Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Gonzaga Njakko

Brampton

Summary

Dedicated social services provider with a passion for evaluating and implementing innovative solutions to enhance individuals' lives. Known for enthusiastic customer service and personalizing support to meet unique client needs. Strategic thinker driving positive outcomes and fostering continuous improvement culture. Thrives on innovating in the field to make a meaningful impact in those served.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Outreach Worker Volunteer/supervisor

Knights of Columbus
02.2020 - Current

Behavioural support specialist

Safe Management Group
03.2019 - Current

Child and Youth Worker

MindShift Academy
02.2019 - 03.2025
  • Provided key emotional support to special needs youth.
  • Enhanced youth development by implementing engaging and age-appropriate programs.
  • Implemented behavior modification strategies to address challenging behaviors exhibited by young clients.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for children and adolescents.
  • Contributed positively towards team collaborations by engaging in regular meetings and sharing insights, enhancing team cohesion.
  • Organized group activities to promote social skills development among youth participants in a fun yet structured environment.
  • Advocated for client needs within various systems, such as schools, courts, and social service agencies.
  • Promoted positive behavior change in young clients by utilizing evidence-based therapeutic techniques.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current with trends, theories, and best practices within the field of child and youth work.
  • Provided supervision to junior staff members, offering mentorship and guidance on best practices for working with children and teenagers.

Relief Shelter Support Worker

Christie Ossington NS
03.2017 - 11.2023
  • Built rapport with clients who shared their substance use concerns, needs and other issues with me for support
  • Monitored shelter residents to prevent drug overdose emergencies
  • Administered naloxone, first aid, called in medical support to shelter residents as incidents arose.
  • Supported self-isolation of client in accordance with provincial public health guidelines, providing meals, protocol adherent access to daily hygiene supplies and other needs
  • Monitored and reminded individual residents to take their prescriptions as issued by medics
  • Gathered client data, assessed it, and established their suitability for shelter services
  • Undertook value judgment and recommended policy and protocol-based client action plans to meet their needs according to physical and mental function, assessed socioeconomic needs
  • Worked with other staff, supervisors, and agencies to coordinate referral for specific social services, programs and support
  • Ensured holistic case management for client needs cognizant of physical, socio, economic, financial, and other needs working with other key service providers to the clients
  • Advocated for increase in frequency, amount and type of services offered to clients premised on observed trends, expressed needs and availability at residence.
  • Verified client information from their points of referral, different service providers, community agencies, healthcare providers.
  • Responded to crisis situations of clients by assessing each situation and implemented appropriate solutions that maximized client safety, listening, calling in emergency support and others
  • Undertook comprehensive case documentation of client information from intake to discharge using designated information management systems, technology and ensured it was up to date
  • Provided responses to inquiries from the public and other service providers as per policy
  • Ensured protection of client information, identity and all service data for confidentiality and privacy as designated in existing policies and protocols on information handling
  • Participated and contributed client service plans, incidents, needs and program emerging issues as part of case management at residences
  • Update supervisors and leads on challenges of work, client issues and other incidents as they arose and trended in relation to the support provided to clients
  • Operated office equipment like phones, radio calls, computers for communication at residences
  • Transported clients to appointments, shopping venues and entertainment events according to determined schedule.
  • Developed strong rapport with clients by consistently demonstrating respect, understanding, and genuine concern for their wellbeing.
  • Safeguarded client well-being by monitoring health conditions, administering medications, and reporting any changes to appropriate medical professionals.
  • Promoted independence among clients through skill-building exercises and goal-setting initiatives.
  • Provided crisis intervention services when necessary, effectively de-escalating challenging situations while maintaining client safety.
  • Promoted community integration by providing extensive physical, emotional and social support.
  • Assisted clients in accessing available resources such as housing options, financial supports, and healthcare services.
  • Facilitated community integration for clients by organizing social outings, recreational activities, and educational opportunities.

Crisis Intervention Specialist

Genesis Support Services
04.2020 - 05.2023
  • Delivered emotional assistance to clients, facilitating their ability to manage difficult circumstances.
  • Supported families in understanding their loved ones'' needs during times of crisis, promoting better engagement in the healing process.
  • Maintained accurate records and documentation in compliance with regulatory requirements, ensuring seamless service delivery.
  • Developed strong rapport with clients, establishing trust and fostering open communication channels.
  • Mentored new team members on best practices within the field of crisis intervention, enhancing their skills and knowledge base.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive support for clients during crisis situations.
  • Member of on-call emergency response team for crisis intervention within facility.
  • Reduced crisis response time by implementing streamlined communication protocols between team members.
  • Continuously updated personal knowledge of industry trends and best practices by attending professional development events, conferences, and workshops.
  • Prevented potential crises by proactively identifying triggers and risk factors in clients'' lives.
  • Assisted in the development of organizational policies and procedures related to crisis intervention services, contributing to high-quality care provision standards.
  • Served as a liaison between clients and other service providers, coordinating care plans efficiently.
  • Evaluated intervention effectiveness by tracking outcomes and adjusting strategies as needed, leading to more successful resolutions over time.
  • Promoted self-care among colleagues by organizing workshops focused on stress management techniques applicable within professional settings.
  • Established partnerships with local organizations that resulted in increased referral networks for clients requiring additional support services.
  • Built safety plans to lower risk of crisis and intervened in specific manners outlined by procedures.
  • Documented risk to each client and context of concerns.

Education

Bachelor of Social Work and Administration -

Ndejje University
01.2015

Skills

  • Communication
  • Customer Service
  • Case Management
  • Client Advocacy
  • Community Resources
  • Client Service Planning
  • Needs Assessment
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Data & Information Management
  • Counseling
  • Reporting & Documentation
  • MS Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Administration

Languages

English
Full Professional
Luganda
Full Professional

Certification

  • Toronto Shelter Standards, Toronto Hostels Training Centre, 01/01/24
  • Diffusing Hostility, Toronto Hostel Training Centre, 01/01/24
  • Youth, Mental Health, and Addictions, Toronto Hostel Training Centre, 01/02/25
  • Trans Inclusion Training, Toronto Hostels Training Centre, 01/03/25
  • Conflict Resolution & Negotiation Skills, Toronto Hostels Training Centre, 01/0425
  • Substance Use, Toronto Hostel Training Centre, 01/01/24
  • Ethical Boundaries, Toronto Hostel Training Centre, 01/01/25
  • Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression, Toronto Hostels Training Centre, 01/02/25
  • Workplace Health and Safety 4 Steps, Ministry of Labor, 01/01/25
  • Case Management, Toronto Hostel Training Centre, 01/01/25
  • First Aid and CPR Certificate Level C, Red Cross Canada, 20/01/25
  • WHMIS, Ontario Safety Compliance Institute, 22/01/25
  • Extensive Naloxone Training, Fred Victor, 23/02/25
  • Integrated Accessibility Standards Training, 01/01/22
  • Information/Communication and Employment Standards Training, 01/01/20
  • AODA Comprehensive Customer Service Training, 01/01/25
  • Workplace Violence and Harassment Training for Employees, 01/01/23
  • Hospice Training for Children’s Volunteers Program, 01/01/25
  • Community Hospice Volunteer Training Program, 01/01/23
  • CPI, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention 2nd Edition, 27/03/25
  • Overdose Prevention, Recognition and Response Training, 15/03/25

Timeline

Crisis Intervention Specialist

Genesis Support Services
04.2020 - 05.2023

Outreach Worker Volunteer/supervisor

Knights of Columbus
02.2020 - Current

Behavioural support specialist

Safe Management Group
03.2019 - Current

Child and Youth Worker

MindShift Academy
02.2019 - 03.2025

Relief Shelter Support Worker

Christie Ossington NS
03.2017 - 11.2023

Bachelor of Social Work and Administration -

Ndejje University

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