Community Champions Spotlight: Serina Williams, Clinical Social Worker/Therapist, New Vision Therapeutic Support Services in DeSoto County

The Patterson Foundation believes that individuals, organizations, and communities can achieve their goals by working together. By engaging people, businesses, nonprofits, government, and media around shared aspirations, The Patterson Foundation fosters wide participation to create positive changes that impact us all. In this Community Champions Series, we are spotlighting Serina Williams, Clinical Social Worker/Therapist at New Vision Therapeutic Support Services.

Mini Interview
1. How long have you lived in DeSoto County?
I was born and raised in DeSoto County, went away to school, and returned to my hometown because I love the small-town feel and the aspirations of people in the community.

2. What programs, organizations, or initiatives are you involved in within DeSoto County?
I established New Vision Therapeutic Support Services in Florida in March of 2018. Not only do I lead that practice, but I also work with Jrprenneur Brunch. I am a mentor with Take Stock in Children, partner with various other organizations in DeSoto, provide workshops, and am involved with providing support to local churches. I do this work because youth have so many outside influences and social media challenges. They struggle with finding their identity and are searching for meaningful things to be a part of. As a young person in this community, my school activities were limited. I was in Girl Scouts and heavily involved in church programs. To expand our reach, we would travel to other communities to compete in choral contests and other homegrown activities.

3. What is your favorite thing about DeSoto County?
My favorite thing is the close-knit community. We have seen some tragedies in the community, but we see that people come together to make a powerful impact on healing. We also have such talent and purpose-filled people here that I love to see them be able to move forward positively and thrive. 

4. What positive changes have you seen in DeSoto County over the years?
I am a part of the DeSoto County Ahead initiative with The Patterson Foundation, and I am on the Faith Action Team of the Aspirations to Actions - Harwood Institute for Public Innovation. I’m encouraged by the progress of people working on a shared community vision. When I was young here, we didn’t have a lot of programs for young people, but now we have organizations that offer programs like Links to Success, Big Brothers Big Sisters, YMCA, and the Boys and Girls Club. These programs offer mentoring and personal growth. Also, Adult Education and Workforce Development programs are more readily available.  Overall, organizations collaborate more often.

5. What are your aspirations for DeSoto County?
I want to see growth and stability for families to break the general overall patterns of where families are and overcome the feeling of being stuck in a certain place, so people can see a way out. And they can grow here and thrive. Taking steps forward and continuing to grow and have what they need. I want to see people holistically able to experience wellness and possibilities. 

I’m invested in DeSoto County and proud to have been born here and raised here. I came back to my hometown, where my heart will always be, and I am here to help my community grow. 

6. Are there other things you like to do? 
I like to travel domestically and see things from state to state. I do also like to go on cruises. I enjoy exploring small towns. I have had fun seeing history in Memphis, Savannah, and other southern towns and historical places. 

I’m a foodie. I cook and bake. Enjoy trying other cultural foods, and one of the popular things I make is my grandmother’s Sweet Potato Pie recipe. People request the pie, and I do make it for many during holidays and special events. 

Being in the business of dealing with trauma, it is good to know that I can provide a supportive, compassionate environment where people can safely process emotions and can gain clarity to move forward with confidence and renewed strength.

What A DeSoto Digest Team Member Shared: 
“I believe that Serina is a DeSoto Community Champion. She is a Clinical Social Worker/Therapist at New Vision Therapeutic Support Services. She is also part of the Faith Team for the DeSoto County initiative. In our Community Conversations, the need for mental health services frequently came out as a need for all ages, but especially for the pre-teens/teens. Serina addresses those needs and has a desire to see DeSoto County get ahead. She is very knowledgeable and cares about the people of DeSoto County.” – Sandra Vega-Picchietti, The Patterson Foundation.