Khaleah Simmonds
Toronto,ON
Summary
An independent, empathetic, and self-motivated child and youth care graduate with proven and tested communication, advocacy, and management skills; who is passionate about providing meaningful support and services to clients. Excellent communicator bringing over ten years of comprehensive experience developing and implementing core programs to meet needs for self-development, homelessness, and substance use. Creativity and understanding are professionally commended for modelling and teaching life skills and promoting diversity by exposing clients to multicultural experiences.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Life Skills Specialist
Youth Without Shelter
2020.02 - Current
- Modeled positive behavior skills as well as good problem-solving and relationship-building abilities to improve clients' social integration.
- Helped clients to identify challenges and set goals.
- Customized strategies based on individuals' goals and strengths and offered each positive reinforcement to continue progress against goals.
- Provided insight and ideas to promote client growth.
- Helped to integrate clients in local community by teaching important social and work-related skills.
- Taught individuals with learning or physical difficulties to use technology such as computers, tablets and mobile phones.
- Assisted with personal care appointments such as haircuts and doctors' appointments.
- Facilitated outreach activities to build community awareness.
- Promoted proper sanitation by training on important cleaning tasks in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Supported people with developmental disabilities and autism in building multi-faceted skillset to promote independence and self-confidence.
Case Worker
Elizabeth Fry
2023.01 - Current
- Maintained high level of client confidentiality, following strict guidelines, and recommendations.
- Assessed needs of each client and recommended appropriate services and resources.
- Assisted clients in developing and setting realistic goals to promote positive change.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with community resources for successful referrals.
- Provided key emotional support to special needs youth.
- Provided guidance and advice to youth, supporting navigation of diverse personal and social issues.
- Supervised youth in residential and community-based programs to minimize risks and offer support.
Frontline Case Manager
Youth Without Shelter
2016.01 - 2020.02
- Plan and execute life-skills workshops based on client needs
- Provide direct, quality care and supervision to the residents, as well as day to day operations
- Works to ensure youth in the shelter system have optimal outcomes by providing intense case management and programming
- Demonstrate strong understanding of the high-need, complex youth population, their needs and appropriate responses
- Demonstrate strong administrative skills including data management, report writing, and tracking associated with the day-to-day operation of shelter
- Provide trauma informed, support and guidance to children, youth and young adults who are experiencing emotional and /or behavioral difficulties which impact their ability to function.
- Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.
Summer Camp Coordinator
Albion Neighbourhood Services
2017.01 - 2019.06
- Promoted camp across the GTA , skillfully coordinating social media, print ads and website content.
- Maintained fun, learning-focused atmosphere by smoothly handling conflicts and developing culture centered around collaboration and personal responsibility.
- Offered campers compassionate support for personal and social issues, helping each develop positive skills for dealing with interpersonal conflicts.
- Oversaw team of counselors and support team members.
Page
Toronto Public Library
2011.01 - 2019.01
- Manage the customer service functions, including cash, cashiers and merchandising
- Provide direct assistance to patrons in the location of books and/or other services in the library
- Alphabetize and/or numerically order books within appropriate collections
- Guide and direct patrons throughout the facility
- Use library systems and specialist computer applications
- Ensure that library services meet the needs of particular groups of users.
Lead Staff
Albion Neighborhood Services
2010.01 - 2016.01
- Assembled the coordination, operation and support of program area schedules ensuring their effective and cohesive operation on a day-to-day-basis
- Executed the training, support and supervision of all staff and volunteers, establishing an environment to insure all employees stayed on the same page
- Ensured the maintenance of accurate program and administrative records
- Demonstrated the knowledge, understanding, and execution of all camp policies and emergency procedures associated with the camp
- Lead in parent communication and addressed parent concerns in a timely manner and sought the assistance of the Camp Program Director when necessary
- Ascertained the various administrative tasks necessary for camp to run efficiently that are completed satisfactorily in a timely manner.
Education
Child and Youth Care Diploma -
George Brown College
Toronto, ONSociology & Social Anthropology -
Dalhousie University
Halifax, NSSkills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Operate using an Anti-Black Racism lens
- Implementation of life skills-based programming
- Strong problem solving, conflict resolution
- Knowledge of the resources in the community for individuals, youth and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness poverty, LBGTQ+ youth, substance use
- Ability to work in fast-paced environments without supervision
- Experience in case management, intake assessment and bed management
- Familiarity with suicide/risk assessment and crisis support services
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills in training and leading colleagues
- Strong organizational ability and detail oriented demonstrated by completing administration tasks
- Strong technical skills with proficiency in MS Office, SMIS, HTML
- Stress Management
- Self-Awareness
- Personal Hygiene
- Critical Thinking
- Troubleshooting
Certification
- Certified in Emergency First Aid/CPR
- Completion of quest 1, quest 2 and principles of healthy child development certifications, with training in student engagement and program inclusivity from High Five
- Certified in Grants Ontario, with training in application process of funds and record keeping of participants in program
- Certified in customer service training and WHMIS training
- Certified UMAB
- Food Handlers
Timeline
Case Worker
Elizabeth Fry
2023.01 - Current
Life Skills Specialist
Youth Without Shelter
2020.02 - Current
Summer Camp Coordinator
Albion Neighbourhood Services
2017.01 - 2019.06
Frontline Case Manager
Youth Without Shelter
2016.01 - 2020.02
Page
Toronto Public Library
2011.01 - 2019.01
Lead Staff
Albion Neighborhood Services
2010.01 - 2016.01
Child and Youth Care Diploma -
George Brown College
Sociology & Social Anthropology -
Dalhousie University
- Certified in Emergency First Aid/CPR
- Completion of quest 1, quest 2 and principles of healthy child development certifications, with training in student engagement and program inclusivity from High Five
- Certified in Grants Ontario, with training in application process of funds and record keeping of participants in program
- Certified in customer service training and WHMIS training
- Certified UMAB
- Food Handlers
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