Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Personal Assets
Training
Volunteer Experience
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Rachel Kiges

North Vancouver,BC

Summary

Invested advocate dedicated to forming trusting relationships and advocating for best interests of clients. A strong resource of compassion and empathy. Respectful and dependable professional offering six-year background serving community by providing guidance for clients in need.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Women's Advocate

North Shore Crisis Services Society
09.2019 - Current
  • Provides advocacy, one to one support, group facilitation, crisis intervention, assessment, intake and discharge services for up to 18 women and children fleeing violence.
  • Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate care for clients.
  • Assisted clients in developing and setting realistic goals to promote positive change as well as holding 'check-in' meetings with clients to touch base with their progress and make changes if needed.
  • Provided crisis counseling and intervention services to clients in house, or on the phone through the crisis line.
  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with community resources for successful referrals.
  • Documented client progress and activities in accordance with agency policies and procedures.

Services Team Member

Mountain Equipment Co-Op
01.2015 - 10.2019
  • Retail position, helping people find appropriate gear to suite their outdoor adventure needs.
  • Promoted superior experience by addressing customer concerns, demonstrating empathy, and resolving problems.
  • Demonstrated flexibility in scheduling by working various shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, exhibiting reliability as a team member.

Program Assistant

Wish Drop-in Society
02.2019 - 09.2019
  • Provided access to food, showers, first aid and harm reduction supplies, clothing and other donated items to street-based sex workers accessing the drop-in space.
  • Established rapport with clients through client service practices, fostering ongoing relationships built on trust and respect.
  • Responded to critical incidents with a trauma-informed approach when attempting to deescalate clients from triggered emotional states
  • Performing first aid treatment and providing overdose prevention and response and responding to critical incidents in order to maintain the safety of all staff, participants, and volunteers in the space.
  • Offered referrals and connection to other WISH programs as well as external referrals to other agencies such as Legal Aid BC, medical or victim services resources.
  • Ensured non-judgemental and equal access to all participants.
  • Maintaining and providing daily statistics and reports regarding service delivery as required, including obtaining and recording demographic information of participants.

Aquatic Leader

City of Coquitlam
05.2011 - 11.2018
    • Lifeguard at multiple aquatic centers in Coquitlam, participated in safe, community recreation serving the multicultural awareness, served the public, tended to first aid emergencies with medical care, provided swimming lessons to people aged infant to adult
    • Created a safe and welcoming environment for all patrons by enforcing facility rules, regulations, and policies consistently.
    • Learned and maintained proficiency in first responder skills such as First Aid and CPR to offer individuals in distress optimal support.
    • Handled incident reporting accurately and efficiently, documenting any occurrences that required intervention or assistance from lifeguard staff.
    • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in lifeguarding and water safety education.

Behavioural Interventionist

Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA)
01.2012 - 01.2014
  • Developed strong rapport with client through active listening and empathetic understanding, fostering trust and open communication channels.
  • Worked in collaboration with parents to create consistent routines and expectations across home and other settings, reinforcing desired behaviors more effectively.
  • Utilized Applied Behavioural strategies to promote adherence to care plans, adoption of healthy behaviors and engagement in self-care.
  • Promoted a positive learning environment by modeling appropriate social skills and strongly reinforcing positively.
  • Maintained accurate records of clients' progress.

Instructor

Sasamat Outdoor Centre
01.2008 - 01.2014
  • Fulfilled multiple positions at Sasamat Outdoor Centre, including as a Day Camp and Resident Camp Leader, then as a Resident Camp Coordinator, a Leadership Instructor and finally as the Waterfront Director.
  • Across all positions, work was conducted with children of varying age, interest, skill, and developmental levels.
  • Acted as a positive role model, demonstrating strong leadership skills and exemplifying the camp's core values.
  • Developed strong relationships with co-counselors that resulted in seamless teamwork during challenging situations or emergencies.
  • Led conflict resolution efforts among campers, fostering a positive atmosphere conducive to personal development.
  • Participated in regular staff meetings to discuss strategies for improvement in areas such as programming, behavior management, and staff training.
  • Promoted camper growth through individualized attention, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities.
  • Maximized camper enjoyment by adapting programs to accommodate diverse interests and abilities.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, BC
01.2015

Associate of Arts -

Douglas College
Coquitlam, BC
01.2012

Skills

  • Client Advocacy
  • Resource Navigation
  • Trauma Informed Care Framework
  • Group facilitation
  • Referral Coordination
  • Multicultural Competence
  • Case Documentation

Personal Assets

  • Experienced Leader
  • Responsible & Empathetic
  • Team Player & Ever-Learning Intersectional Feminist

Training

  • Standard First Aid & CPR-C
  • Naloxone Trained
  • Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training
  • Mental Health First Aid

Volunteer Experience

  • Fraser Health Crisis Line Volunteer (600+ hours)
  • Bass Coast Harm Reduction Team – 2018
  • Good Night Out Vancouver – Street Team 2016 - 2018

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Women's Advocate

North Shore Crisis Services Society
09.2019 - Current

Program Assistant

Wish Drop-in Society
02.2019 - 09.2019

Services Team Member

Mountain Equipment Co-Op
01.2015 - 10.2019

Behavioural Interventionist

Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA)
01.2012 - 01.2014

Aquatic Leader

City of Coquitlam
05.2011 - 11.2018

Instructor

Sasamat Outdoor Centre
01.2008 - 01.2014

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Simon Fraser University

Associate of Arts -

Douglas College

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Rachel Kiges