KELLI VANCE
CALGARY,Canada
Summary
Compassionate mental health and addictions worker, dedicated to serving the homeless population. Strive to reduce barriers, connect vulnerable people to appropriate support.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Emergency Shelter Worker
Calgary Drop In Centre
01.2022 - Current
- Acting Supervisor role, respond to medical emergencies, maintain proper PPE, ensure safety for staff and clients.
- Help clients navigate shelter services: health, food, clothing, hygiene, laundry, and emergency beds, perform routine wellness checks, and bag searches.
- Deliver trauma inform support, model empathy, document and log progress and interactions.
- Engage clients in meaningful conversations, housing first, harm reduction, inclusion, and meaningful activity.
- Help clients with daily reminders, defuse volatile situations, and respond to medical emergencies.
- Create safe and positive situations for clients by communicating with other staff about concerns or challenges.
Security Officer
Calgary Drop In Centre
07.2018 - 12.2021
- Observe, Deter, Report all suspicious activity to coordinator/supervisor(s) on duty. Operate CCTV cameras, observe, document, and update supervisor(s) and coordinator regularly, and document all interactions with EMS/CPS.
- Communicate effectively with CPS, EMS, and CTS. Update and report, follow – fire, safety, evacuations and protocols.
- Maintain code of conduct, and deliver a non-biased, trauma-informed approach.
- Assign radios, access cards, and keys to staff, volunteers, contractors, update audits and key logs daily. Followed established security and safety procedures and posted orders to include enforcement of agency rules, policies, and regulations.
Resident Support Worker, Case Worker
The Mustard Seed, The Calgary Dream Centre
02.2014 - 05.2018
- Maintained a case load of approx. 30-35 clients living in supportive housing, meeting with individuals once a week to discuss goals, addiction, housing, education, budgeting, and employment plans.
- Facilitated SMART Recovery class weekly, and organized holiday events.
- Met with clients to conduct needs assessments, recommending appropriate support and service offerings.
- Worked in collaboration with other agencies, AHS, Alberta Works, AISH, Aids to daily living, Money Mentors, the Alex, and other local agencies.
Case Manager
The Calgary Dream Centre
09.2011 - 12.2013
- Maintained a caseload of approx. 40 adult men residing in a faith-based recovery program.
- Participated in a structured program, kept detailed logs, met with individuals once a week, encouraged sobriety and goal planning, and prepared clients for transitioning to community housing.
- Attended Calgary Drug Treatment Court to support clients required to attend the program once a week.
- Worked in collaboration with other agencies, AHS, Alberta Works, AISH, Aids to daily living, etc.
- Participated in regular team meetings and in-house training sessions to prepare clients for community living.
- Prepared reports and up-to-date records for Calgary Homeless Foundation.
Education
Certification - Working with the Homeless Population
University of Calgary
Calgary, ABCertificate - Addiction Studies
Mount Royal University
Calgary, ABSkills
- Trauma-Informed, energetic and self-directed
- Respect for housing first, harm reduction, and sobriety, empathetic, compassionate, client driven, client focused, support stabilization, and permanent housing
- Maintain composure, resiliency, strong boundaries
- Valid Class 5 driver's license and good drivers abstract
- First aid and safety awareness, naloxone trained, can multitask and handle stressful situations
- Responsible for client documentation, reporting, and collaborating with teams and other agencies
Languages
English
Professional Working
Timeline
Emergency Shelter Worker
Calgary Drop In Centre
01.2022 - Current
Security Officer
Calgary Drop In Centre
07.2018 - 12.2021
Resident Support Worker, Case Worker
The Mustard Seed, The Calgary Dream Centre
02.2014 - 05.2018
Case Manager
The Calgary Dream Centre
09.2011 - 12.2013
Certificate - Addiction Studies
Mount Royal University
Certification - Working with the Homeless Population
University of Calgary