WolfPack Leadership Institute
Our History and Philosophy
Wolfpack Leadership Institute was developed under the inspiration of Abby Wamback’s book, “Wolfpack” and social worker, Dr. Brene Brown’s book, “Braving the Wilderness''. After moving from Houston, Texas then quickly ending two very disappointing social work jobs in the Las Cruces community due to ethical dilemmas, conflicting values and beliefs, and the lack of quality leadership. Business owner and social worker Monique, assessed and consulted with other local professionals and social workers and determined that there is a need and gap in quality local in-person leadership and professional development training in Las Cruces. Wolfpack Leadership Institute sets out to fill this gap.
Abbey Wamback said…
“Like most little girls, I was taught to keep my head down, stay on the path, and get my job done. I was freaking Little Red Riding Hood.
You know the fairy tale ---it’s just one iteration of the warning stories girls are told the world over. Little Red Riding Hood heads off through the woods having been given strict instructions: Stay on the path. Don’t talk to anybody. Keep your head down and hidden beneath your Handmaid's Tale cape.
And she follows the rule...at first. But then she dares to get a little curious and she ventures off the path. That’s, of course, when she encounters the Big Bad Wolf and all hell breaks loose.
The message of these stories is clear:
Follow the rules.
Don’t be curious.
Don’t say too much.
Don’t expect more.Otherwise bad things will happen.
But when I look out into the world, as well as back on my life, it becomes clear to me that those stories aren’t true. Every good thing that has come to me --and the women I respect --has happened when we dared to venture off the path.”
As social worker, Dr. Brene Brown, states in her book, “Braving the Wilderness”...
‘We must sometimes stand alone in our decisions and beliefs despite our fear of criticism and rejections...
...becoming the wilderness is about breaking down walls, abandoning our ideology bunkers, and living from our wild heart rather than our weary heart.
This practice requires us to be vulnerable, get uncomfortable, and learn how to be present with people without sacrificing who we are. To brave the wilderness and become the wilderness we must learn how to trust ourselves and trust others. True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.”
Wolfpack Leadership Institute is the venture off the path and braving the wilderness.
Our Mission
Wolfpack Leadership Institute’s mission is to train local leaders of the Las Cruces community by providing continuing education units, certifications, and quality evidence based training opportunities on an ‘in-person’ basis. Wolfpack Leadership Institute serves to create access and availability of quality training opportunities to local leaders, managers, social workers, clinicians, providers, and community members to support and make an impact on our thriving local community.
Our Values & Ethics
Wolfpack Leadership Institute embodies National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. The NASW core values embraced by social workers, including the owner and operator of Wolfpack Leadership Institute, are the foundation of our work purpose and perspective:
Service
Ethical Principle: Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need to address social problems.
Social justice
Ethical Principle: Social workers challenge social injustice.
Dignity and worth of the person
Ethical Principle: Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person
Importance of human relationships
Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships
Integrity
Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner.
Competence
Social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise.
Meet the Business Owner
I can be found frequently on our local mountain ranges especially the Organs Mountains. The tool for my self-care is through hiking, especially solo. It clears my head, allows me time to problem solve and process.
My name is Monique Rodriguez and I have been a licensed social worker for nearly 6 years while serving the community for nearly 20 years. I have served clients in different settings including in schools, homes, offices, transitional housing facilities, medical facilities, and in the community. I have spent most of my career serving the veteran & military population through macro and mezzo roles, in addition, I served in the US Army for 8 years. I have a passion for social work workforce development and I enjoy training and mentoring the next generation of social workers as I grow in my own career. I have been a field instructor for MSW, BSW, psychology, sociology, and public health students for 3 1/2 years and currently a field liaison supporting MSW students through their field placements.
At home, I have a supportive husband who also served in the Army, two boys who are 9 and 11 years old, along with our pets, 2 chihuahuas Pugsley and Pinto, and a strong willed cat, Shady.
I look forward to working with, collaborating, and serving our community.
-Monique
CEU Accreditation
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- Wolfpack Leadership will continue to add credentialing organizations for other licensed professionals over time.
Sign Up for a Class Today!
Early Childhood Trauma (0-5 years) and Therapeutic Interventions
October 02, 20218:30 am - 12:30 pm
Tentatively scheduled for Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 8:30-12:30pm in partnership with Melanie Dunne, LCSW, IMH-E (III), Clinical Supervisor and Britney Miera, LCSW from Amistad Family Services.
Agenda includes:
- Welcome & Introductions
- Understanding how childhood traumatic experiences impacts growth and development
- 15 minute Networking Break
- Children and their caregivers
- Therapeutic Interventions
- Q & A
- Survey & Evaluation
- Closing and Thank you
- 30 minute Networking Time
$60 plus tax.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there.
Register