“Social work really aligned with my desire to help people like those I grew up with find resources for mental health, financial assistance, food assistance, even scholarships for college like I found for myself,” she said.

Johnson, who earned a bachelor’s in social work degree from the UofL Kent School of Social Work and Family Science in May, said she faced financial and family hardships growing up in the Portland neighborhood and debated whether to go to college. Fortunately, Johnson ultimately found her ideal path as a first-generation student at Kent School. She interned at the Department of Child-Based Services through Kentucky’s Child Welfare CW-PREP, an innovative career preparation program that provides scholarship funds and a path to employment for students interested in making a positive impact serving the children and families of Kentucky.

“I grew up around individuals impacted by the child welfare system, and it shaped my desire to be a social worker who leads with understanding rather than judgment,” Johnson said.

As a Kroger Scholar, Johnson has been a coordinator for Nourish the Ville, a food drive targeting the West Louisville “food deserts” and partnering with the local non-profit Cabbage Patch. She also founded the Black Business Society, a club which connects UofL students with networking, career assistance, financial literacy, mental health and other resources. Johnson hopes to continue both these community service activities beyond graduation.

UofL News talked to Ka’Lynn about how University of Louisville and Kent School have influenced her life path and what’s next for her.

UofL News: As a recent Kent School graduate, what have you learned about the impact social workers can make?

Johnson: Social workers create impact at every level for individual, family, and community by being both advocates and support systems. For individuals, social workers provide guidance, mental health support and resources during vulnerable moments. For families, they help strengthen communication, promote reunification when safe and connect them to tools that build stability. On a community level, social workers address systemic issues such as poverty, food insecurity and access to health care.

UofL News: How has your social work education and training in CW Prep enhanced your understanding of the clients you hope to serve?

Johnson: The training has given me a greater understanding of trauma, resilience and systemic barriers. From coursework and hands on experience in child welfare, I have learned that families are often navigating generational challenges, not just isolated problems. It also helped me understand the importance of trauma-informed practice, ethical decision-making, clear communication and empathy while maintaining professional boundaries.

UofL News: How does social work embody your passion and purpose?

Johnson: Social work reflects my personal mission to create stability and opportunity for families who may feel unheard or unsupported. My passion is in helping families break cycles of instability and access the resources they deserve. Social work allows me to turn my experiences, education, and leadership into meaningful action.

UofL News: How do you hope to help your clients in the field?

Johnson: I want to provide trauma-informed mental health support and empower them to see their own strengths. I want families to leave services feeling more stable, confident and hopeful about their future. I also hope to mentor other students entering social work, especially those facing personal hardship, to show them that resilience and purpose can coexist. I want to model leadership that is grounded in service and integrity.

UofL News: What are your post-graduation plans?

Johnson: I currently work as a pharmacy technician at Kroger but hope to transition soon to work at DCBS and gain a few years of experience there before considering other options like perhaps starting my own non-profit. I want to become a licensed social worker and plan to begin my MSSW (master of science in social work) program at UofL in spring 2027.

UofL News: What has been the best part of your UofL Kent School experience?

Johnson: As a Kent School graduate, I am proud to be part of a 90-year legacy that values service, advocacy and community transformation. My journey has not been easy, but it has strengthened my commitment to becoming a future licensed clinical social worker who leads with empathy and courage. I am grateful for the education and mentorship that have prepared me to carry this mission forward.

The Mayor’s Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods will manage the Trauma Resilient Community Initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in partnership with UofL’s Kent School of Social Work and Centerstone Kentucky.

“We’re thrilled to work on this project because it so closely parallels our mission to create a just and better world,” Kent Dean David Jenkins said. “Our role in the Trauma Resilient Community Initiative is evidence of our unwavering commitment to ensure that every community member has equitable access to services that work, services that help people recover and services that help communities heal.”

The initiative will use a community-based approach to build a “trauma-informed” system of care and services to children and families exposed to violence. The effort is meant to increase the knowledge and skills of people who respond to, make referrals for and provide services to youth and families.

“Louisville is a compassionate city, and compassion requires that we work to remove barriers and create opportunities so that every citizen has the ability to reach their full human potential,” Fischer said. “This initiative is another tool we can use to dismantle the very real barriers of violence, trauma and racial inequity.”

The partners aim to provide trauma treatment to 400 children and their families in west and south Louisville, where data show that youth and families are disproportionately affected by trauma, violence and inequities. The initiative also involves training 200 clinicians in trauma interventions and 200 first responders, volunteers and community service providers in a special youth mental health first-aid model.

Another 40 service providers, public school officials and leaders will be trained in a trauma-resilient approach through the initiative, which will also share the trauma-care information with 50 community agencies serving youth and families and develop a leadership advisory board to increase awareness of trauma and its effects. The initiative includes evaluation of its consumer impact.

“To help people traumatized by violence, it’s so important to use an approach that fully takes into account their circumstances,” said Jennifer Middleton, associate professor of social work. “The Kent School of Social Work’s researchers are pleased to be partners in this federally funded effort to aid people in ways that are sensitive to their needs and based on proven methods – and to help train members of our community to continue that care.”

Middleton, Crystal Collins-Camargo and Bibhuti Sar are the Kent faculty working on the implementation, while Shantel Crosby and Heather Storer are on the research and evaluation team. Kent students also will be involved in ways that include conducting community needs assessments and providing trauma-focused therapy interventions. The Kent group will be looking at specific measures of functioning and well-being for the children and families, Crosby said.

“Our city has made significant gains towards deepening our understanding and ability to make progress against complex challenges like violence and racial inequity. This opportunity allows us to elevate a system that does not just focus on the individual, but organizations, systems and community as part of the healing process,” said Rashaad Abdur-Rahman, director of the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods.

“At Centerstone Kentucky, we are proud to partner with SAMHSA, the Mayor’s Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods and the UofL Kent School of Social Work to provide evidence-based trauma-informed care, creating stronger neighborhoods across our community,” said Anthony Zipple, president and CEO, Centerstone Kentucky.

Besides the local ones, initiative partners include the Center for Trauma Resilient Communities, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the Treatment and Services Adaptation Center for Resilience.

Highlights from Monday’s press release are below.