Open To Work
Fayona Smith
Cold Lake,Canada
Work Preference
Summary
Seeking a challenging and professional position within your team where I am able to support the marginalized population in achieving their goals
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Casual Frontline, 2nd Floor Woman Recovery
Lakeland Centre for FASD
06.2023 - 01.2025
- Assisted clients in developing personalized recovery plans, enhancing goal-setting and motivation.
- Coordinated with healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care for clients' needs.
- Monitored client progress, documenting changes and communicating effectively with the support team.
- Implemented coping strategies and life skills training to improve daily functioning of clients.
- Maintained detailed case notes and documentation, ensuring accurate records for each client''s history and progress within the program.
- Assisted clients in identifying personal goals for recovery and developing actionable plans to achieve them.
- Evaluated individual strengths and challenges to identify appropriate interventions best suited for each client''s unique situation, maximizing the likelihood of recovery success.
Mothers to be Mentor
Lakeland Centre for FASD
02.2023 - 01.2025
- Assisted in housing adults and youth who are experiencing chronic homelessness, anchoring them in their community, and establishing a sense of belonging through assertive and intensive housing first case management.
- Provided assessment, crisis intervention, and housing stability support services to individuals in the city of London on a regular outreach basis.
- Worked directly with program participants to support the establishment of their personal goals, with focus on accessing safe, secure housing and remaining stably housed.
- Connected clients to community services to support long-term housing goals.
- Advocated on behalf of participants and liaised with other services (i.e. emergency shelters, community organizations, health care services, income supports, as well as the legal system) to coordinate care for individuals.
- Worked collaboratively with other team members and community partners to complete administrative functions for the program.
- Developed individualized mentorship plans to support clients with FASD in achieving personal goals.
- Facilitated educational workshops to enhance understanding of FASD among community stakeholders.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to integrate best practices into client care strategies.
- Advocated for policy improvements related to FASD awareness and prevention initiatives within the community.
- Served as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and dedication within the mentorship program environment.
- Monitored mentee performance consistently, identifying areas of improvement and adjusting mentorship approaches accordingly.
Relief – Frontline Support Worker
Unity Project
09.2022 - 02.2023
- Assisted in housing adults and youth who are experiencing chronic homelessness, anchoring them in their community, and establishing a sense of belonging through assertive and intensive housing first case management.
- Provided assessment, crisis intervention, and housing stability support services to individuals in the city of London on a regular outreach basis.
- Worked directly with program participants to support the establishment of their personal goals, with focus on accessing safe, secure housing and remaining stably housed.
- Connected clients to community services to support long-term housing goals.
- Advocated on behalf of participants and liaised with other services (i.e. emergency shelters, community organizations, health care services, income supports, as well as the legal system) to coordinate care for individuals.
- Worked collaboratively with other team members and community partners to complete administrative functions for the program.
FT Housing Stability Worker - Project Home
St. Leonard’s Community Services London & Region
04.2022 - 02.2023
- Assisted in housing adults and youth who are experiencing chronic homelessness, anchoring them in their community, and establishing a sense of belonging through assertive and intensive housing first case management.
- Provided assessment, crisis intervention, and housing stability support services to individuals in the city of London on a regular outreach basis.
- Worked directly with program participants to support the establishment of their personal goals, with focus on accessing safe, secure housing and remaining stably housed.
- Connected clients to community services to support long-term housing goals.
- Advocated on behalf of participants and liaised with other services (i.e. emergency shelters, community organizations, health care services, income supports, as well as the legal system) to coordinate care for individuals.
- Worked collaboratively with other team members and community partners to complete administrative functions for the program.
Community Health Worker
South Riverdale Community Health Centre
01.2021 - 05.2022
- Provide referrals to health, social, legal and other relevant services to People who use Drugs (PUD) in shelter hotels and work to ensure clients are integrated into the appropriate services both within CHCs and the wider community as required
- Follow established safety protocols during fieldwork, including needle distribution and collection, team communication, crisis prevention and de-escalation
- Provide crisis response and support team-based case management, as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Provide overdose prevention education and supports to clients at various sheltering locations
- Educate clients regarding overdose prevention and management, including the use and administration of naloxone where appropriate.
- Provide harm reduction education, supplies and supports to clients
Shelter Worker
Osborne Recruitment (Homes First)
01.2020 - 10.2021
- Provide support and assistance to clients facing issues in poverty, addictions, abuse, and mental health.
- Work with a team to ensure a safe and secure environment for all.
- Assess and support client needs on a case-by-case basis, whether resolving a conflict, de-escalating issues, or assigning supplies, this role will require an active multi-tasker who is able to think on their feet.
Harm Reduction Worker
The Neighborhood Group
01.2020 - 08.2021
- Provide overdose prevention support in the OPS site and the surrounding area, including overdose reversal, as well as education and support to enable people to be able to reduce their risk of overdose.
- Work with homeless and at-risk individuals requiring harm reduction support and education, acting as a point of contact for resources, information, and referrals.
- Work with other organizations and individuals to develop community-based harm reduction programming to meet the specific needs of people who are homeless, socially isolated and living in poverty.
- Apply reasonable boundaries and limits to reduce risk and ensure safety of all.
- Understanding of Anti-oppression principles and ability to work effectively with people of various cultural and economic backgrounds.
Community Support Worker
Safe Staffing Agency
01.2020 - 07.2021
- Support clients living in our housing or shelters who face challenges with mental health, addictions, abuse, and social isolation.
- Support with basic life management skills, accessing resources for health and well-being, assertive communication, goal setting, giving and conflict resolution, problem-solving
- Support the client in the day-to-day operations of the assigned facility.
- Maintain professionalism and follow the policies and procedures set out by the employer.
- Communicate any concerns to the organization immediately.
Education
Community & Justice Services, Indigenous Studies
Centennial College
Toronto, ON01.2018
Skills
- 4 years of work experience within a Community Work environment
- Demonstrated experience performing assessment, advocacy, referral and case management functions and ability to effectively prioritize work in a fast-paced environment
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office and solid keyboarding skills as well as attention to details and a high degree of accuracy in record keeping
- Ability to recognize and understand situations that require excellent conflict resolution skills and use strategies to resolve, de-escalate and minimize the effects of said conflict
- Ability to work as team member in a non-judgemental way towards a common goal
- Ability to analyse information, interpret policy and provide immediate crisis intervention services to de-escalate and resolve conflict
- Ability to determine eligible applicants for the program and also being able to connect clients to relevant community resources by making referrals
- Proactive in following applicable policies and program legislation
- Working from a harm reduction and anti-oppressive model
- Excellent communication skills and able to work well with persons with significant communication challenges and barriers
- Strong Interpersonal skills and an ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to provide quality service to clients who have varying levels of needs and abilities
- Dealing with housing and program-related issues such as behaviour, personal habits, social isolation
- Resourceful team player and innovative problem-solver demonstrated by generating workable solutions and effectively resolving complaints within employment settings
- Able to work in a stressful environment, with clients who have complex communication needs, challenging behaviours, mental health, substance use, and hygiene by encouraging, assisting, and supporting participants
Certification
- Smart Serve
- Standard CPR & First Aid Level
- Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI)
- Food Handlers Certificate
- Overdose Prevention & Resuscitation (OPR)
- Trauma Informed Care
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Casual Frontline, 2nd Floor Woman Recovery
Lakeland Centre for FASD
06.2023 - 01.2025
Mothers to be Mentor
Lakeland Centre for FASD
02.2023 - 01.2025
Relief – Frontline Support Worker
Unity Project
09.2022 - 02.2023
FT Housing Stability Worker - Project Home
St. Leonard’s Community Services London & Region
04.2022 - 02.2023
Community Health Worker
South Riverdale Community Health Centre
01.2021 - 05.2022
Shelter Worker
Osborne Recruitment (Homes First)
01.2020 - 10.2021
Harm Reduction Worker
The Neighborhood Group
01.2020 - 08.2021
Community Support Worker
Safe Staffing Agency
01.2020 - 07.2021
Community & Justice Services, Indigenous Studies
Centennial College