4. Implementing Behavioral Health Access into Community Based Organizations. Breaking Silence, Building Support: Mental Health Care at Sunnyside Community Services

Kerly Serrano is the Director of the Center for Active Older Adults at Sunnyside Community Services (SCS).  She has over 15 years of experience in the field of Gerontological Social Work with an expertise is in community assessment and program development.  Her focus has been in advocacy and the fostering of community relations to the end of educating, empowering, and strengthening the relationship that the senior has with his/her community. SCS serves approximately 14,000 individuals each year including children, youth, adults, and seniors in Queens and throughout the City.

Javier Osorio has served as the Geriatrics Mental Health Coordinator at Sunnyside Community Services since October 2013. He has 31 years of experience in the social work field, bringing a deep commitment to supporting older adults. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and, 19 years later, earned a Master’s degree in Social Work. As a bilingual professional fluent in English and Spanish, he effectively serves a diverse community, where more than half of the center’s daily participants are native Spanish speakers. Originally from Colombia, Mr. Osorio emigrated to the United States as an adolescent. His own experiences overcoming language barriers have inspired him to work with vulnerable populations. His dedication to social work has been both a professional calling and a personal source of accomplishment.

Born in Eastern Europe in the early 1950s, Lucia Novic grew up in Romania during the communist era. She earned a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management in Bucharest and, after graduating in 1972, worked for Intercontinental Hotels, which was partnered with Pan American Airlines. This opportunity to work for an American company in a communist country was a significant achievement. In 1982, Lucia emigrated to the United States, settling in New York City, where she continued her career in the hotel industry and enjoyed a successful professional life. After retiring and facing difficult personal challenges, Lucia sought support through psychotherapy, but found the experience to be impersonal and unhelpful. Seeking ways to find assistance, she became a member of Sunnyside Community Services (SCS). There she discovered not only engaging activities but also access to counseling. This new support system helped her navigate major life changes with resilience, courage, and strength, leading her to a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.