JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY

SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER STUDENT INTERN 

John Howard Society | Toronto | Sept 2016 – Jan 2017

During my placement with the John Howard Society, I supported justice-involved individuals working toward successful community reintegration. My work included employment programming, workshop facilitation, service navigation and connecting participants with supports related to housing, employment and community stability.

I supported reintegration groups serving approximately 15 participants per session, with discussions focused on employment readiness, housing stability and connections to community resources. I also assisted with drop-in programming and helped individuals identify services aligned with their goals and circumstances.

This placement provided my first substantial frontline experience in community services and strengthened my skills in relationship building, group facilitation, system navigation and supporting individuals facing multiple barriers.

RELATIONSHIP-BASED SUPPORT 

Working with justice-involved individuals taught me the importance of building trust while maintaining clear boundaries and expectations. I supported participants through practical conversations focused on their immediate needs, goals and next steps.

The work required meeting people where they were while encouraging accountability, self-advocacy and realistic planning. I learned to adapt my communication and approach to individuals with very different experiences, needs and levels of readiness.

This early frontline experience helped shape the relationship-based, person-centred approach that continues to inform my work today.