“I work at two sites in the Community Social Services (CSS) sector. I like variety. And I like change. So I've worked in day programs and I've worked in residential. I know so many individuals and it's so nice to be able to see them all.
Mostly I work with people with developmental disabilities. I help with gentle cleaning, administering medications, and helping them do their day-to-day social activities. This might be taking them bowling or shopping, or to medical appointments, or even out to a movie or for dinner.
It is challenging work. But it's also rewarding work.
I want people to understand that there is no such thing as “normal.” Often people will say, “well, that person is not normal.” I get so much more than I could ever give these individuals. They have taught me how to be present. They're in the moment, and they're present. They take me as I am, and not a lot of people do that.
Sometimes it's hard, sometimes we've had to work doubles and triples, because there was absolutely nobody to cover. We’re hurting in the sector. Not a lot of people are going into the sector or if they do, the goal is to move on to something else. The majority of Community Social Services workers have to work more than one job to survive. As much as I get so much out of this and sometimes I can't believe I get paid for what I do - it is still at the end of the day, a job. Sometimes I feel that we don't get paid our worth. We’re not just taking care of individuals and their personal needs, but also their mental and emotional needs. Staff should not have to have two or three jobs in order to survive.
I want health care workers to know that we're all in this together, and we will get to the other side. We have to stand by one another, regardless of what it is we do in the healthcare field.”
Roxane, Resource Worker, part of the health care team