Interning at Greene County Family Justice Center provides hands-on, real-world experience for those pursuing a career in social services. Lexi who just graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Evangel University, interned at GCFJC for the past year. Through her educational studies she learned how systems interact on a micro, mezzo, and macro level including individuals, groups, communities, and policies to create change based on promoting human rights.
We asked Lexi, who through her practicum has seen the full scope of services at GCFJC, to share her experiences and give some insight to others who may be considering a similar path.
Q: How did you first become interested in interning for GCFJC?
Lexi: As part of my social work education, I was required to complete a practicum at a local organization. I was personally interested in a placement that would challenge me to grow professionally while allowing me to work with a population that I hadn’t had much experience with. I initially interviewed at a few sites that did not feel like the right fit before my professor recommended the Family Justice Center. I had not heard of the GCFJC before but entered the interview ready to learn. The moment I walked through the doors, I was inspired. I was amazed with the full-frame, multidisciplinary approach to helping survivors. I could see that every service was designed to meet people where they are with real, practical support. I knew that this was where I wanted to complete my practicum and was thrilled to be accepted as an intern.
Q: What did you learn about GCFJC, intimate partner violence (IPV), and the community since becoming an intern?
Lexi: I came into the internship with very little knowledge about domestic violence and intimate partner violence, and the growth I’ve experienced from that has been profound. I’ve learned about the different forms of IPV, the ways it shows up across any type of relationship, and the wealth of services available to support survivors. The area that I feel I’ve learned the most is in trauma-informed care, both the practices and importance. Every team at the GCFJC prioritizes safety, empowerment, and individualized support so that survivors can feel seen, heard, and supported. Working closely with the Navigators, I’ve observed how trauma-informed care is integrated into every interaction.
Q: How did you cope with the emotional weight of the work?
Lexi: The GCFJC has an incredible team who offer each other support, prioritizing mental health and self-care. I was fortunate to be in an environment where coworkers check in regularly and model healthy boundaries. As a student I was required to reflect outside of work on what I observed from an educational perspective, connecting it to my social work training. Maintaining boundaries, practicing self-care, reflection, and collaborating with colleagues were essential to processing the emotional weight of the work.
Q: If someone had shadowed you as an intern, what do you think would surprise them most?
Lexi: As an intern, I spent a lot of time behind the front desk, which does not sound like the most interesting task. But I think it would surprise someone to realize how important that first moment can be. It is incredibly difficult for a survivor to take the steps to call in or come into a service like the GCFJC for a variety of reasons. Those moments can be incredibly vulnerable and overwhelming, so being able to communicate to them that they are believed and supported is incredibly important and rewarding.
Q: During your internship did you learn that you had any misconceptions about domestic abuse?
Lexi: Before this internship, I honestly did not have much education about domestic abuse. I learned a lot in general about the ways abuse manifests, the factors involved, the wide range of services, and everything in between. One thing that surprised me was the number of men who seek support at the GCFJC. While I knew that domestic violence occurs across all genders and backgrounds, my experiences proved to be an important reinforcement of that fact.
Q: What’s one thing you would tell somebody if they wanted to intern at GCFJC?
Lexi: I would tell prospective interns to come in with an open mind and a willingness to learn. The GCFJC offers a wealth of knowledge and experience across different teams and partner agencies. Ask questions, engage with every team, and be ready to absorb as much as possible. Every staff member brings a unique perspective, and it is those diverse experiences, education, and backgrounds that make the GCFJC such a supportive organization. No day looks the same, and there is always something new to help you grow.
Lexi is joining the GCFJC team as a Navigator. In the future, she hopes to continue her education by pursuing a Master of Social Work. “Until then, I am excited to work as a part of the team that I’ve spent the past school year with,” says Lexi.
About GCFJC
The Greene County Family Justice Center is a non-profit collaborative of local agencies offering comprehensive services to survivors of domestic, sexual, and family violence. Our services are trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and we welcome survivors at any point in their process. We partner with local non-profit service providers as well as local law enforcement, the Prosecutor’s office, and Children’s Division to make victim services more accessible and completely voluntary. If you do not want to participate in the criminal justice process, we support you.
Our vision is a future where we all work together to meet the needs of domestic violence and human trafficking survivors through comprehensive and accessible services, education, and perpetrator accountability. Through a coordinated framework and co-located response, we strive to break the vicious generational cycle and community impact of domestic violence and resulting victimizations.
We can help you plan for your safety whether you plan to stay in the relationship, or you are actively trying to escape. All our services are free, confidential and survivor centered. Have questions about what services are available? Visit us at 1418 E. Pythian Street or give us a call at 417-874-2600. We are open 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. For after-hours assistance, call the Harmony House/Victim Center’s 24-hour safe line at 417-864-SAFE (7233). If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.