Tara McTeer
Hamilton,ON
Summary
Dedicated and culturally competent individual seeking a position as a Peer Support Worker, leveraging expertise in harm reduction, crisis intervention, and advocacy to provide comprehensive support and resources to individuals accessing services. Committed to promoting social justice, maintaining accurate data, and fostering collaboration within interdisciplinary teams while adhering to anti-oppression frameworks and ensuring culturally safe practices.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Street Outreach Worker
The Working Centre
03.2010 - 08.2015
- Offered frontline support to individuals facing or at risk of homelessness
- Accompanied clients to appointments and provided referrals for various services
- Managed hostile interactions with non-violent communication and de-escalation techniques
- Employed creativity, flexibility, and assertiveness in problem-solving complex issues
- Demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills with diverse clientele and stakeholders.
- Maintained a high level of cultural competence when working with diverse client populations, fostering an inclusive environment built on mutual respect and understanding.
- Implemented harm reduction strategies when working with clients engaged in high-risk behaviors, prioritizing safety without judgment or stigma attached.
- Provided crisis intervention services when needed, effectively deescalating tense situations and ensuring client safety.
Harm Reduction Outreach Worker
Sanguen Health Centre
03.2009 - 08.2014
- Established rapport with diverse clientele, including those facing significant health challenges
- Committed to social justice and harm reduction, with expertise in various health promotion approaches
- Proficient in overdose intervention, Naloxone administration, and knowledgeable about infectious diseases
- Engaged effectively with marginalized populations, distributing harm reduction supplies and promoting health education
- Built rapport with diverse clients, including those with health challenges
- Dedicated to social justice, harm reduction, and public health
- Proficient in overdose intervention, Naloxone administration, and infectious diseases
- Engaged with marginalized communities, distributing supplies and promoting health education.
Peer Health Worker
YWCA Mary’s Place
11.2009 - 11.2011
- Applied trauma-informed care to address women's issues including gender-based violence, mental health, homelessness, and addiction
- Utilized feminist analysis, anti-oppression framework and experiential sharing for advocacy and support services
- Provided support including advocacy, resource connection, community building, and skill development
- Facilitated access to social services, legal aid, medical care, housing, and immediate necessities while completing administrative tasks and maintaining safety protocols.
- Supported homeless individuals transitioning into housing by connecting them with necessary supplies, furniture donations, and move-in assistance resources.
- Advocated on behalf of clients experiencing discrimination or other obstacles preventing them from accessing vital services.
- Assisted clients in obtaining necessary documentation such as identification cards or birth certificates to aid in their job search or housing applications process.
Education
Bachelor of Arts -
Lakehead University
Thunder Bay, ON07.2026
Diploma, General Arts and Science -
Niagara College
Niagara Falls, ON05.2023
Certificate, Career Pathways -
Mohawk College
Hamilton, ON05.2023
Certificate, General Arts and Science -
Cambrian College
Sudbury, ON05.2022
Skills
- Peer Support & Advocacy: Providing support, resources, and advocacy
- Harm Reduction & Crisis Intervention: Implementing harm reduction and crisis intervention approaches
- Data Management & Evaluation: Maintaining accurate records and participating in evaluation processes
- Cultural Competence & Community Engagement: Working within culturally safe frameworks and navigating community resources
- Team Collaboration & Communication: Collaborating effectively within interdisciplinary teams and communicating with clients
- Technical Proficiency & Knowledge Base: Proficiency in office tools and strong knowledge of substance misuse and mental health issues
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
- Community Resource Navigation
- Compassionate approach
Certification
- York University Certificate in Harm Reduction
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training
- Mental Health First Aid
- Opioid Poisoning Response Training
- Red Cross Preventing Disease Transmission
- SafeTALK/Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
- Understanding Stigma (CAMH)
- Wound Care Workshop for Non-Clinicians
- Mental Health and Resiliency Micro credential, Conestoga College (online)
- Human Trafficking and intersectionality (Durham College online)
References
References available upon request.
Community Service
- Preventing Overdose Waterloo Wellington (POWW) 2009-2014
- Sex Workers Action Network (Waterloo) (SWAN) 2009-2015
- Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy (WRIDS) 2009-2015
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Street Outreach Worker
The Working Centre
03.2010 - 08.2015
Peer Health Worker
YWCA Mary’s Place
11.2009 - 11.2011
Harm Reduction Outreach Worker
Sanguen Health Centre
03.2009 - 08.2014
Bachelor of Arts -
Lakehead University
Diploma, General Arts and Science -
Niagara College
Certificate, Career Pathways -
Mohawk College
Certificate, General Arts and Science -
Cambrian College
- York University Certificate in Harm Reduction
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training
- Mental Health First Aid
- Opioid Poisoning Response Training
- Red Cross Preventing Disease Transmission
- SafeTALK/Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
- Understanding Stigma (CAMH)
- Wound Care Workshop for Non-Clinicians
- Mental Health and Resiliency Micro credential, Conestoga College (online)
- Human Trafficking and intersectionality (Durham College online)
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