Social Worker Appreciation Month Spotlight: Sandra Gonzalez-Hernandez

Mendocino County, CA - March is Social Worker Appreciation Month — a time to honor and celebrate professionals dedicated to helping others. Here in Mendocino County, we are proud to highlight the many ways social workers support and strengthen our community every day.

One such social worker is Sandra Gonzalez-Hernandez, CalWORKs Job Services Social Worker with the Mendocino County Department of Social Services. In her role, Sandra supports families and youth with a strong emphasis on education and long-term self-sufficiency.

From the moment you meet Sandra, her passion for education is clear. Although many assumed she was the perfect student taking AP courses, Sandra graduated Ukiah High School describing herself as an average student. She faced numerous challenges, as many students do, and navigated the process without much support.

“My high school counselor told me, ‘Congratulations, you are going to graduate high school,’ and that was it,” Sandra recalls. But for her, simply graduating was not enough.

As a first-generation college student, Sandra navigated the complex and often daunting college application process largely on her own. With dreams of pursuing higher education to help others, she applied to and was accepted by four universities. She chose to begin her journey at Mendocino College, where she found both inspiration and direction.

Through grit, determination, and the support of college counselors, Sandra earned her Associate’s degree in Psychology. She credits her ethnic studies coursework with shaping much of her personal growth and influencing her path toward social work.

Sandra continued her education at California State University, Sacramento, earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. While completing her studies, she worked on campus as a student assistant, where she discovered her passion for student support programs. It was there she found her niche: guiding and uplifting students as they navigated their own educational journeys.

In 2020, after earning her Bachelor’s in Ethnic Studies, Sandra returned home to Ukiah. Reconnecting with mentors at Mendocino College and encouraged by her younger brother’s teacher, she applied for a position teaching a Freshman Advisory course at Ukiah High School. Working with students from diverse backgrounds proved transformative.

“Working with students humbles you,” Sandra reflects. “At the end of the day, you’re going to do what’s best for them.”

Her dedication led her to a grant-funded outreach position with Sonoma State University, where she counseled and advised junior high and high school students. When the grant concluded, Sandra brought her experience and passion to the County, joining CalWORKs Job Services within the Department of Social Services.

Today, Sandra supports youth and families facing significant barriers to academic success. Many of the young people she works with are considered chronically truant or are young parents — challenges that can make educational achievement feel out of reach.

“This position allows me to continue working with students, transferring a lot of my skills from previous roles as well as my personal journey,” she says.

Sandra offers a unique and powerful perspective shaped by her cultural background, personal resilience, and lived experience. She is deeply committed to supporting those who may feel overlooked, helping them recognize their strengths and possibilities. She also works closely with families, encouraging them to support their students in pursuing higher education regardless of financial or personal obstacles.

We are grateful for Sandra’s dedication to the families and students she serves. Through her compassion, advocacy, and belief in the potential of every young person, she is helping create lasting change in Mendocino County.

Mendocino County Department of Social Services Employment & Family Assistance Services provides assistance for community members seeking support through CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, and CalWORKs Job Services. For more information, please visit https://www.mendocinocounty.gov/departments/social-services/employment-family-assistance-services. 

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