The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) is pleased to acknowledge Michael Carnevale, a dedicated Master of Social Work candidate who volunteers at its Legal Advice and Referral Clinics (LARC).

Because of Carnevale’s commitment, clients at the walk-in clinics get critical assistance with employment, housing and other social services resources.

Carnevale has been an integral member of JDC’s clinic since he began volunteering in 2016. Clients often come to LARC dealing with multiple stressors and some have mental health issues. Carnevale works closely with attorneys, paralegals and law students providing legal services to address clients’ needs and contributing to holistic services at the clinics.

Volunteering at LARC has taught Carnevale more about the different resources available to the community as he connects clients to other organizations that may help them navigate complex systems. Though volunteering at LARC can be challenging, especially when Carnevale wishes he could help clients more than he can in a limited-scope setting, he really enjoys working with JDC staff and other volunteers in a great collaborative environment.

Outside of volunteering, Carnevale is a residential counselor at Huckleberry House, a crisis shelter for youth. He is in his second and final year of San Francisco State University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program. He is also an MSW intern at North County Behavioral Health. Originally born and raised in Calistoga, California, until he was 10 years old, Carnevale then lived in Indiana. He returned to California to attend UC Santa Cruz, and has lived in San Francisco since 2012. In his free time, Carnevale loves to be active and spend time outdoors playing soccer.

For more information about the Legal Advice and Referral Clinic, visit www.sfbar.org/probono.