany
