Meet Ingrid Heredia, child development specialist at Bridges at Highland. Originally from Colombia, Ingrid is bilingual which gives her the opportunity to understand our members deeply, by being culturally sensitive, and to provide services in a more effective way.
Here is Ingrid’s story.
Describe your job at BRIDGES.
As a former BRIDGES at Highland Child Development Specialist back in 2019, I had the opportunity to return to be part of this wonderful team and community in Lake Worth. As a Child Development Specialist I will be assisting our members in screening young children for developmental delays to identify those children who are in need of further evaluation and those who appear to be developing typically. Therefore, I will also be responsible for conducting parent/child activities such as the Raise me ups, Pre-K play dates, and last but not least, the Summer Reading Program, so all of our members can benefit from these activities, and be encouraged to learn new skills needed to build and support children’s developmental milestones, as well as other important areas that will help them meet their educational needs.
Why did you decide to work at BRIDGES?
When I was given the opportunity to work at BRIDGES at Highland, I was thrilled about the quality of community outreach and extensive services provided to members, motivating me to continue with this great mission by contributing to engage our members in our program’s activities, welfare for of all our member, as well as cultivating and developing rapport with them for their safety and overall well-being.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I enjoy most about my job is the positive outcomes and constant interaction with our members when they are feeling supported and welcomed. I also feel that being bilingual gives me the opportunity to understand our members deeply, by being culturally sensitive, and to provide services in a more effective way.
How are you making a difference in the lives of BRIDGES families?
I feel that I am making a difference in the lives of BRIDGES families by being able to support them and providing them with essential daily life services such as one-on-one parent-child activities, referrals based on their family’s needs, and many community resources available to them for their advantage, in a team work effort.
What do you hope families gain from attending BRIDGES activities?
I hope that families gain from attending our BRIDGES activities, knowledge, commitment, and understanding of the importance of the services that we offer to all of our Lake Worth community.
Tell us about yourself – where did you grow up, how long have you lived in Palm Beach County, and what are your goals for the future?
I was born in Barranquilla, Colombia. I came to the US when I was 12 years old, leaving behind close friends and family. I adapted to the American culture very fast, as I was already in love throughout my whole childhood to be part of it, and did so well when I enrolled in the school system. I recently moved to Palm Beach County after transitioning from NJ, where I lived since I came from Colombia. I also lived in Tamarac, Florida for about two years; however I became more engaged with the Lake Worth community, and that is the reason why I am so happy to work and be part of it again.