I began doing adoptions in 1994, taught community education on Special Needs Adoption, and did home studies and counseled prospective birth mothers on all choices available to them.

I received my MSW degree from Boise State University in 1996, and continued to do adoption work until March of 1997 when I began counseling. I have worked at several clinics, and for myself since that time. I learned a great deal about autistic spectrum disorders, but I have also worked with many people who struggle with chronic and severe mental illness, including Bipolar disorder, Dissociative disorders, Schizophrenia, Generalized Anxiety, Depression, and Personality disorders.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with New American populations, who are in such need of help in recovery from severe trauma and the violence of war. I am now a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional!

Valer Mapendo is passionate about helping others, social justice, cultural humility and health and wellness. He has gained experience in the area of case management since joining the Uzima team in 2021 and has served as a clinical intern since 2022.

He received his Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Denver, with a concentration in Mental Health and Trauma. He looks forward to serving New Americans/Refugees, low-income individuals and families, and the community at large with a strengths-based and culturally informed approach.

In his spare time, Valer enjoys walking, gardening, exploring cold-pressed juice recipes, learning interesting subjects, spending time in nature, and collecting vinyl records.

Robert (Bob) Franklin joined the Uzima team in April 2023. He is a veteran with 27 years of service as a medic in the Air Force and the Air National Guard. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences from Boise State University in 1992 and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Northwest Nazarene University in 2004.

He started his social work career as an LSW in nursing homes and upon earning a Master’s Degree he began providing mental health therapy in mental health clinics in Nampa, Meridian, Mountain Home AFB, and Boise. He took three years off from being a clinical social worker in 2020 to engage in volunteer work and complete a Human Rights Certificate at Boise States University. Bob specializes in Trauma, Grief, and Loss, but is also skilled in treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder.  He is certified through Evergreen as a Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapist (DBT-C), and has completed coursework to be a Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist (CAGCS). 

 He values the worth of all people and strives to provide the best treatment for all clients so they can experience hope and dignity, and achieve goals that will bring about positive life changes.