This month, we welcome our two new social work interns at The Center – Jamie Adams and Sarah Laible. Both graduate students in the Masters of Social Work program at UNC-Chapel Hill, they are excited to join our efforts in supporting older adults and adults with disabilities in Wake County. They are both interested in medical social work.
Before coming to The Center, Sarah volunteered with several nonprofits. She is passionate about serving her community and empowering other people to serve. That passion to serve led her to become a teacher after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with her bachelor’s degree in public health. She gained extensive experience working with Teach For America serving children and families from under-resourced areas for that past three years. She is driven to give a voice to those who often go unheard. Sarah hopes to use this motivation to enhance the social and emotional well-being of The Center’s clients. Further, she aspires to advocate for all families to ensure they receive adequate health, social, and economic resources.
Jamie’s interest in working with older adults stems from her time as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at a long-term care facility. Through this experience, she learned how much she enjoys working with older adults and adults with disabilities. One memory she cherishes is working together with the residents to complete a puzzle. She is devoted to engaging with the community as shown through her role as a mental health ambassador during her time as an undergraduate student at Appalachian State University. Jamie is committed to improving lives through human connection and advocacy.
What inspires our new interns? A strong source of inspiration for Sarah is her father, who has served various communities her whole life as a pastor. He has shown care for the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of people in his community. Sarah aspires to do the same thing one day. On the other hand, a huge inspiration for Jamie was becoming a CNA, where she met a medical social worker and learned about what serving older adults and families looks like in a healthcare setting.
Both Jamie and Sarah wholeheartedly support The Center’s mission to create spaces “where all people are welcomed, connected, cared for and valued.” They will be working with The Center through April 2027.
