My Experience as a Loretto Justice Fellow 

By Dominique Carmona, 2026-2027 Loretto Justice Fellow 

One of the things I appreciate the most about the Loretto Justice Fellowship is the community. Honestly, I’ve never met a group of people who are so dedicated, helpful, respectful and genuinely kind. Annie, Genesis and everyone involved have made this experience comfortable and welcoming. They are always open to questions, willing to listen and understanding when we need guidance. I really appreciate how flexible and supportive everyone is, because it makes the experience feel less intimidating and a lot more enjoyable.

I really enjoy our community meals because they give us the opportunity to connect with each other outside of our individual placements. I feel like the people involved in Loretto have created a little home within the Fellowship, and that is something that has really stood out. Seeing how passionate everyone is about their work and the communities they serve has been inspiring. It makes me excited to be part of a group of people who genuinely care about what they do. It also reminds me of the kind of environment I want to be part of as I continue growing in my career. Being surrounded by people who are so willing to help and support others has made me feel even more connected to the purpose behind social work.

My experience at Alamito Community Learning Center has also been special to me. Working with people of different ages in Segundo Barrio has allowed me to become part of a community that I had not really experienced before. Even though I grew up in El Paso, I had never been part of this community in the way I am now. There is something special about the culture, the people and the way the community comes together. Being able to work in a community learning center has given me the opportunity to connect with people from different backgrounds and generations, from children to older adults, and I feel grateful that I get to be part of that.

One of the biggest things this experience has taught me is that social work can look very different depending on the setting. Before my fellowship, I had experience working one-on-one in a mental health clinic, but Alamito has introduced me to a completely different side of the profession. Here, I get to work with groups, help facilitate classes, speak in front of people and find ways to connect with the community. Public speaking was something I did not have much experience with before, so it has been a learning experience. I am still developing those skills, but I can already see how much I have grown and how much more comfortable I feel doing things that are new to me.

Having both experiences has helped me feel more well-rounded as a social worker. I have learned that our work is not only about working individually with someone or helping them through a difficult situation. It can also be about creating spaces where people feel comfortable learning, connecting with others and being part of something. Sometimes, it is about helping someone find a resource, and other times, it is about helping create an environment where people feel welcomed and supported. I am beginning to understand how all these experiences can make a difference in people’s lives, and that has helped me feel more grounded in my decision to pursue social work.

Another thing I really enjoy about my placement is that I get to connect with my artistic side. Creativity has always been something I enjoy, so being able to bring that part of myself into my work has made this experience even more meaningful. I like that I can continue learning and developing professionally while exploring creative ways to connect with people. It has reminded me that I do not have to leave parts of myself behind to become a social worker. I can bring my interests, personality and experiences into the work I do, and I think that is something I want to continue throughout my career.

When I was deciding where to complete my fellowship, I was honestly not sure if Alamito was the right placement for me because it was so different from what I had experienced before. I was used to a more clinical setting, so I was unsure about what it would be like to work in a community learning center. I am really glad I had the opportunity to talk to Annie about it because she listened to my concerns and helped me think through my decision. I appreciated that she took the time to understand where I was coming from and offer advice instead of making me feel like I had to figure everything out on my own. Looking back, I am happy I chose Alamito. It has been an experience that has challenged me in good ways and allowed me to discover skills and interests that I might not have explored otherwise.

Overall, my fellowship has been a meaningful experience so far. I have learned from the people in the Loretto Community, connected with a community in my own city in a way I had not before and gained experience in areas of social work that were new to me. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like I am growing not only as a student but as a person. I am becoming more comfortable stepping outside my comfort zone and realizing that sometimes the experiences we are unsure about at first end up being the ones that teach us the most. I am grateful for the support I have received and for the opportunity to be part of a community that has made this experience feel so welcoming. Most importantly, I feel like I am getting a better understanding of the kind of social worker I want to become, and I am excited to keep learning along the way.