Youth Mental Health Support Worker

As a youth mental health Support worker during the COVID-19 pandemic at Noah's House Youth Center, I played a vital role in providing emotional and psychological support to young people navigating the heightened stress, isolation, and uncertainty caused by the pandemic. The abrupt shift to remote learning, social distancing and the closure or school and recreational activities exacerbated existing mental health challenges for many youth. My role involved in-person check-ins, offering coping strategies, facilitating group discussions but mostly providing a safe space for youth to come when needed. 

Lifeguard/ Swim teacher 

As a lifeguard and swim instructor, I gained valuable experience in both ensuring safety and teaching essential water skills. My primary responsibility as a lifeguard was to monitor swimmers, prevent accidents, and respond to emergencies by maintaining constant vigilance while observing. In addition to ensuring safety, I also provided swim instructions to individuals of varying ages and skill levels. I developed lesson plans that focused on building confidence, improving efficiency and promoting water safety. Through this role, I honed my ability to communicate effectively with both children and adults, maintained a calm and composed demeanor during stressful situations, and learned the importance of teamwork with fellow lifeguards/instructors. The experience reinforced my commitment to safety and my passion for helping others develop vital skills. 

Home Childcare (babysitting)

As a babysitter my role involved supervising and engaging with children of various ages, creating a safe and nurturing environment, and supporting their developmental needs through age-appropriate activities. I focused on fostering social, emotional and cognitive growth by encouraging play, promoting positive behaviours , and helping children navigate their emotions and relationships with peers. Additionally, I was responsible for ensuring basic routines such as meal preparation, hygiene and sleep schedules. Through this experience, I developed strong skills in communication, patience, and problem solving, which are crucial in creating a supportive and responsive environment for young children.

Volunteer Experience

Coaching Youth 

In this role as a Swim coach for youth, I worked with children of varying ages and skill levels, focusing not only on swimming techniques but also building key skills such as teamwork, discipline, and confidence. I designed practice sessions that promoted both physical and emotional growth, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, cooperation, and positive reinforcement. This experience helped me develop an understanding of how to cater to individual learning styles and needs, ensuring that each child felt supported and motivated to improve. The role also allowed me to practice communication skills, patience, and conflict resolution, all of which are fundamental in fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Reading to/Helping children in 'GAINS' (special education) classroom