What started as “an hour of music, spirituality, fun,” led to connections and a therapy of sorts.

It’s that element of connection that drew her to social work. In this field, though, she’s not helping her clients forget their issues—she’s helping them work through them.

“It gives [people] a chance to be heard, a chance for someone to empathize, and a chance for someone to empower [them],” says the 2015 graduate of Touro’s Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW). “I want people to know that I'm here…to help carry their burden.”

And as a single mother with three young daughters, Revah is no stranger to burdens—she rode the rollercoaster of life’s ups and downs while in graduate school. Eventually, she succeeded in not only fulfilling her dream of earning her master’s from GSSW, but becoming class valedictorian.

This is Hila Revah’s story.