Helping Ourselves to Transform (HOTT) has built a strong, academically grounded Practicum Instructor Program designed to train and mentor university students preparing for careers in law, sociology, psychology, public policy, political science, human services, and data analysis. Through formal partnerships with George Washington University Law School, the University of Maryland, and Bowie State University, HOTT provides a rigorous, trauma-informed learning environment where students earn academic credit while engaging in meaningful, real-world social justice work.
Under the guidance of HOTT’s practicum instructors, students receive structured training in:
• Trauma-informed and survivor-centered practice
• Restorative and community-based justice strategies and movement lawyering
• Data collection, research, and analysis
• Case management and client engagement
• Facilitation, community outreach, and program support
• Legislative research and policy development
This practicum model enhances HOTT’s capacity to deliver high-impact programs, while also developing the next generation of advocates, policy leaders, and justice-focused professionals. By integrating academic learning with hands-on experience, HOTT bridges higher education and community action, ensuring students and the communities they serve benefit from meaningful, equity-driven solutions.