Today we’d like to introduce you to Delphine Gervais.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Delphine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I spent 15 years in early childhood, public and charter school settings in both Head Start and Miami Dade County Public Schools in various roles (Head Start Social Worker, School Social Worker, TRUST Counselor, TRUST Chairperson). In 2014, I accepted the role of Founding Dean of School Culture and Climate with The SEED School of Miami, a public college prep boarding school to support the mission of 24-hour learning. It was then I realized that my work could be more meaningful in this community in the private practice role of a therapist and thought partner. It’s been three years since I’ve opened up Breakthrough Care and Resource Center, Inc. and I’ve had the honor to partner with individuals, families and organizations in identifying opportunities for transformational change.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with anyone you want in life, there are dues to pay and it’s been nothing less than what I’ve expected in this journey in my career. I remember earning my undergraduate degree in the early 2000s and wondering how I could do right by the parents I was serving in Head Start. I was a young professional experiencing what we now know as “imposter syndrome” and were it not for capable workplace mentors, it would have been that much more difficult. Time and experience have been a great teacher for me. I blinked my eyes and hindsight being what it is, I’ve had the pleasure of serving in communities as far south as Coconut Grove and as far north as Lauderdale Lakes.
I remember taking on a per diem job as a medical social worker and going into the home of a bed-bound patient whose family was nowhere to be found. It’s instances like this that have solidified my commitment to this profession. I’m proud of my Haitian heritage, but I remember having to explain to my parents and their friends, why I chose to go into the social work profession. Ironically, it’s growing up in a community of disadvantaged that first ignited my passion for social work. It took some time, but my parents came around to understanding what I did, especially when they saw me in my element advocating on their behalf. The current struggle is ensuring that people understand that social work in all roles is vital to the survival of a community. Whether you are in medical social work, school social work, working with first responders, counseling, policymaking, or as a public servant, it’s important to know the profession’s values are impactful whichever way you look at it.
We’d love to hear more about your work
I can be typically found sitting across an individual who is facing some phase of life changes or providing pre-marital counseling to a soon to be wed couple. I have the pleasure of guests speaking on a myriad of topics concerning emotional and mental wellness and provide clinical expertise to churches, organizations, schools and those in leadership roles in various settings. That’s the cool thing about doing what I do in this season. I believe that mental health is not relegated to “one to one” experiences but rather to the “one to many” experiences as well.
My niche is working with millennial women, college-aged students who want to get a better handle of this whole adulting thing. I currently also serve both Broward and Dade school employees. Working in the education world for ten years gave me a unique perspective that I can now best approach with fidelity in the therapeutic setting.
I count it a win with a school administrator who can gain the tools to better lead his/her school or a school bus driver can better manage workplace challenges with greater ease.
I’m not interested in creating a “set apart” mentality in the work that I do. I believe collaboration with colleagues and vested stakeholders in this community yields more impact rather than solo efforts. That being said, I’m all about connecting those with a need with those who can best meet those needs.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I think being alongside my Haitian born mother through her breast cancer journey is one of my proudest moments. It’s been five years since her death but for those three years in her fight against cancer, we fought alongside each other in terms of ensuring that she received the services owed to her. I did not leave a rock unturned in respects that what I knew she needed to live a good quality of life. I shudder to think how many people cannot articulate their needs and have little recourse. I think my mom realized then what my job as a social worker was all about. So I’m thankful I was able to be her social worker during that time.
Contact Info:
- Address: Pembroke Pines Office: 701 Promenade Drive Suite 204 Pembroke Pines, FL 33026
Miami Gardens Office: 20401 NW 2nd Avenue Suite 310 Miami Gardens, FL 33169 - Website: www.breakthroughcrc.com
- Phone: 786-508-2163
- Email: dgervaislcsw@breakthroughcrc.org
- Instagram: @breakthroughcrc
- Facebook: Breakthrough Care and Resource Center
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