Social Worker (MSW)
Social workers help individuals, couples, families, groups, communities and organizations develop the skills and resources they need to enhance social functioning and provide counselling, therapy and referral to other supportive social services.
Roxanne Richardson (MSW/PMP)
Manager Social Impact/Social Worker – MLSE
My parents were the first to arrive in Canada from Trinidad and Tobago over 50 years ago. My older brother and I were born in Toronto and raised by our grandparents for a few years while my parents continued their post-secondary education in Canada. When my brother and I returned to Canada, my parents had settled in Mississauga.
Growing up and well into university, there were so many friends and family who stayed with us until they could establish themselves. This sense of community lead me to volunteer for years both locally and overseas regardless of the sectors I’ve worked in.
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– municipal government (Ontario Works Caseworker and Research Analyst on the 3-1-1 Project Management Team) plus
– project/ program manager in both the telecommunications and financial service sectors.
Ending up in social impact seems like a natural progression where I get to leverage transferrable skills I’ve developed across sectors and combine them with my true passion for community work.
Pursuing my Master of Social Work (MSW) was a way for me to combine skillsets and pursue opportunities in social impact and community-based / corporate mental health and psychological safety.
What is your educational background?
Bachelor of Arts, Project Management Professional (PMP),
Master of Social Work (MSW), Trauma Certificate
What are your daily roles and responsibilities?
Collaborate with cross functional partners within the the organization and community partners outside of the organization to plan and execute programs and initiatives which align to the Teams missions and values Strategic partnership building across sectors
What advice would you give the 15-18 year old version of yourself?The value you bring to any role is 70% previous experiences, 20% experiential learning and 10% education. This is not at all to underestimate the importance of education. As you progress, you will pivot and maybe even change jobs /fields. As you evolve, please be sure to take inventory from early on of all your accomplishments and transferrable skills you will gain as you advance in your careers Leave nothing behind for it’s your previous experiences that may make you unique compared to other candidates.
Also, keep the faith and don’t be disappointed by a “no” for that very “no” could in fact, be a blessing in disguise!!
Core Responsibilities
01.
Provide people with social/emotional support
02.
Connect youth and families to community resources
03.
Investigate cases of child abuse or neglect and take protective action.
04.
Work with community partners to help build social supports
Typical Workplace
- Interview clients to assess their situation and determine the types of services required and eligibility
- Provide counsel and therapy to help clients resolve social and personal problems
- Plan programs of assistance for clients
- Refer clients to agencies that provide financial assistance, legal aid, housing, medical treatment and other services
- Investigate cases of child abuse or neglect and take authorized protective action when necessary
Attributes & Abilities
Creativity Skills
Analytical and problem-solving skills
Organized & detail-oriented
Communication skills
Collaborative skills
Educational skills
Grade 11
English (ENG3U)
Mathematics: (MEL3E1/MBF3C1/MCF3M1/MCR3U1)
Parenting (Recommended)
Cooperative Education (Recommended)
Grade 12
English (ENG4U)
5 Additional University level courses (4U/M)
Cooperative Education (Recommended)
Social Worker
Have a questions about this career?
Contact Us
info@influentialteam.com
(647) 968 – 3304
Office
4 Aquila Court
Etobicoke, ON M9W 5J2
