It should come as no surprise that, among the students at Viterbo, there are people with amazing stories of strength and resilience. Hailey Johnson, a senior social work student, is one such individual and is willing to share her story with the hope of inspiring others.
Hailey was raised by a single mother who “did her best” to provide for her family. Her mother worked several jobs, leaving Hailey to care for her four younger siblings. At a young age, Hailey demonstrated strength and perseverance in a challenging and overwhelming situation. Her dedication and love for her siblings motivated Hailey to work hard and prevail through difficulties. Even with the heavy responsibilities she carried, Hailey did well in school, participated in sports, and was motivated to attend college after high school.
While Hailey was in high school, her mother could not meet the needs of her family. Hailey and her siblings were placed into foster care. She continued to protect her siblings and advocate for her family. The situation with her mother and placement into foster care were traumatizing for the family and came with many challenges. Still, Hailey stayed strong and continued to be a support for her siblings.
The first foster home was very difficult for the children. Hailey repeatedly voiced concerns, but initially people did not believe her because she was a teenager. The situation changed drastically when a new social worker was assigned to work with the family. This person listened to Hailey and her siblings, took steps to address the issues, and helped the children find a loving, stable home. Hailey felt heard, seen, and supported by her social worker. Hailey knew that her social worker truly cared about her and her siblings and that she could trust this person.
Hailey was greatly impacted by the compassion, empathy, and integrity demonstrated by her social worker. It was at this time that Hailey was inspired to pursue a career in social work as she realized just how significant this role played in helping her family. From that point on, Hailey’s goal was to make a difference in the lives of others as a social worker.
Although her journey has been full of obstacles, Hailey will soon complete her social work practicum and graduate with a Bachelor's degree in social work in May 2025. Hailey is doing her practicum in Youth Justice and is working alongside the very social worker who inspired her to pursue this career. It has been an incredible learning experience for Hailey to be mentored by the person who helped her years ago.
The experiences Hailey has had in life are invaluable to her practice as a social worker. She understands what it feels like not to be heard and has made it her goal to listen to the individuals she serves, advocate for what they need, and be a person they can trust “no matter what.” Hailey’s ability to overcome adversity and her passion to help others who are struggling is truly inspirational.
Written by Erin Miess