Maryoli Rojas is an intern at Chicago's Children Advocacy Center.
As a Child Life intern at Chicago's Children Advocacy Center, my main responsibility will be to create a comfortable, safe, and trusting environment to children who are survivors of sexual abuse. Whether it is before/after their Forensic Interview and/or their scheduled therapy session, I interact and play with the children all while engaging them in activities I create. Also, I am completing another summer internship at Children's Home + Aid, Rice Child + Family Center as a Residential Intern. I act as a role model and teach life skills to children in the group home, while providing as much help possible to the staff. The majority of these children struggle with severe behavioral problems and their past trauma, which impedes them from having a healthy development. Both internships will help me to learn to become an advocate for children who have undergone abuse and neglect, while also helping the children heal. Being awarded the Professional Development Award will be of tremendous help as both internships, each of 18-20 hours, do not allow me to be employed.