Jack Landreville was destined to become a social worker.
He grew up in an economically disadvantaged part of town in Ottawa, Ontario and spent those formative years wanting to help his friends and neighbours.
“It was actually a good place for someone to see social difficulties and see the good people who were trapped in those difficulties,” he says.
“I thought I would get the education and training I needed to help people, like the people who were my neighbours when I was growing up.”
So, when it was time to decide on a career path, Jack chose social work which suited his affinity for in-person interactions.
“I’ve always been attracted to the social part of the social worker; to be able to engage with people one-on-one, to be really part of the community, and be able to be on the frontlines,” he says. “I am always looking for ways to help people that involves that kind of direct contact.”
Landreville achieved that goal, becoming a social worker in 1992 after completing a Master of Social Work from Carleton University. His first job as an inpatient social worker was at the Nova Scotia Hospital.
Since then, he has served as a social worker for children and adolescents within the IWK Health Mental Health and Addictions Program, as well as the Nova Scotia Health Mental Health and Addictions Program in forensic services.
“I was really interested in exploring what social work could do in mental health and addictions,” he says.
He’s now working in community mental health at the outpatient clinic in Dartmouth.
Landreville has spent 23 of his 33 year-career working in community mental health and addictions.
“I really enjoyed the forensic work, but I felt as if I wanted to get back closer to the community, and the Dartmouth clinic provided that opportunity,” he says, noting that he enjoys working with his colleagues as much as he does his patients.
“Right now, I’m working with people who are the age I was when I started out,” he adds. “I learn a lot from them, and I think the future of the program I’m working in, based on my experience of all the wonderful people I work with in Dartmouth, is really bright.”
Landreville encourages anyone on the fence to seriously consider social work as a rewarding career where you can have a real impact on the quality of life for people.
“It may sound strange to say this, but it’s very difficult work, and it can be heartbreaking work. You’re exposed to the difficulty of people’s lives and the tragedies they experience, but I found a lot of joy in the work,” he says. “It’s what kept me going and it’s keeping me going. The people who are struggling are so courageous and resilient and if you can gain their trust and work with them, you’re helping them, but they’re also very inspirational.”
While he isn’t finished yet, Jack has been reflecting on his career, especially since learning he will receive the 2025 Distinguished Service award from the Canadian Association of Social Workers, for his work in Nova Scotia.
“To have the respect and the recognition from your peers is so valuable. You don’t work for the accolades, but the best accolades are the trust and respect of your colleagues.”
For Jack Landreville, this is what the award signifies.
Photo of Jack Landreville at Ford Needham Memorial Park in Halifax.
