UNCW Alumna Advocates for Refugee Families
Photo: Bradley Pearce/UNCW
Since graduating from UNC Wilmington in 2018 with a Bachelor of Social Work, Leslie Hernandez has dedicated her career to helping vulnerable populations find stability and safety. “It’s a very versatile field, the core values are about supporting people, being empathetic, letting them have self-determination and I think that’s one of the reasons social work has lasted so long,” she says.
After earning her degree, Hernandez began her career in public service through a year-long AmeriCorps placement with the National Health Corps in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There, she served as a youth health coordinator where she worked with youth who suffered from chronic illnesses and disabilities. Her passion for holistic care deepened when she became a doula for two years at Allegheny Health Network, providing vital emotional and physical support during pregnancy, particularly for refugee and Spanish-speaking women. This experience inspired her to advance her education further.
She went on to earn a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland and a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Now serving as a social worker with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hernandez provides post-release services to immigrant and refugee children who are starting new lives in the United States. The USCRI, established in 1911, is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit international organization dedicated to addressing the needs and rights of refugees and immigrants. USCRI, working with its affiliates, provides legal, social, and health services to refugees, unaccompanied migrating children, trafficking survivors, and other immigrants in all 50 states.
As the daughter of an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, Hernandez understands firsthand the challenges of navigating a new country and culture. She speaks fluent Spanish, which allows her to break down language barriers and ensure that refugees and immigrants receive the resources and care they need. “I can connect to their stories. My mother is from the Dominican Republic, not as a refugee, but she did immigrate to the United States, so I have a natural desire to help those going through that process,” she says.
Reflecting on her time at UNCW, Hernandez credits the university’s College of Health and Human Services and the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement with shaping her path. “Volunteering through the social work program and engaging with leadership on campus helped me find my passion and build the skills I needed,” she says. “UNCW gave me a foundation that continues to support my growth.”
Looking ahead, Hernandez hopes to deepen her focus on maternal and child health, connecting back to her doula experience. “Supporting families during pregnancy and early childhood is critical,” she says. “It’s an area I want to explore more in my future career.”
After earning her degree, Hernandez began her career in public service through a year-long AmeriCorps placement with the National Health Corps in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There, she served as a youth health coordinator where she worked with youth who suffered from chronic illnesses and disabilities. Her passion for holistic care deepened when she became a doula for two years at Allegheny Health Network, providing vital emotional and physical support during pregnancy, particularly for refugee and Spanish-speaking women. This experience inspired her to advance her education further.
She went on to earn a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland and a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Now serving as a social worker with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hernandez provides post-release services to immigrant and refugee children who are starting new lives in the United States. The USCRI, established in 1911, is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit international organization dedicated to addressing the needs and rights of refugees and immigrants. USCRI, working with its affiliates, provides legal, social, and health services to refugees, unaccompanied migrating children, trafficking survivors, and other immigrants in all 50 states.
As the daughter of an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, Hernandez understands firsthand the challenges of navigating a new country and culture. She speaks fluent Spanish, which allows her to break down language barriers and ensure that refugees and immigrants receive the resources and care they need. “I can connect to their stories. My mother is from the Dominican Republic, not as a refugee, but she did immigrate to the United States, so I have a natural desire to help those going through that process,” she says.
Reflecting on her time at UNCW, Hernandez credits the university’s College of Health and Human Services and the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement with shaping her path. “Volunteering through the social work program and engaging with leadership on campus helped me find my passion and build the skills I needed,” she says. “UNCW gave me a foundation that continues to support my growth.”
Looking ahead, Hernandez hopes to deepen her focus on maternal and child health, connecting back to her doula experience. “Supporting families during pregnancy and early childhood is critical,” she says. “It’s an area I want to explore more in my future career.”
This article has the following tags: School of Social Work Students & Alumni College of Health & Human Services