Robel Araya
Registered Social Worker
Edmonton
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
2025
2025
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Family School Liaison Worker/Temp Position
Edmonton Catholic Schools
03.2025 - Current
- Conduct individualized student assessments in collaboration with parents, guardians, and school staff.
- Determine the appropriate level of service required based on student needs and circumstances.
- Develop and implement action plans and student goals using Individualized Program Plans (IPPs) and Division assessments.
- Provide comprehensive year-end reports, including progress summaries and program placement recommendations when appropriate.
- Collaborate as an active member of educational support teams to promote academic, behavioral, social, and emotional development in students.
- Coordinate with therapeutic specialists, Inclusive Education staff, and external community resources for a multi-disciplinary support approach.
- Facilitate communication between schools and families to enhance understanding and support of students’ individual needs.
- Conduct home visits to build school-family connections and support student engagement and success.
- Participate regularly in staff and team meetings to support collaboration and information sharing.
- Contribute to the development of strategic planning, departmental goals, and program objectives.
- Provide social services, information, and referrals related to student diagnoses, counseling, recreation, and other community supports.
- Deliver crisis intervention and prevention services in collaboration with agencies such as Alberta Children’s Services, Edmonton Police Service, Alberta Justice and Solicitor General, and Alberta Health Services.
Social Worker/Cultural Broker
Multicultural Health Brokers
05.2020 - Current
- Facilitate access to essential services, such as healthcare, housing, and education, by acting as a liaison between clients and service providers
- Conduct assessments to identify client needs and develop individualized action plans for support and integration
- Advocate for clients within community organizations, ensuring their rights are upheld and addressing barriers to integration
- Organize and lead community engagement activities to promote social inclusion and cultural understanding
- Support clients in navigating bureaucratic systems, including immigration processes, legal services, and employment opportunities
- Provide crisis intervention and conflict resolution support, ensuring clients receive timely and effective assistance
- Facilitate group workshops on topics such as mental health, family dynamics, and cultural adjustment to promote resilience and empowerment
- Educate clients on their rights and responsibilities in their new community, helping them navigate cultural differences and societal expectations
- Empower clients to advocate for themselves and make informed decisions about their futures
- Provide crisis counseling and emotional support to individuals and families dealing with displacement, trauma, and resettlement challenges
Research Assistant
University of Calgary
08.2023 - Current
- Conduct literature reviews to identify existing research and gaps in knowledge
- Assist in preparation of grant applications and research proposals
- Collaborate with research team to define project objectives, timelines, and deliverables
- Collaborate with stakeholders and community leaders
- Recruit participants
- Conduct interviews and collect data
- Transcribe interviews and maintain documents
- Present research findings at team meetings and contribute to discussions on project adjustments
Intern
REPSSI
09.2024 - 01.2025
- Assisted with psychosocial and mental health programs aimed at supporting refugees and vulnerable populations
- Collaborated with local and international stakeholders to promote community-based mental health interventions
- Visited refugee settlement camps to engage with communities, assess their needs, and understand their experiences
- Introduced available psychosocial support services to refugee communities in Kampala, documenting their concerns for follow-up
- Conducted needs assessments to inform the development of program strategies that enhance livelihood opportunities and resilience among refugees
- Participated in meetings related to refugee rights, contributing insights based on personal experience as a former refugee and professional work with refugees and immigrants in Canada
- Engaged in reflective practice to identify ethical dilemmas and challenges in delivering services in refugee settings
- Assisted with writing reflections on engagements and activities involving various refugee communities and their leaders
- Conducted interviews with individuals and families from diverse refugee communities for case management purposes
Family Connector/Practicum Student
The Family Centre
01.2022 - 05.2022
- Provided clients with information about available community resources
- Offered emotional support and transportation services for clients, including to court appointments
- Assisted families and youth with a history of trauma in accessing government resources, such as AISH
- Provided information and support to clients experiencing homelessness
- Helped individuals and families with self-advocacy and decision-making
- Conducted supervised family visits
- Disbursed groceries to clients in need
- Developed, implemented, and monitored goals with individuals and families to support their well-being
- Collaborated with community partners, such as Children Services, to address client concerns
- Attended and actively participated in weekly staff meetings and trainings as required
Cultural Broker/Practicum Student
Multicultural Health Brokers
09.2019 - 04.2020
- Provided clients with information about community resources
- Offered families knowledge, skills, and vital information related to parenting and health concerns
- Maintained documentation in accordance with agency regulations
- Reported significant client issues, such as health and behavioral concerns, to the supervisor in a timely manner
- Collaborated with other service providers to empower families and individuals
- Conducted home visits to offer emotional support
- Co-facilitated workshops and community meetings
- Assisted individuals and families with transportation to appointments, such as court hearings
- Provided translation services for families and individuals facing language barriers
- Facilitated English and computer classes
- Participated in research concerning refugee youth and mental health
Work Readiness Program/Practicum Student
Boyle Street Community Services
09.2018 - 05.2019
- Provided clients with information about community resources
- Co-facilitated orientation sessions
- Created and updated files in the database for both new and registered clients
- Conducted initial assessments for clients
- Assisted clients in creating and updating resumes
- Conducted mock interviews to help clients prepare
- Assisted clients in developing interview skills
- Referred clients to appropriate community resources
- Attended training sessions as assigned and maintained necessary certifications
Volunteer
RARIKAnow
06.2017 - Current
- Provide support with note-taking
- Organize meetings
- Provide information about community resources
- Empower individuals through information sharing
- Refer clients to trusted service providers for specialized support
Education
Bachelor's Degree - BSW
Macewan University
Edmonton, AlbertaMaster's Degree - MSW In International Community Development
University Of Calgary
Calgary, AlbertaSkills
- Documentation
- Relationship building
- Communication
- Advocacy
- Confidentiality
- Collaboration
- Cultural Awareness
- Community Empowerment
- Empathetic
- Time Management
Timeline
Family School Liaison Worker/Temp Position
Edmonton Catholic Schools
03.2025 - Current
Intern
REPSSI
09.2024 - 01.2025
Research Assistant
University of Calgary
08.2023 - Current
Family Connector/Practicum Student
The Family Centre
01.2022 - 05.2022
Social Worker/Cultural Broker
Multicultural Health Brokers
05.2020 - Current
Cultural Broker/Practicum Student
Multicultural Health Brokers
09.2019 - 04.2020
Work Readiness Program/Practicum Student
Boyle Street Community Services
09.2018 - 05.2019
Volunteer
RARIKAnow
06.2017 - Current
Bachelor's Degree - BSW
Macewan University
Master's Degree - MSW In International Community Development
University Of Calgary
Similar Profiles
Whitney HoppWhitney Hopp
Therapeutic Assistant - Speech and Language at Edmonton Catholic SchoolsTherapeutic Assistant - Speech and Language at Edmonton Catholic Schools
Ellen MikhailEllen Mikhail
Teacher at Edmonton Catholic SchoolsTeacher at Edmonton Catholic Schools
Adam ThompsonAdam Thompson
NA at Edmonton Catholic SchoolsNA at Edmonton Catholic Schools
Dan KafelDan Kafel
Food Handler at Edmonton Food BankFood Handler at Edmonton Food Bank
Cassandra EllisCassandra Ellis
Operations Assistant at Canadian National RailwayOperations Assistant at Canadian National Railway