HAAM Staff Spotlight: Meet Marcela Antonioli
Marcela Antonioli, LPC-I is one of HAAM’s Program Coordinators and assists HAAM’s musicians, DJs and music teachers with navigation of healthcare services. Marcela coordinates HAAM’s vision program, mind and body program, hearing health services and supports HAAM’s prescription assistance and community outreach efforts.
Learn more about Marcela and her dedication to serving the health and wellness needs of the Great Austin music community that HAAM serves.
Tell us a little about your background. Where did you grow up and go to school?
Marcela: “I grew up in Mexico City and moved to Houston 20 years ago. In Houston, I graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising and Public Relations, but I realized that my forte was helping others. So, I went back to school to get my Master’s in Counseling from the University of St. Thomas.”
Musician Cesar Valencia and Marcela Antonioli talking are HAAM resources during a recent HAAM + Estes Audiology Hear Clinic.
What took you out of the advertising world? And how did you decide on on social work, since that’s such a big jump?
Marcela: “I always wanted to be either a lawyer or psychologist or something related to mental health. In Mexico you go straight to law school after high school but in the US it takes longer and I wanted to make a career change right away”. After I graduated from college, I found that I could get my Master’s Degree in Counseling and decided to give it a try. Best decision I’ve made!”
How long have you been working at HAAM? Can you tell us about some of the work you did before HAAM, and how that lead you to your current work?
Marcela: “I started two years ago in July …. I knew (HAAM COO) Rachel Blair and some of my co-workers from a previous job. That’s why I felt at home as soon as I started working at HAAM. I used to work as a Resource Navigator at Seton Mind Institute where I provided community resources to folx who were in crisis. Afterwards, I worked as a play therapist for children on the spectrum for 3 years. Now at HAAM, I coordinate the vision, mind and body, hearing and outreach programs.”
When you started at HAAM, did you know specifically that part of your work was trying to connect with traditionally underserved communities? Or did that come later on after you started working?
Marcela: “Outreach was my main focus, but it made sense that I first become more familiar with the current community resources that the city offers because my family and I left Austin for 8 years and came back a few years ago. Austin was a very different city when we left.”
What are you working on with outreach?
Marcela: “We are building meaningful relationships and trustworthy relationships with our members and local organizations that support musicians of color. Our main goal is to build trust with local musicians and create awareness of the benefits or joining HAAM among underserved local musicians.”
Are you enjoying connecting with the community? Do you feel like it's making progress?
Marcela: “Connecting with local communities is extremely important for us. We wouldn’t be able to do the work we do on our own. We are grateful for our community partners. I think the steps we’re taking are more meaningful now and even though it’s baby steps, they’re making a difference. I’ve been able to establish relationships with musicians who can help us spread the word about HAAM among musicians who don’t know what we have to offer. There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done.”