Social Worker Spotlight: Ivan Ferrouillet, LMSW
Ivan Ferrouillet, HCHV
HCHV Outreach Social Worker
Workplace & VISN
New Orleans, LA VISN 16
How long have you been employed by the VA?
2 ½ years
What was your Branch of Service?
Air Force
Why did you become a social worker? What do you like about working in homeless programs?
I became a social worker to help Veterans in need of services. After my discharge from military service, I was not privy to the VA nor benefits afforded to me. It took a VA social worker to help me get established with the VA system, which has made a tremendous impact on my life.
I love working with homeless Veterans because I can positively impact their lives in many different aspects. From housing to connecting them with a plethora of VA services and benefits. For me, it started with the HCHV Program. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve.
The time is right because social workers are needed on the front lines to help our Vets address their daily problems, which are often compounded with physical/emotional traumas related to the Pandemic. I love being on the front lines to help Veterans overcome any psychosocial difficulties.
What else would you like to share about yourself?
I'm a sports fanatic. I love watching and attending football, basketball, and boxing events. I love reading books and listening to music (hip hop, pop, old school soul/R & B, 80s rock, funk, disco, and jazz).
“The world meets nobody halfway. If you want something, you gotta take it.” — Sylvester Stallone
