Shirley Mendez is pursuing her Master of Social Work at the University of Washington through the Advanced Standing program and plans to graduate in June 2026. She is passionate about working with the Latinx community, particularly supporting children and youth. Her experience in a community center clinic and mentoring Latinx youth has strengthened her commitment to culturally responsive care, advocacy, and empowering families.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Shirley is dedicated to reducing barriers to care and ensuring services are accessible, respectful, and culturally aligned. Her interests include child and family mental health, crisis intervention, and wraparound services. Grounded in compassion and social justice, Shirley strives to create safe, empowering spaces where children, youth, and families can heal and thrive.