Meet the Herd: Kara
Meet the Zebra Centre’s Healing Supports Navigator, Kara! She shares all about her unique role on our team, her proudest moment, and so much more!
Q: Tell us about your role as Healing Supports Navigator at the Zebra Centre?
Kara: As Healing Supports Navigator, a unique role of mine is to support families in getting connected with mental health supports. Whether that is helping families navigate resources options, providing emotional support, or completing counselling referrals. As part of our Multidisciplinary Team, I get the opportunity to work closely with our referral partners as we strive to constantly improve the supports we offer families. When I am not doing counselling referrals, a large portion of my time is spent supporting children, youth, and their families when they attend the Zebra Centre for a forensic interview. My role is to foster an environment where families feel welcomed and supported. I continue to provide support to families after the forensic interview is completed through answering questions, providing resources, and advocating for them throughout the criminal justice system.
Q: What does a typical ‘day in the life’ as Healing Supports Navigator look like?
Kara: Most often, I arrive a bit early to catch up with coworkers before the day begins. I find this to be a grounding part of my routine that helps encourage a supportive team environment. Once my real workday begins, you will often find me connecting with families via phone, email, or text; or providing in-person support to young people and their families when they attend the Centre. My goal is to make the environment as safe as possible by providing a trauma-informed approach, where the child or youth knows that they are in charge, and that their voice matters. I also have the opportunity to sit with non-offending caregivers, providing emotional support, answering questions, and discussing resources.
A lot of my time is also spent connecting with families regarding mental health resources. I connect with young people and their caregivers to learn more about the challenges they are experiencing, and what supports would be most beneficial for them. This allows me to support families as they navigate resource options, as well as complete counselling referrals. I regularly connect with both the therapists involved in our own Healing Stripes program, as well as Recovery Alberta therapists to discuss how we can be connecting families with supports that truly meet them where they are at.
Q: What do you love most about your role?
Kara: The time I get to spend with the kiddos and their caregivers who come through the Centre is the best part of my job. Getting the opportunity to not only support them and advocate for them but get to know them for a moment, allows me to tailor my support around their needs and each of their unique personalities. I love meeting the kiddos and families where they are at and reminding them that what they think and feel matters in this space.
Q: What is your proudest moment at the Zebra Centre so far?
Kara: Supporting the kiddos and families that come to the Zebra Centre is an honour everyday. The moments where I feel the proudest of what I do is when a kiddo leaves the Centre with a sense of hope and confidence. Oftentimes when kiddos come to the Centre, they are very nervous and shy, which is completely understandable. Seeing kiddos slowly become more vocal and confident during their time here is such a privilege. We always remind the kiddos that come into the Centre that they are in charge while they are here and seeing them step into that by expressing both their needs and unique personalities is so wonderful. We aim to create an environment that is as safe as possible, and seeing kiddos gradually get more comfortable during their time here is so rewarding.
Q: What motivates you to show your stripes (your why)?
Kara: I show my stripes to work towards creating an atmosphere where the voices of kiddos are heard and honoured. It takes so much bravery and strength to come forward, especially as a young person. I want to honour the strength of young people by working to foster a safe, supportive environment for them to tell their story.
Q: Lastly, share a surprising or fun fact about you.
Kara: I have found myself in multiple impromptu dance battles with kids I have worked with throughout my career, and they are some of my most hilarious and joyful memories!