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19 GEORGIANVIEW 2024 PRINT EDITION BLACK ExCELLENCE Alumnus shares his positive philosophy with clients Jermaine James (class of 2023) is an alumnus from the Social Service Worker program who now, as a Behavioural Support/child and youth worker, works with non-verbal children and teens on the spectrum who have multiple disorders. When he was introduced to the fields of social work and mental health through Georgian, he quickly realized how well they complemented his passion to positively impact the lives of others. We talked to Jermaine about how he has managed to maintain his positive philosophy, even though he has faced many challenges, including racism, while immigrating from Jamaica to Canada. Although, as a Black individual, he said he carries with him the trauma that many racialized people face, he does his best to remain positive. He explains. "I've experienced difficulties and challenges, but you must get to a practical place where you accept the reality of what is behind you and at the same time, navigate the reality ahead of you. We often bury ourselves in encounters that are negative and miss the opportunities of the positives that are in front of us. Everyone needs to have a sense of belonging. It doesn't matter age, race, ethnicity. My favourite quote is from the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., about how our children 'should not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character.' My time at Georgian made me observe and reflect a lot because it's a place that promotes change, positivity, and innovation. I asked myself: what else can I do to create an atmosphere for someone else where they never feel alone? Then, I got hired into a group-home setting, working with non-verbal children and teenagers on the spectrum who have multiple disorders, which became quite a fulfilling experience. It opened my eyes to a broader dimension; it caused me to look deeper within myself. I felt driven to ensure they were all part of the EDI&B acronym – equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Seeing smiles on the faces of my clients reinforces I'm on the right track more than anything. To see them open the door before their parents, or screaming your name at the window in excitement, jumping up and down … it's worth more than anything else. It sounds cliché but the pay cheque doesn't matter. The real emphasis of my passion is connecting with all individuals and helping them connect to their purpose, destiny, and hope."