Hi, I’m
Peninah Okello
Human Rights , Equity & Social Justice Advocate
New Westminster,BC
Summary
Compassionate Social Justice expert offering 8 year background supporting clients through crisis intervention, communication and Social justice advocacy. Proficient in preparing case study reports, coordinating with community organizations and advocating for equity and well-being of marginalized individuals.
Overview
9
years of professional experience
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Thompson River University, Kamloops, BC
Graduate Teaching Assistant
2022.09 - Current (2 years)
Job overview
- Managed classroom facilitation of up to thirty students per class while encouraging respect among peers and promoting self-awareness and inclusion
- Provided individualized support to students who required additional help understanding concepts or completing assignments
- Encouraged positive behavior management strategies to maintain productive learning environment
- Ordering supplies
- Attended professional development workshops for continued growth as educator
- Utilized technology-based tools to enhance instruction
- Provided feedback on assignments, projects, and exams for improvement purposes
- Conducted research in support of ongoing instructional initiatives
- Assessed student performance through quizzes, tests, projects, and presentations.
- Checked assignments, proctored tests, and provided grades according to university standards
- Mentored students through office hours and one-on-one communication
- Documented attendance and completed assignments to maintain full class and student records
- Coordinated homework and assignments for absent students
MPA Society, Vancouver, BC
Mental Health Support Worker
2020.11 - 2023.06 (2 years & 7 months)
Job overview
- Assesses patient’s mental and physical parameters discovered through interviews and standardized assessments
- Worked with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion
- Tested patient’s psychological and physical parameters discovered through interviews and standardized assessments
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served
- Use positive uncertainty and family systems therapy to encourage clients and help them manage ambiguity, accept inconsistencies, and trust MPA's decision-making
- Mediated conflicts within clients to clarify and resolve underlying issues
- Applied array of different methodologies to help patients with mental health needs
- Participates in case planning with clients and/or healthcare providers by performing duties such as interviewing clients to find problems and needs, by obtaining required information from variety of sources such as families and care providers, documenting client needs and wants, and helping clients to decide right programs
- Advocates for clients by problem solving in areas such as landlord-tenant disputes, accessing financial assistance and community resources, and obtaining volunteer or work placements
- Observes clients, identifies, and assesses potential emergency situations, and develops short-term strategies to deal with such situations including de-escalating challenging behaviors
- Reports medical, behavioral, and other problems as needed
- Gave feedback and input about clients' needs, performance, and progress
- Participated medication support, following established policy
- Prepared meal programs or support following established policy
- Found available social, economic, recreational, and educational services and resources in community that will meet clients' needs
- Provides clients with related information
- Conducts administrative transactions such as petty cash, client accounts, collecting rents
- Completes and supports related records and documentation such as care plans, progress reports, statistics, and daily logs.
- Provided complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients in psychological distress.
- Provided clients with recommendations to community resources.
- Documented client progress in confidential files.
- Delivered individualized counseling services to clients working through issues such as mental illness and substance abuse.
- Evaluated patients based on mental and physical parameters discovered through interviews and standardized assessments.
Purpose Society, New Westminster, BC
Community Case Manager
2019.03 - 2020.12 (1 year & 9 months)
Job overview
- Developed team communications and information for inter-organizational meetings
- Transported clients to clinics, doctor's appointments, and other appointments as scheduled
- Helped patients receive right, high-quality care with excellent results
- Worked with different disciplines to provide cohesive care to patients
- Managed support services and fostered communication among social workers, physical therapists, hospital staff and patients
- Consulted with clinicians to devise and execute effective ongoing care plans for at-risk patients
- Reduced care costs without sacrificing quality through effective service coordination and multidisciplinary collaboration
- Tested treatment plans against individual goals and healthcare standards
- Educated patients and loved ones about different treatment options and outside care approach, reducing hospital resources burden
- Conducted scientific-based prevention education sessions with HIV-positive individuals through workshops and social marketing activities
- Educated clients about living with HIV, preventing further transmission, benefits and challenges of HIV care and treatment and access to resources
- Collaborated with case managers to help clients in identifying resources, including mental health treatment, substance abuse programs, domestic violence services and housing help
- Assisted clients in enrolling and re-engaging appropriate medical care through outreach and appointments
- Distributed condoms to promote use for HIV-infected persons and persons at highest risk of getting HIV
- Identified and developed client-directed treatment plan to monitor ongoing goal achievement
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Researched best practices and developed strategies to improve program outcomes
- Collaborated with community members to develop and implement service initiatives
- Advocated for social and community service programs to increase awareness and funding
- Coordinated with community stakeholders for successful implementation of social and community service initiatives
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet treatment needs
- Conducted outreach activities to engage local stakeholders in programs
- Conducted community workshops to promote different programs and educate public on available services
- Monitored program performance and outcomes for successful delivery of services
- Provided leadership, guidance and support to staff members
- Partnered with local organizations to expand access to social and community services
Salvation Army, Vancouver, BC
Residential Support Worker
2016.04 - 2018.04 (2 years)
Job overview
- Supervised twenty-five residents within facility and on community outings
- Practiced counseling and crisis intervention services
- Monitored client medications and adherence to individual treatment plans
- Helped clients develop essential life skills, such as cooking and cleaning
- Conducted resident checks during day and overnight hours regularly to check health and safety status
- Improved office operations by automating client correspondence, record tracking, and data communications
- Delivered expert clerical support by efficiently managing wide range of standards and unique requirements
- Managed CRM databases, including troubleshooting, maintenance, updates, and report generation
- Documented client progress in confidential files
- Provided clients with recommendations for community resources
- Used twelve steps to support clients in meeting therapeutic goals
- Tested patients based on mental and physical parameters discovered through interviews and standardized assessments
- Devised and enhanced treatment strategies to promote continued progress
- Delivered individualized counseling services to clients working through issues such as mental illness and substance abuse.
- Supervised up to thirty residents within facility and on community outings
- Supervised four residents within facility and on community outings
- Conducted resident checks during day and overnight hours on regular schedule to check health and safety status
- Provided counseling and crisis intervention services
- Helped build important life skills such as cooking and cleaning
York University, Founders College, Toronto, Ontario
Student Residence Peer Support Leader
2014.05 - 2016.03 (1 year & 10 months)
Job overview
- Led campus tours for prospective students every 30 minutes
- Supervised onboarding procedures for incoming first-year students, supporting their transition into university life
- Interact with university and prospective students and parents during tours and student visit days, answering questions and providing insight
- Founded on-campus club promoting volunteering efforts by students for non-profit organizations in community
- Distributed mail filed documents and answered telephone calls
- Mentored students to increase satisfaction and help each engage in campus life
- Took part and contributed to staff meetings addressing resident needs
- Led by example through mature behavior consistent with university regulations and rules
- Coached students on useful life and personal care skills
- Developed rapport to create safe and trusting environment for care
- Performed administrative duties, including room transfers, incident reports, and maintenance requests
- Designed and implemented social, educational, and recreational programs for residents
- Counseled peers on career, academic and personal concerns
- Enforced and implemented all university and campus housing policies
- Assisted residents in preparing for activities and social programs.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a demanding environment
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Education
Thompson River University , Kamloops, BC
Master of Arts from Human Rights & Social Justice Candidate
2022.09 - Current (2 years)
York University , Toronto, ON
Bachelor of Arts from Human Rights & Equity Studies
2014.05 - 2016.06 (2 years & 1 month)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University , Richmond, BC
Associate of Arts from Criminology
2012.05 - 2014.05 (2 years)
Skills
Written and verbal communication
undefinedTimeline
Thompson River University
Master of Arts from Human Rights & Social Justice Candidate
2022.09 - Current (2 years)
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Thompson River University
2022.09 - Current (2 years)
Mental Health Support Worker
MPA Society
2020.11 - 2023.06 (2 years & 7 months)
Community Case Manager
Purpose Society
2019.03 - 2020.12 (1 year & 9 months)
Residential Support Worker
Salvation Army
2016.04 - 2018.04 (2 years)
York University
Bachelor of Arts from Human Rights & Equity Studies
2014.05 - 2016.06 (2 years & 1 month)
Student Residence Peer Support Leader
York University, Founders College
2014.05 - 2016.03 (1 year & 10 months)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Associate of Arts from Criminology
2012.05 - 2014.05 (2 years)
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