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Samantha Travis | BSW, QMHP, Senior Jail Case Manager

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Biography:

I went to James Madison University for my Bachelors in Social Work and minored in Anthropology. I initially went to JMU as an Anthropology major and during my second semester of Sophomore year, I decided to take a Prisons and Punishment class that was offered in my concentration. Coincidentally, I also decided to take Intro to Social Work that semester as well because I had been working as an aid and mentor to a child in foster care.

That semester changed everything for me. Within the first week of Intro to Social Work, I knew that is was my calling. Throughout my Prisons and Punishment course, I would leave class upset in disbelief about how insanely unjust and unfair the criminal justice system is. During that semester I filed to major in Social Work, then I found myself passionately sharing about criminal justice issues in many of my assignments. I knew that reentry work was my passion because I wanted to have a direct connection with the people experiencing hardships and improve their situations.

In my final semester of JMU before I graduated I was required to have an internship. I started looking at the VCU Social Work Internship Page and OAR was my first choice. When I initially read the website and saw the mission, I knew that I wanted to work with the organization without a doubt. I relocated to Richmond to intern at OAR for my final semester of Social Work at JMU. Then I applied and accepted a position with OAR before I graduated and have been working in jails ever since.

Reentry is my passion. I want to be apart of improving this population’s experience and making others aware of the hardships our clients face every day.

 Favorites:

  • Part of Work at OAR: Confirmation from clients that whatever I have done to assist them has made a positive impact in their lives.

  • Food: Mac & Cheese

  • Place in Richmond: The Fan is probably my favorite. I love the culture, people, art and the food!

  • Color: Purple

  • Books: The Harry Potter Series

  • TV Shows: Grey’s Anatomy, 90 Day Fiancé, and Catfish