01 / COMMUNITY
SERVE
Make a difference through volunteerism and meaningful community engagement.
A community for social work students & professionals
Small Actions.
Big Impact.
Lasting Change.
Bridging the gap between social work education and professional practice through meaningful mentorship, service, connection, and leadership.
Every ripple begins with connection.
What guides us
Four pillars. One purpose.
Our work is rooted in opportunities to give back, build relationships, develop professionally, and lead with intention.
02 / RELATIONSHIPS
CONNECT
Build supportive networks through mentorship, collaboration, and shared experiences.
03 / DEVELOPMENT
GROW
Explore learning, career readiness, and professional development beyond the classroom.
04 / IMPACT
LEAD
Strengthen your voice, confidence, and capacity to create positive change.
Our belief
The next generation of social workers deserves community, opportunity, and support.
Small actions. Big impact. Lasting change.
About The Ripple Effect
Connecting education to the work ahead.
The Ripple Effect was founded in 2026 with a simple belief: social work students should have meaningful opportunities to connect what they learn in the classroom with the people, communities, and professional experiences that shape their future.
Through mentorship, service, networking, and leadership development, we bring together students, practicing professionals, and community partners to learn from one another and create lasting impact.
We believe growth happens through relationships—and that even small actions can create ripples of change.
Meet Our Founder →What we do
Programs that create connection.
Opportunities designed to support emerging social workers and strengthen relationships across our professional community.
Connect · Grow
Ripple Mentor Program
Connecting social work students with professionals for guidance, encouragement, and real-world perspective as they navigate their educational and career journeys.
Explore mentorship ↗Serve
Community Service & Volunteerism
Helping members put social work values into action through service opportunities and community-focused initiatives.
Express interest ↗Connect · Grow
Networking & Professional Development
Creating space for connection, career conversations, skill building, and learning beyond the classroom.
Stay connected ↗Become part of the impact
There's a place for you in the Ripple.
Whether you're starting your social work journey, sharing professional experience, or partnering to serve the community, we welcome your interest.
Students & Members
Build community, learn about opportunities, and stay connected to resources that support your growth.
Student membership interest form ↗Mentors
Share your experience and support emerging social workers through guidance, connection, and professional development.
Mentor interest form ↗Partners & Volunteers
Collaborate with us on service projects, learning opportunities, and community engagement.
Start a conversation ↗Learning & support
Resources for the journey.
Helpful starting points for social work students and professionals. External organizations are listed for reference, not as formal Ripple partners.
Social Work Ethics
Explore the National Association of Social Workers' Code of Ethics and the values guiding professional practice.
Explore NASW ethics ↗Licensing & Career Pathways
Learn about social work licensing and regulation through the Association of Social Work Boards.
Visit ASWB ↗Texas Social Work Licensing
Find official Texas licensing information through the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council.
Visit BHEC ↗Gather & grow
Upcoming events
New opportunities are on the way.
We're building opportunities to connect, serve, and grow. Check back for announcements or reach out to stay informed.
A note from our founder
Leadership grounded in connection.
The Ripple Effect grew from a commitment to supporting the next generation of social workers and creating spaces where students and professionals can learn from one another.
As an educator and licensed clinical social worker, I believe mentorship, service, and genuine professional relationships can help bridge the gap between education and practice.
My hope is that The Ripple Effect becomes more than an organization—it becomes a community where aspiring and established social workers feel supported, connected, and empowered to make a meaningful difference. I hope every person who engages with The Ripple Effect walks away with a stronger sense of purpose, a deeper connection to the profession, and the confidence to create positive change. Because even the smallest actions can create ripples that lead to lasting impact.
Founder & Executive Director
Ariana Gamarra, MBA, LCSW
Ariana Gamarra is a licensed clinical social worker, educator, and founder of The Ripple Effect. Her work reflects a commitment to social work education, mentorship, and professional growth. Through Ripple, she seeks to connect emerging social workers with the relationships and opportunities that help them translate learning into meaningful practice.
Let's connect
Every connection can start a ripple.
Have a question, an idea for collaboration, or an interest in getting involved? We'd love to hear from you.
Send us an email ↗Instagram
@rippleeffect_tx ↗
@rippleeffect_tx ↗
LinkedIn
The Ripple Effect on LinkedIn ↗
The Ripple Effect on LinkedIn ↗
Location
Serving the social work community in Texas and beyond
Serving the social work community in Texas and beyond