Melani Lopera

Background

About Melani Lopera

As a Latina, I grew up understanding the obstacles/challenges many marginalized communities face, especially for individuals who are not from the United States. My passion for helping individuals in need was further impacted in high school. I read The Catcher in the Rye in high school, and the main character impacted me. As I saw how the character was processing grief and facing challenges, I wondered how I could help. Since then, I received my bachelor's degree in Psychology. I further developed my skills through case management, crisis support, and research. My case management experience varies from providing support to immigrant families, individuals suffering from domestic violence, low-income communities, and individuals with mental health. My experience as a Family Advocate and Social Work Intern helped me develop a wide range of skills, such as developing community partnerships, providing comprehensive community resources, and program coordination. Lastly, my research experience within the mental health field helped me understand the needs and importance of community resources for individuals with severe mental illness. I am in my last semester for the Master's of Social Work and Public Health. In my courses, I developed a wide range of knowledge, such as program evaluation, public health and social work research methodologies, intervention planning, grant writing, and public policy.