Orion Brutoco
MSW Graduate Candidate
& Social Change Advocate
Statement of Life Purpose:
To advocate for those whose voices may be silent and inspire those who wish to rediscover the power behind their voice.
Who is Orion Brutoco?
I'm 33 years old and currently enrolled at USC's Suzanne Dworak-Peck's School of Social Work, pursuing a graduate degree. I have a deep passion for advocacy. I spend most of my free time volunteering with nonprofits in town from causes ranging from human trafficking to mentoring juvenile youths. I have a Bachelor's in Advertising/PR and an extensive background in sales/marketing, but I realized a couple of years back that my heart is fed when I'm helping others. Around the same time I was volunteering at a juvenile boot camp in Santa Barbara, seeing the boys two to four times a month for an hour each time. I looked forward to the days I would spend with them. I soon realized I was in the wrong profession entirely. So, I enrolled into grad school, with a basic goal in mind, to learn the tools needed to build effective models, which could be applied to tackle life's tallest mountains.
Volunteer Experience
2013 - 2014
Family Programs Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
Mentored a youth for one year who transitioned out of the foster care system into adult life. We worked to get him enrolled into college, apply for a job, and adjust to living at home with his mother, while navigating the responsibilities of being an adult.
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Volunteered weekends at a youth shelter as an assistant to staff on duty. Assisted youth with homework, reading, and kept an upbeat personality amidst a hard time away from their loved ones.
2015 - 2017
Los Prietos Boys Camp, Santa Barbara, CA
Volunteer at a Juvenile boys camp as the facility coordinator responsible for coordinating eight to ten 12-step meetings per month catered to youth who struggle with mental wellness and substance abuse.
2015 - 2017
Hustlers For Humanity, Santa Barbara, CA
All Star Team Volunteer with a local nonprofit assisting youth in the community. Focusing on causes ranging from human trafficking to mentoring high school students.
Education
2013: B.S. Advertising/Public Relations
Hawaii Pacific University
Cum Laude
Presented with a unique award by the University upon Graduation as: "A Student Whom Contributed Invaluably to the University."
Awarded a Journalism Scholarship for selling the most advertising space in the school newspaper.
Expected Graduation 2019: Master of Social Work
Suzanne Dvorak-Peck's School of Social Work
University of Southern California
Dean's List
Expected graduation date is Summer of 2019.
