Mic Check – Jamaican Fathers Raising A Jacket, A Child That’s Not Theirs, Psychotherapist George O’Gilvie And A Father Dexter Blake.

Mr. Vassell “George” O’Gilvie BSW MSW LCSW-R PC is the founder and CEO of Hudson Valley Dynamic Counseling (HVDC) located at 224 Church Street Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. The mission of HVDC is to provide mental health counseling/ psychotherapy to individuals and families in need of services for emotional and psychological issues, stress, trauma, depression, anxiety disorders, anger management, grief and domestic abuse. The ultimate goal of Hudson Valley Dynamic Counseling (HVDC) is to empower individuals and families to sustain healthy relationships so they can have complete control over their lives. Equally important, Vassell O’Gilvie is the President and CEO of DJT Promotional Group Inc.

DJT’s mission is to provide production services to artists (reggae) that are culturally sensitive to the plight of children and women in the Diaspora. In 2013 DJT collaborated with two other entities, Global Harmony from England and Sunlight Production from Poughkeepsie NY, to host a Fundraiser concert in Jamaica, West Indies in support of educating the population on the effects of domestic violence on the family.  The Fundraiser also provided necessary medical supplies to five hospitals in Jamaica. Vassell O’Gilvie is also a board member of the Relationship Empowerment Affirmation Leadership Skills Network Inc (R.E.A.L) located in Poughkeepsie NY. R.E.A.L Skills serve as a non-profit organization working with inner city youth to provide tutoring services for children ranging from elementary to high school and counseling to high school children in college readiness.  The program is currently serving over 150 youths in the Poughkeepsie, NY area and continues to grow in numbers.

Areas of Expertise
Vassell O’Gilvie has over 25 years of experience in the field of social work covering a wide spectrum of skills and expertise, which includes program administration, leadership, team building, conflict resolution, Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT), psycho-education, and stress/anger management. Vassell also has expertise in child welfare as he worked in the past as a Supervisor and Director of Foster Cares services in various child welfare agencies. George is also a Seminar field instructor for Fordham University.

Credentials
Vassell O’Gilvie received his education and clinical training in Canada and the United States. Vassell received his Associate Degree in social science from Dawson College Montréal, Canada. He then went on to study social work at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada where he served as student Council President earning his Bachelor Degree in social work. He migrated to the United States and continued his education in social work.  He went on to get his Masters Degree in social work from Fordham University majoring in both clinical and administration. Additionally, on March 12, 2004, Vassell received his Psychotherapy license from the NYS State Education Department upon completion of the necessary requirements for licensed practitioners. Equally important, Vassell is a provider for the (OASAS) Office of Alcoholism Substance Abuse Services through New York State.

Professional affiliations

Membership with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).  Council for Affordable Quality Health Care (CAQH).  Member of the National Organization of Forensic Social Work. NAACP member local chapter and the Dutchess County Regional Chambers of Commerce.

Personal memoir
Vassell O’Gilvie is married to Dr. Audrey Graham-O’Gilvie, associate chief of education at the VA and a professor of nursing at Marymount College. He has two daughters Jamila a CPA and Aisha O’Gilvie a speech pathologist.

DJ Linkage, the man with the voice of a million, ‘yes indeed’ is now a household brand. He is widely requested at events and parties, definitely not as a dancer but as Dexter ‘Linkage’ Blake surely has the Midas touch. Everything he does is golden if not magical. From his earlier days as a drummer, to forming his own Linkage Band, to CEO of Linkage Radio, to being the owner of Linkage restaurant – the list goes on and on- this young man has been shining. And what else glitters more than his genuine smile and is more memorable than that infectious laugh.

Born in Waltham Park, Kingston, Jamaica and grew up in Aenon Town , St. Ann, Dexter Blake has always had an ear for music. By the time Dexter finished Aenon Town All Age School and graduated from Haile Selassie Secondary, he was fast becoming a mainstream drummer playing for the likes of Tristan Palmer and Sugar Minott. After his brief employment with the Jamaica Police force Dexter migrated to New York in 1988. And thus began a new chapter in his life.

DJ Linkage, the man with the voice of a million, ‘yes indeed’ is now a household brand. He is widely requested at events and parties, definitely not as a dancer but as the talented mixer of music. When this young and savvy entrepreneur is not jet setting to and from Jamaica, he is on the radio and on the world-wide web http://www.linkageradio.com/ doing what he does best -entertaining. You can hear Linkage on Mondays 10am to 12pm, Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm,Thursdays 12:30pm to 4pm and on Fridays 10am to 3pm.

“Linkage radio is a place where classical and clean music can be heard. It is a place where DJs are not rude but are very interactive with listeners and fans. It is a family oriented station where everyone and anyone can come and have pure fun” says Linkage.

And what is the future for Linkage Radio? It can only get bigger and better. It is true, better and wonderful things are happening at Linkage radio so don’t dare touch that dial and better yet log on to www.linkageradio.com where you can hear your favorite DJ. Yes indeed. The talented mixer of music. When this young and savvy entrepreneur is not jet setting to and from Jamaica, he is on the radio and on the world-wide web http://www.linkageradio.com/ doing what he does best -entertaining. You can hear Linkage on Mondays 10am to 12pm, Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm,Thursdays 12:30pm to 4pm and on Fridays 10am to 3pm.

“Linkage radio is a place where classical and clean music can be heard. It is a place where DJs are not rude but are very interactive with listeners and fans. It is a family oriented station where everyone and anyone can come and have pure fun” says Linkage.

And what is the future for Linkage Radio? It can only get bigger and better. It is true, better and wonderful things are happening at Linkage radio so don’t dare touch that dial and better yet log on to www.linkageradio.com where you can hear your favorite DJ. Yes indeed.