At six years old, Amber Perez tragically lost her father and gained a perspective that would shape her entire future. The Social Work major was assigned to a social worker through her school, an experience that ignited her calling to help others.
"I learned that she didn't heal me," Perez said. "She provided a safe space for me, which is what I do with my current clients. She walked alongside me and journeyed with me."
But the path to higher education seemed impossible. "I didn't have the privilege or access to go wherever I wanted. It was just some foreign dream," said Perez. Then, a high school teacher intervened. "My high school teacher saw something in me. He wrote this fake contract and said I was going to college and needed to sign it. He signed it, took it to the counselor, and had her sign it. I think that was his way of empowering me, that if my mind is set on it, I would figure out a way."
Perez did indeed figure it out. Balancing life as a wife and mother of four young children, she earned her associate's degree from San Jacinto College before transferring to UHD. There, she thrived, excelling academically, joining the College of Public Service honor society Phi Alpha, and securing an internship at Wesley Community Center, a nonprofit organization in Near Northside.
During her internship, Perez's eye for community needs led to meaningful change. Working with seniors, she noticed gaps in programming and resources. "When I started, they had me working with the seniors before we got our clients. I noticed they didn't have anything to do or a lot to do, so they were just socializing. I asked one of the coordinators of the seniors if they had any board games or anything like that, and they said that they didn't have the funding for it."
She also identified practical needs during food distribution. "My idea was getting rolling carts for the elderly, those with physical limitations, or young moms. And then everyone else could get a reusable bag."
Partnering with Phi Alpha President Illona Lumpkin, Perez secured a $1,000 grant through the honor society, which will directly benefit Near Northside residents.
Now after walking across the commencement stage at UHD’s 78th Commencement Ceremony, Perez looks towards graduate school at the University of Houston and an internship at Texas Children's West this fall. While pursuing her LCSW, she's also considering a career in higher education, inspired by her professors' impact.
"My professors at UHD have been phenomenal. Very impactful. It made a difference in my education, life, and future. One professor asked me, 'Do you think you could ever be aprofessor?' I was like, you know, I never wanted to teach. Then she said, 'Look at it like you're raising the next generation of social workers.'"
From a six-year-old girl navigating immense loss to an accomplished college grad, Perez has come full circle.
Are you interested in a career in social work? Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work program at UHD by clicking here.