Pillar Search & HR Consulting and Building Futures are proud to announce, following an extensive and competitive candidate search, that Nick Ferro, LICSW, QMHP has joined Building Futures as Social Services Director.

As Social Services Director, Nick will lead, implement, and develop social services at Building Futures for current participants and alumni and establish a robust network of external partnerships to provide services not offered directly. Approximately 100 to 150 individuals per year will be engaged at various stages of the different program interventions. Social services are provided to under-resourced program participants, all of whom are experiencing poverty and other significant employment barriers, to ensure successful completion of Building Futures’ program(s) and gain family-sustaining careers, primarily in union construction occupations.  Additionally, Nick will plan, implement, and manage a new partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC), called Bridge to Opportunity (BTO), which will create a formalized reentry pathway to careers in construction for currently incarcerated individuals. With a dual focus on programmatic and participant supports, he will develop new organizational partnerships, provide pre- and post-release case management services, and oversee the development and implementation of the pre-release training program.

Nick brings an impressive background to Social Services Director role. He joins Building Futures from the Rhode Island Department of Corrections where he has worked as a Clinical Social Worker for 6 years, and Envision Behavioral Health, where he has been an owner/operator for two years. Nick’s work experience also includes roles with Open Doors Rhode Island, Lifespan Hospitals, and Child and Family Services of Newport County. Nick earned his Master of Social Work from Rhode Island College School of Social Work and his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island.

About Building Futures: The mission of Building Futures, a nonprofit based in Providence, RI, is to meet employer and industry need for skilled workers through the Registered Apprenticeship system while creating family-sustaining career opportunities for low-income, diverse residents. Learn more about Building Futures here.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.