Learn more about COE Family and Human Services program alumni Lillian Garcia, '16 through our Alumni Spotlight series
“The Family and Human Services program refused to let me fail and I am forever grateful. I would not have graduated college without the help and support of the FHS faculty and staff.” – Lillian Garcia
Lillian serves as the Volunteer Coordinator at CASA of Lane County where she is dedicated to helping children and families thrive. She credits the Family and Human Services (FHS) program for preparing her for her career, where she learned the importance of implementing compassion and understanding for all those she works with. She is also thankful for the support the faculty and staff provided her, as well as the camaraderie of her cohort.
Hometown: Roseburg, Oregon
How did the FHS program help prepare you to serve your community?
I will never forget the lessons on ethics from the FHS program. We were t0ld it is in your best interest as a human services professional to understand how someone could shake a baby or how a pregnant mother could keep abusing substances. That stuck with me in the best way. It is significantly more helpful to meet someone at their level of understanding and find compassion for what they are experiencing. It is not productive to begin an interaction by looking down on a person because their actions do not align with your moral compass. Within the foster care system, it can be infuriating to see parents who do not treat their children with love and respect. We still have to work with those parents in a productive way to support children reunifying with their families. I really value doing the work to find out where someone’s world view comes from.
How were COE faculty or staff influential or helpful during your time in the program?
During my last few terms of college, I became extremely anxious about graduating and finding a career. I started missing classes and assignments. My FHS supervisor took me aside to ask what was going on. I admitted how far behind I was with graduation coming up. I was immediately assisted by the faculty and staff to ensure I made up assignments, passed my classes, and graduated on time. The FHS program refused to let me fail and I am forever grateful. I would not have graduated college without the help and support of the FHS faculty and staff.
What is most rewarding about your field of work?
I always keep in mind the big picture. It is so rewarding to remember that everyone thrives when our children and families are strong. The children we help in the foster care system will not always be children. They will grow up to be our neighbors, doctors, and teachers. It is in our best interest as a society that our children have loving safe homes so they grow into happy stable adults who contribute positively to our community.
What is your advice for current FHS students?
When you graduate, you may not find your dream job right away. After graduation I worked in nonprofit development. I worked for environmental attorneys and personal injury attorneys. I worked in property management and healthcare. I am now the volunteer coordinator at CASA of Lane County. Do not be afraid to quit a job and try something else. Your life journey is not a straight line. Your journey will weave back and forth and loop around. That is normal. Do not be hard on yourself if it takes several years to find a job that feels right for you. You are going to live a long time and you need to be happy. Never be afraid to try something new.
Favorite memory from UO/COE?
I really enjoyed the comradery of the cohort. College felt really big and overwhelming. It was helpful to have a group of people that felt like my community at UO. Due to the nature of the work we were learning about, students had to open up to one another. It felt safe to do so because of the level of respect shared between members of the cohort. Everyone came from such different walks of life but we were all excited to help our community.