Beyond Comfort Zones: Creating Community in a California Internship

Casey Weiner is taking her Bachelor of Social Work internship beyond state lines and beyond her comfort zone. Currently serving as the Active Older Adult Co-Coordinator at the YMCA of Santa Monica, she is blending her passion for music with her commitment to social work, creating meaningful community connections along the way.

Taking my BSW internship at the YMCA of Santa Monica was one of the biggest and most intentional risks I’ve ever taken. I made a decision to step outside of Illinois, leave my comfort zone, and trust that this leap would lead me somewhere meaningful. I knew I wanted to work with older adults, and I knew I wanted space to grow — professionally and personally. With the support of my social work program and Professor Mary Stauffer helping me explore opportunities, everything led me here. Looking back now, it feels like it was exactly where I was supposed to be.

From the very beginning, I wasn’t just excited about the position — I was excited about connection. I wanted to build real relationships with older adults, to learn their stories, and to create programming that actually mattered to them. As the Active Older Adult Co-Coordinator, my role has allowed me to step into planning events, supporting daily programming, building partnerships with community organizations, and spending intentional one-on-one time with members. Every week looks different, but showing up for people always remains the same.

One of the most beautiful parts of my experience has been discovering how naturally my love for music fits into my social work practice. Music has always meant something personal to me, but I never imagined it would become such a powerful tool in my field placement. Through events like our “PAL”entine Potluck (where my partner and I played guitar and sang for the guests over an abundance of food) and through my ongoing one-on-one guitar lessons with an older adult, I’ve witnessed how music creates space for vulnerability, joy, and confidence. After the potluck, people came up to me sharing how meaningful the event felt to them, how it brought them together, how it reminded them of memories, and how it simply made them happy. I will never forget those conversations. Hearing that something I helped create had that kind of impact was overwhelming in the best way.

And the first time I led a one-on-one guitar lesson, that moment will stay with me forever. Watching her practice, seeing her progress week to week, and hearing how proud she felt of herself reminded me why I wanted to pursue this path in the first place. It wasn’t about teaching chords perfectly or performing. It was about creating space for someone to feel capable again, to feel seen, and to experience joy through something creative. What moved me most was realizing it meant just as much to me as it did to her. In those moments, social work and music didn’t feel separate — they felt deeply connected.

Working with older adults has taught me more than I ever expected. I’ve learned about resilience, about the depth of lived experience, and about how powerful community truly is. I’ve been inspired by how open members are to trying new things and how much meaning small interactions can hold. Sometimes it’s the simple conversations, shared laughter, or singing along to a song that create the biggest impact.

This experience has completely shaped how I see my future in social work. It has given me confidence to take risks, to build programming around my passions, and to trust that creativity belongs in professional spaces. I now see clearly how I want to continue blending social work with music and possibly build a career that intentionally bridges the two.

My advice to other BSW students is simple: don’t wait for permission to bring your authentic self into your field placement. Your personal passions can become powerful tools for change. If you see a connection — explore it. If you have an idea — propose it. Sometimes the most meaningful work happens when you allow yourself to lead with both heart and skill.

I feel incredibly grateful for this experience, for the people I’ve met, and for the trust the community has given me. This journey has shaped me in ways I will carry with me long after this internship ends.

Stauffer has witnessed that growth firsthand.

“It is truly a joy to see Casey thrive, and I am honored to bear witness to her learning and growth. Casey has truly made this experience her own. She stepped into this journey with a sense of adventure and a genuine openness to learn—qualities that continue to define the impressive way she navigates her internship every day,” Stauffer says.