Waldo social worker loves to help people

By The Mustangs Mirror Staff

    Waldo Social Worker Monique Jalca was the first staff member to visit with The Mustangs Mirror class this month, and students had a lot of questions for her. As she starts her second year at our school, she looks forward to continuing her work to assist others.

    “I love to help out people that need help,” Jalca said. “Sometimes it’s hard for people when they feel alone.”

    Jalca’s job takes her beyond the walls of Waldo to home visits and check-ins with families throughout our community. She loves to get involved, and the only thing that she dislikes is that sometimes there are limitations to how much she can change things.

    Originally from Los Angeles, Jalca moved to Keizer as a child where she attended Whitaker and McNary. Her last two years of high school were at North. Jalca and her husband have two sons, and the family enjoys spending time outdoors together. Other hobbies include reading and running with her black labrador retriever.

    While she was still a teenager, Jalca said she obtained early experience connected to social work by volunteering at a clinic that performs ultrasounds for pregnant women. She enjoyed making connections, so after earning a bachelors in Communications at Oregon State she went on to earn her Masters in Social Work at Portland State University. The work can be challenging, but she is up for the challenge even when it seems complicated.

    “I try to see things from different angles,” she said.

    Students peppered Jalca with questions after they learned about her job, and the class learned that she has not seen Breaking Bad but she did watch Coco and she liked it. She loves Mexican food, and noted that taquitos and Coke are among her favorite items in a meal.

    Another favorite for Jalca is Waldo Middle School itself, she said. While she certainly has options, is quite happy with our school.

    “I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else,” she said.