Meet the Founders

    Manny is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the state of Massachusetts and bilingual in English and Spanish. He received his Master's of Social Work from Springfield College and received a post Master's certification in Adolescent Trauma from Simmons University. Manny was previously a Social Worker with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, which allowed him to gain insight into different systems including schools, courts, and outpatient and inpatient settings. Manny also has significant experience conducting psychiatric emergency mental health evaluations on children, teenagers, adults and the elderly.  Manny utilizes strength based and trauma informed therapeutic techniques. He has experience working with individuals with significant behavioral health needs including depression, mood disorders, anxiety, adjustment disorders, trauma, bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders  and is also experienced with crisis intervention.  He is passionate about reducing the stigma that is associated with behavioral health in undeserved  communities and helping families access community resources that they can benefit from.

What inspired you to work with fathers and families?

       Manny's passion in working with fathers and families stems from personal and professional experience. Working across different systems, Manny gained insight into the lack of targeted services available to men and fathers which ultimately negatively affected the family system.  As a father himself, Manny grew up in an underserved community where there was stigma associated with behavioral health. As a professional, he understand that across many different cultures, that same stigma can prevent underlying  trauma from being treated, which may result in behavioral challenges throughout adulthood.

Furthermore, the lack of culturally sensitive therapeutic services highly impacts marginalized communities, i.e., uninsured, housing insecure, immigrants, etc. This inspired Manny  to give back to his community in a meaningful way: by bridging this gap and providing culturally sensitive therapeutic services to individuals and their families  as well  addressing barriers to their behavioral health care.

 Derrell is a licensed clinical social worker based in Rhode Island, holding a Master’s in Social Work from Springfield College. With a post Master’s certification in Social Services focused on Children, Youth, and Family, Derrell brings extensive experience. Derrell previously served as a Residential Director for nearly 15 years, gaining clinical expertise in aiding at-risk youth and understanding the dynamics of assisting families. Derrell excelled in collaborating with various service providers to achieve common goals for optimal family outcomes. In the last seven years, he has worked as a mental health therapist, providing direct support to individuals of all ages with diverse clinical diagnoses. Derrell is dedicated to offering hope and comfort, assisting people from various backgrounds who have faced trauma and suffering.

What inspired you to work with fathers and families?

Derrell is motivated by his own upbringing in the inner city. He found inspiration to work with fathers and families. Having experienced the challenges of growing up without his biological father, he recognize the profound impact a male role model can have on a child. He always wished for someone from a similar background who understood the trials he faced just to attend school. This personal journey led his  to dedicate himself to working with fathers and children, not only from his own community but others as well. His goal is to be a voice, providing the support and guidance he wished for, offering both praise and the hard truths about life and its complexities.