Displaying resilience
01/24/2025
Ella Meyer was an intern at Crossroads Crisis Center in Lima, Ohio.
Meyer Solidifies Calling
Ella Meyer ’26 of McClure, Ohio, has always known that she wanted to be a social worker. Meyer put her passion into action as she completed an internship with Crossroads Crisis Center in Lima, Ohio.
“I knew from my freshman year of high school that I wanted to go into social work,” said Meyer. “I felt as though my calling was to spend my life helping others and seeing the social workers at Crossroads has help me solidify my desire to be a social worker as well.”
During her time at Crossroads Crisis Center, Meyer completed various tasks such as working with residents to complete intake forms and setting up for events.
Meyer said one of her favorite things she got to experience was a vigil held for domestic violence that displayed the resilience of the residents.
“It was very impactful to see how strong the residents are,” said Meyer. “At Crossroads we don’t see our residents as victims or survivors, just as people. The residents are more than just what has happened to them.”
Meyer attributes obtaining her internship from the support of Kelley VanGilder, assistant professor of social work. VanGilder teaches a Family Violence course at Bluffton which has helped Meyer translate the class into real-world scenarios.
“Kelley has had a huge impact on me and been a big help,” said Meyer. “She is someone who I can always turn to for help, will work with me and is very supportive. She is very accommodating and goes above and beyond the bare minimum.”
On campus, Meyer is a part of Delight Ministries. After graduating, Meyer plans to start her career working as a school social worker to do what she can to improve other people’s lives.
