Alex Xicay

I recently earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) with a specialization in Community Capacity Building. My passion for mental health is rooted in my lived experience as a Guatemalan immigrant raised by a single mother in underserved Los Angeles communities. Throughout my MSW journey, I gained school-based mental health experience supporting students and families at Alhambra Unified School District and provided community-based mental health services as an intern at Legacy LA, a grassroots organization in Boyle Heights. Currently, I work as a clinician at The People Concern, where I offer mental health support to individuals experiencing homelessness while gaining hours toward clinical licensure. My long-term goal is to open a community-centered private practice that provides accessible, culturally responsive care to historically marginalized populations.

I am deeply honored to receive this scholarship from the California Society for Clinical Social Work. As a recent MSW graduate, this award provides meaningful support as I transition into the next phase of my journey—becoming a licensed clinical social worker. This scholarship not only helps alleviate financial stress but also reaffirms my commitment to advancing equitable, trauma-informed mental health services in underserved communities. I’m grateful for this investment in my future and motivated to continue building a career rooted in healing, advocacy, and culturally responsive care.

Andrea Chavez Trejo

Andrea Chavez Trejo is a second-year Master of Social Work (MSW) candidate at UCLA Luskin with a focus on trauma-informed, holistic therapy for children, youth, and marginalized communities. She has provided bilingual school-based counseling, integrating CBT, DBT, play therapy, and somatic interventions to support emotional regulation and self-discovery. Andrea is passionate about expanding access to culturally responsive mental health care and has conducted research on mental health disparities among undocumented students, advocating for equity-driven policy changes. Her future goals include obtaining her LCSW and developing a clinical practice that blends traditional therapy with expressive arts, inner child work, and body-based healing.