Andy Bowen is one of four Social Work and three Undergrad interns at DASH this year. She’s from Severna Park, MD, but she claims DC as her real home. She’s currently getting her Masters in Social Work at the University of Maryland – College Park. She has been interning at DASH since August and will be leaving us in April – but we are not quite ready to let her go. We asked her a few questions to showcase both how amazing she is and the impact she’s made at DASH.

• How did you end up doing your internship at DASH?: “My band, Southern Problems, played a benefit show for DASH back in August 2012. I knew it was an organization that valued what I value: commitment to community, harm reduction, empowerment. When time came to apply to a second-year internship for my MSW program, DASH was my first choice.”
• What social justice issue are you are most passionate about and why: “Economic justice is always the issue that I’m most focused on. My first job out of college was working in labor organizing, and it was impossible not to be infuriated and driven by the countless stories of people getting violated by their bosses, an inadequate safety net, and an overall system that wants for compassion.”
• What has been your favorite DASH moment?: “I can’t go into specifics because of confidentiality, but there’s nothing like talking to one of the residents and having that moment where you both really get one another. That’s where healing starts.”
• What are your plans for after DASH?: “Working on transgender and economic policy issues, most likely.”
• If you had to be an animal what animal you be and why?: “I like cats, but they’re generally mean. I’d like to be a nice cat. Fighting all the meanness.”

What DASH staff say about Andy: 

“From the moment I met her I knew she was a go getter and that she would be a perfect fit for DASH. She always makes herself available to the women and staff, she will and does go the extra mile, you can tell that she loves her work and it shows in the work that she does. She will be a wonderful addition to any organization that she works with.”

“I appreciate Andy’s analysis.”

“I have really appreciated watching Andy work one on one with our residents. She’s shows a tenacity for assisting the residents in reaching their goals that I think the residents really appreciate.”

“Andy makes coming into work in the morning brighter and happier. She is always smiling, always ready talk, support or listen. She is going to do great things.”