Roles and Responsibilities
I undertook my practicum at Mustard Seed Kamloops and had Naloxone training with St. Paul’s Foundation and while at it, I undertook multifaceted roles. Besides receiving training on overdose on the first day, my responsibility on the other days included helping staff carry on their duties and providing guidance to clients making them valuable in the community. The guidance included undertaking counseling sessions with them, doing advocacy work, and committing myself to ensure that their lives have been positively changed.
Responsibility for Specific Position
Firstly, I undertook to make regular calls to clients assigned to me. Secondly, I offered professional companionship by creating an accommodating environment where clients could feel valued and share their stories with me. Thirdly, I encouraged community engagements. This was through promoting events and programs in the local community. I even encouraged clients to participate in the programs and this ensured integration in the community. Fourthly, I undertook assistance activities such as everyday grooming, social activities planning, and extending my work in helping clients when see fit. Fifthly, I kept records for clients whereby I documented clients’ visits, and this made communication with my field supervisor easier as well as ensuring the clients were properly supported.
Learning Objectives Pursued
Firstly, my objective of understanding human rights and social justice was achieved. It was achieved through experiential learning whereby I managed to work and interact with real-world scenarios and deal with the complex social justice and human rights at different levels which include, the local, national, and international. I also achieved the understanding of through advocacy whereby I went beyond carrying on routine activities to aid clients in seeing their lives positively impacted.
Secondly, the learning objective of justice and fairness was achieved. I did this through problem-solving whereby I helped clients maneuver the problems in their way of life to make their lives better. I also achieved it through positively impacting clients’ lives. I ensured that my focus on fairness and justice to clients remained steadfast.
Thirdly, I achieved the objective of leadership and acquiring cross-cultural knowledge. I did this by ensuring culture was appreciated whereby my leadership was evident in instances where I recognized and respected the clients’ culture and made the environment to be culture diverse. Also, I held diverse worldviews by applauding diversity in humanity and the environment and ensured though there are differences, understanding can be achieved.
Challenges and Ways of Overcoming Them
I faced a myriad of challenges in the practicum. For example, there was a challenge of convincing a client to agree to leave the dayroom. I overcome such challenges through my passion and dedication to what I do. Also, consulting my supervisors and sharing with my colleagues ensured that issues were solved with ease.
Networking and Future Targets
I ensured this through having a good relationship with both the client and the staff. The practicum made my passion for advocating for human rights stronger. I am looking forward to working in a shelter for the homeless to tackle the concerns about housing and help the vulnerable get the necessary assistance. It will be my joy to see others satisfied and help where I can improve their situation.