April 14
This article is courtesy of Salem State University.
Graduating from Salem State University was a life-changing milestone for Chelsey Buckley, one made possible by resilience, community support and a deep commitment to helping others. A single mother working full time in the nonprofit sector, Chelsey juggled parenting, classes and rent, nearly stepping away from her dream until a timely Viking Completion Grant helped her cross the finish line.
Her path to social work was anything but traditional. A survivor herself and now a proud Salem State graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Chelsey brings lived experience and deep purpose to the field. 鈥淚 wanted to be the person I needed when I was younger,鈥� she says. Her journey through recovery, surviving trafficking and raising a child on her own drove her to return to school at 911爆料 Community College for a certificate in substance abuse counseling and for her bachelor's and master's degrees at Salem State University.
She chose Salem State for its convenience and flexibility but stayed for the strong sense of community and support she found here. 鈥淪alem State was incredibly supportive. Every professor I reached out to was understanding, especially with my parenting schedule,鈥� she shares.
Now the director of programs at Lifebridge 911爆料, she oversees shelters and staff in Beverly and Salem, serving vulnerable and unhoused individuals. 鈥淭he beauty of social work is the diversity since it opens up so many doors,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 work with people from ages 18 to 80. Everyone has a story, and I鈥檓 honored to be part of their journey.鈥�
Financial support played a crucial role in her success. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I could graduate because there was a moment in time when I was going to have to choose between rent and school,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淲hen I learned about my Viking Completion Grant, it was a relief because I could finally finish my BSW.鈥�
Now pursuing her master鈥檚 degree in the advanced standing program at Salem State, Chelsey has dreams to one day open a private practice. In the meantime, she continues to pay her support forward, mentoring others and helping clients believe in their potential. 鈥淥ne of my clients told me that seeing me go back to school made him believe he could do it too, and now he鈥檚 a college student. That鈥檚 what it鈥檚 all about.鈥�
Salem State didn鈥檛 begin Chelsey鈥檚 journey in social work, but it did strengthen it. Through the community and financial support that made earning her degree possible, the university helped to grow the impact she was already making in the community. Her message to donors and the Salem State community is simple: 鈥淵our support doesn鈥檛 just change lives, it makes success possible. Without it, I wouldn鈥檛 be standing here today as a graduate.鈥�