Everyone has their own story; and their unique path to get where they are meant to be. The road might take twists and turns, but at some point, it levels out and everything makes sense.
Danielle DiPrima was a military police officer for the Marine Corps, so she would respond to domestic violence and child abuse calls, but she couldn’t just move on right after answering. She wanted to know what happened to that battered wife or those malnourished children, so she’d call Child Protective Services to check on the victims afterward. On the other end of the line, the woman said something profound.
“If you’re calling and following up, you’re on the wrong side of the fight.”
Shortly after, Danielle began researching school social work, then started her masters in 2021, finishing in 2022. The military spouse and mother of three interned with the CVN Clinic in Jacksonville, then started her new position as a regional social worker in November. “My biggest thing is the focus on helping veterans and giving them those services that the VA and other veteran organizations fail to meet because of limited resources and financial ability,” Danielle said.
Danielle is incredibly passionate about multiple aspects of her job, like issues that veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. She puts it into layman’s terms. The military takes an 18-year-old who doesn’t know who he is, strips away what he knows, and builds him into what they want him to be. After 20 years of service and doing what he is taught, he’s expected to return to civilian life. “The real world smacks them in the face, and it’s a really hard hit,” Danielle says.
Unfortunately, it’s not shocking that one of the biggest pandemics facing veterans is homelessness. Veterans may deal with this if they are not getting mental health treatments, then it snowballs from there, they lose their job, no longer have an income, and finally don’t have a house. That’s why HOPE is so important.
“HOPE focuses on all of that. Getting referrals for mental health. Getting them the employment, then our team comes in and helps them get financial assistance,” Danielle says.
The population they’re working with is resilient, and that’s another reason why the job is so rewarding.
“The tenacity they have to continue to fight and try to make their own way is amazing,” Danielle says. “They’re reaching out, but at the same time, they’re applying for jobs, and they’re trying to increase their employment skills. They’re trying to make it for themselves.”
If you’re interested in the field of social work, please visit the sources listed below:
The National Association of Social Workers
The New Social Worker- Online
About Hope For The Warriors: Founded in 2006, Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family and hope for post-9/11 veterans, service members and military families. Since its inception, Hope For The Warriors has served over 40,000 through a variety of support programs focused on health and wellness, sports and recreation and transition. One of the nonprofit’s first programs, Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships, has awarded 212 scholarships to caregivers and families of the fallen. For more information, visit hopeforthewarriors.org, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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