Featuring Impact Award Winner Mayda Berrios, Founder of “In Her Shoes LLC”
Mayda Berrios, Founder and Owner of "In Her Shoes LLC," is a distinguished professional speaker traveling the United States, recognized for her award-winning presentations. A graduate of Delaware State University, she holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work. Formerly the President of the Delaware Youth Advisory Board, Mayda actively engages in the Child Welfare realm as a now Foster Parent Licensing Specialist where she works diligently to recruit foster families.
Mayda's impactful keynote presentations draw from her personal experience in foster care. Her extensive knowledge of child welfare systems is shared not only in youth and school groups but also in events tailored for adults. As she continues her journey with "In Her Shoes LLC," Mayda Berrios remains a beacon of inspiration, utilizing her expertise to enlighten and empower audiences nationwide.
In her community involvement, she has taken on various roles that reflect her passion for making a positive impact. As the founder of Hornets in Motion, a community service organization, Mayda has worked tirelessly to bring people together and address local needs. Additionally, she is a member of the Independent Living for Young Adults Leadership Team, where she actively contributes to empowering young adults in their journey towards independence. As the President of the First State Youth Move Delaware chapter, she is dedicated to advocating for youth mental health, aiming to create a supportive environment for young people in the state. Lastly, as a proud member of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated, she engages in collective efforts to promote unity, leadership, and service in the latin community.
Recently, Mayda was awarded an Impact Award for inspiring others and spurring impact in Delaware communities. We would like to share some of her responses given when discussing more of her background in the social work field.
Q: Can you introduce yourself?
A: My name is Mayda Belen Berrios. I am 24 years old and owner of In Her Shoes LLC. You can learn more about me at my website https://maydaberrios.com
Q: What is the best career advice you ever received?
A: Don't be afraid to try new avenues within your career. I knew very little about recruitment for foster parents, but when an opportunity presented itself, I went for it and little did I know, I'd end up loving this career. The social work field is so broad and I've experienced various roles including working with the State of Delaware and in the school systems
Q: What compelled you to enter your field?
A: After experiencing 4 years in Delaware's Foster Care system, I wanted to find a way to continue my advocacy work as an adult. I pursued social work during my undergraduate years at Delaware State University. I began as an intern with the Division of Family Services and later interned at Bayard Middle School as an In School Support Teacher. I am now a recruiter and license homes for foster care. It has been a 360° moment and I am grateful that I found my passion in this field.
Q: What’s one industry-specific thing you wish you knew when you started?
A: I wish I had understood how broad the field of social work is. Prior to switching to a social work degree, I spoke with many individuals in the industry. They all shared how broad the field is and how the various experiences they had led to their current job. I didn't quite understand that yet. I would have benefited from learning about the many roles you can have with a social work degree.
Q: What trends do you see dramatically influencing the work in your industry?
A: There is an increase of young people with lived experience in foster care pursuing roles in the industry. I think it's important to hear directly from the individuals impacted by the system and appreciate the impact of youth voice.
Q: What’s a common myth about your industry?
A: Social work is only for removing children from their homes. It's quite the opposite, actually; in the field of social work, a lot of preventative work is done to limit the removal of children and/or reunify children with their family as much as possible. The field of social work is broad and more careers exist than just "child welfare social workers".
Q: Is there anything else that you would like to share?
A: I have lived experience in the Child Welfare system and I do my best to use my experience to enhance the system as well as share my story with individuals wanting to become foster parents in hopes of opening their minds to the impact they can have on a child in need of love & support.
If you are interested in following Mayda, you can find her social media links below:
