Welcome to individuals and families
Paul Mubenga
University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Child, Youth, and Family Studies Student | Division I Football Athlete
Welcome to my professional portfolio. This site highlights my beliefs about individuals and families, my approach to helping others, my experiences as a student-athlete, and the resources I would recommend to families. My goal is to become a physical therapist and eventually own my own physical therapy business, where I can help individuals improve their health and quality of life.
My Beliefs About Individuals and Families
I believe strong families provide support, guidance, and encouragement that help individuals reach their full potential. Families come in many different forms, and each family has unique strengths that should be respected and valued.
I also believe that individuals are influenced by many factors, including family relationships, culture, community resources, education, and life experiences. Because of this, helping professionals should approach people with empathy, respect, and an understanding of their unique circumstances.
My Vision of Family Strengths and Well-Being
Family well-being is built on healthy communication, trust, support, and access to resources. Strong families help children develop confidence, resilience, and positive relationships.
My vision is for families to have access to the resources they need to thrive, including quality healthcare, educational opportunities, mental health support, and safe communities.
My Approach to Helping and Change
My approach to helping others is based on listening, understanding, and supporting individuals where they are. I believe change happens when people feel respected and empowered.
The ecological systems perspective has influenced how I view helping. This perspective recognizes that individuals are affected by multiple environments, including family, school, community, and society. As a student-athlete who has overcome challenges such as injuries and adapting to new environments, I understand the importance of support systems during times of change.
Course Turning Point Reflection
One of the most important lessons I learned in this course was understanding how families influence individual development and well-being. Learning about ecological systems theory helped me see how multiple environments work together to shape people’s lives.
This knowledge has changed how I think about helping individuals and families. Instead of focusing only on one problem, I now recognize the importance of considering the broader family and community context.
Resources for Individuals and Families
Nebraska 211 https://uwm211.org/
A statewide resource that connects families with housing, food assistance, healthcare, and other community services.
Child Welfare Information Gateway: https://www.childwelfare.gov/?
Provides information and resources related to child development, parenting, and family support.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Parenting Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/parents/index.html?
Offers practical information on child development, parenting, and family health.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/
Provides mental health education, support, and resources for individuals and families.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America: https://www.bgca.org/
Supports youth development through educational, leadership, and recreational programs.
American Physical Therapy Association: https://www.apta.org/
Provides information about physical therapy, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.
About Me + Introduction Video
Hi, my name is Paul Mubenga. I am a student at the University of Nebraska studying Human Sciences and a member of the Nebraska football team. I immigrated to the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2017 and grew up in Buford, Georgia.
My goal is to become a physical therapist and eventually own my own physical therapy business. I am passionate about helping people recover from injuries, improve their health, and achieve goals they may have thought were impossible.
What drew me to this field is seeing how health affects every part of a person’s life and family. As an athlete, I have experienced injuries and rehabilitation firsthand, which showed me the importance of having professionals who genuinely care about helping others.
What excites me most about working with individuals and families is being able to support them during difficult moments and help them regain confidence and independence.
Thank you for visiting my portfolio and learning more about me.