Vita Centre
Nominator Comments:
Kimesha has gone above and beyond to enhance the inclusivity to all clients at Vita Centre. She has taken the initiative to rework the counselling program to further improve productivity, efficiency and services.
Kimesha has consistently made an effort to incorporate anti-oppressive practice into her Kimesha has consistently made an effort to incorporate anti-oppressive practice with clients. By changing the language and practices used Kimesha hopes to recognize and celebrate diversity of all bodies. Kimesha has also gone above and beyond to educate other staff about AOP principles in an effort to enhance the inclusivity of all bodies that access Vita’s services.
Kimesha has demonstrated the ability to effectively communicate with clients. In conversations with several clients, they have expressed how supportive and non-judgmental Kimesha is in interactions with them. As a result, clients feel as though they have gained a sense of empowerment their interactions and are now able to reach their full potential.
Kimesha has taken the initiative to re-work the counselling program in an effort to improve productivity, efficiency and services. Kimesha has updated forms and the delivery model in order to improve standard of service provided to clients.
During the past few months, Kimesha has been working diligently to establish and maintain collaboration with Bridgeway Family Centre’s Teen Prenatal Supper Club (TPSC). The TPSC program is designed to support young mothers by providing them with prenatal information up until their child reaches six months of age. However, it was discovered by both agencies that some of the young parents required additional post-natal information after leaving the TPSC, but were often unsure of where to acquire such support. Therefore, Kimesha has taken the initiative to work closely with the TPSC team to ensure that those in need of parenting support do not become further marginalized due to lack of education regarding resources in the community. As a result, Kimesha has attended several sessions at TPSC to inform clients not only about Vita Centre’s parenting programs and counselling services, but also about other available resources such as Birthright, Brampton Life, and MyLife Centre. Furthermore, in an effort to enhance collaboration among other parenting agencies in Peel, Kimesha has taken the initiative to become an active member of the Peel Young Parent’s Resource Group committee and the Peel Poverty Action Group. In doing so, Kimesha hopes to enhance her own knowledge base and networks in order to reduce the amount of barriers young people experience when accessing service, and to ensure that the social determinants of health are addressed from a holistic perspective.
