Rhonda Braun
Thunder Bay,ON
Summary
Dynamic Community Wellness Worker with extensive experience at the Ontario Native Women's Association, focusing on empowering Indigenous women and facilitating community healing. Proven expertise in trauma-informed mental health support and strategic program planning. Adept at building trust within communities and advocating for members' needs while creating culturally safe environments that promote educational growth.
Overview
1
1
year of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Community Wellness Worker
Ontario Native Women's Association
Thunder Bay, Ontario
05.2024 - Current
- Developed and co-facilitated community programming focused on empowering Indigenous woman affected by Intimate Partner Violence, enhancing their cultural and educational bundles.
- Linking participants of programming with supports and services when they aren't directly connected to a worker or program.
- Case management of community members in need of supports and services in the community. Identifying risk factors, ensuring community members have access to cultural healing, public health, and social services.
- Created service plans with community members actively advocating for their short- and long-term goals, connecting them to programs and services.
- Initiated relationships and trust with a caseload of community members experiencing many high-risk challenges. For example, homelessness, addiction, child welfare, exiting human trafficking, health, and legal matters.
- Assisted in the development of the Addiction Day Treatment Program and co-facilitation, ensuring the respect, safety, and healing of all participants. Referring community members to programs and services after determining eligibility.
- Direct support and involvement in ONWA community events, city events, federal initiatives (Residential School Site Search Forum), and the COVID vaccination clinic. Assisted in the Traditional Healing Clinic as a trained helper.
- Planned and delivered cultural events addressing the Residential School grief with a traditional sacred fire.
- Following protocol, I am providing assistance for the Monthly Full Moon Ceremony.
Education
Social Service Worker Diploma - Social Service Worker
Confederation College of Applied Arts And Technology
Thunder Bay, ON04-2002
Skills
- Creating a safe, welcoming space for all community members, promoting healing, and education through cultural teachings
- Promoting the Medicine Wheel as a guide for healing and balance, as well as the teachings of sacred medicines and their role in our people's healing
- Supporting community members to add to their bundles, both culturally and educationally, through cultural teachings for healing and intimate partner violence safety tools
- Providing trauma-informed mental health support to community members accessing our services, teaching love in the community
- Understanding the role of the generational systematic effects that our community members navigate daily
- Case management for community members experiencing vicarious grief, addiction, homelessness, racism, poverty, violence, chronic health conditions, disabilities, mental health issues, trauma, and child welfare crises
- Promotion of harm reduction, physical health education, sexual health, and safe relationship education
- Program planning in support of ONWA initiatives, human trafficking prevention, Indigenous history, healing through the arts, and LGBTQ advocacy
Certification
- Licensed Circle of Security Facilitator (International Intervention Program for Caregivers developed by Child Psychologists based on attachment research)
Affiliations
- Advocate for Organ Donation inspired through personal experience as a living kidney donor and commitment to supporting family member with chronic kidney disease. Promoting education and awareness as Team Captain of the annual Kidney Walk for the past nine years.
ONWA Reference
- Niemi Himes-ONWA Branch Manager/Hamilton Rosedene
905-246-9392
nhimes@onwa.ca
Timeline
Community Wellness Worker
Ontario Native Women's Association
05.2024 - Current
- Licensed Circle of Security Facilitator (International Intervention Program for Caregivers developed by Child Psychologists based on attachment research)
Social Service Worker Diploma - Social Service Worker
Confederation College of Applied Arts And Technology
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