By Kara Jacobsen
Tapio Taina Jr. entered the field of Social Work to be able to give back to communities in need. Specifically, he hopes to get involved with agencies like Adult Protective Services. Tapio is a San Diego native and spent his formative years in foster care. Having interacted with social workers firsthand, Tapio has a perspective on what the profession requires. He knew early on one day he would pay it forward and return this service to others.
Fast forward to now, Tapio will be completing his Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Administration and Community Development in May. As part of his curriculum, Tapio selected the internship opportunity at Alzheimer’s San Diego. After reading the mission statement on our website: Helping people impacted by dementia, fighting stigma, and supporting research, Tapio felt inspired and wanted to see how he could better support this goal.
“I have empathy for this community. I see this as a growing issue and want to be involved in making a difference. I’ve heard stories about my friends’ struggles in their families with this disease. I also learned one of my family members dealt with dementia,” he explains.
As an intern, Tapio has helped with administrative duties coordinating education webinars and reviewing official documents for accuracy. Additionally, he has supported people with memory loss that live alone through our phone outreach program VITALZ.
“One of my favorite moments was when I spoke with a woman through VITALZ. She was so appreciative of being able to express herself freely. It was a teachable moment for me. I learned how important and meaningful it was for her just to have someone listen and care,” he describes.
LEARN MORE | VITALZ Program
Tapio’s internship also involves him serving on our finance oversight committee to ensure fiscal responsibilities are being met. He’s also enjoyed being a part of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee, which aims to take actionable steps towards making Alzheimer’s San Diego a more welcoming organization.
“DEI was a new experience for me and helped me connect with the staff as an intern. It’s also allowed me to apply what I’ve been studying in school, which on the macro side is seeing what needs improvement versus what is already implemented. I’ve also been able to improve my public speaking skills. I’ll definitely be able to utilize this experience in my future career,” he expresses.
Tapio recommends other graduate students consider this program because it gives you a lot of current insight into the field of social work. Overall, Tapio has valued being able to practice active listening and learn more about this vulnerable population. His internship not only gives him experience on a professional level but also helps him when talking with his friends whose families live with the disease on a personal level.
Interested in learning more about our internships and volunteer opportunities? Give us a call at 858.492.4400 or click here to learn more.
