Jami Coughler

Experience

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  Lincoln County Humane Society

  Sept 2011 - Feb 2014

  Christmas Fundraiser:Created and organized a Christmas fundraiser to benefit the Lincoln County Humane Society in which I raised over $2,000 worth of animal food and suppliesPromoted my fundraiser on Facebook in order to collect more donations and contacted local newspapers in order to have the fundraiser results published so that it may inspire community members to donate and/or volunteer to help homeless animals in our communityWinter Bake Sale & Raffle:Organized and facilitated a bake sale and raffle in order to raise money for the "dog walkers fund" - money generated went directly to purchasing supplies for the homeless dogs living at the shelter, as well as to hold as an emergency fund if ever needed.Promoted my bake sale and raffle through signage and social media (Facebook); generated prizes by meeting with community members and businesses and asking for donations to my fundraiser.Managed the events of the weekend: set up tables and prizes, sold tickets for the raffle (applied for raffle license in advance to ensure the fundraiser met lottery and gaming regulations), and contacted winners of prizes, sold baked goods, coordinated volunteers to assist with the event, and reported funds raised to the community through social media outlets. Over $1800 was raised, 25% of which was donated to the "cat foster program" at LCHS in order to provide much needed supplies for cats in foster care through the shelter. Show less Ensured all dogs at the shelter got out for individual play and interaction, as well as maintaining a clean living space for the animalsAdoption Events:Facilitated various adoption events by transporting animals to and from the adoption event, caring for the animals while at the event, and promoting adoptions to the public; over 40 homeless animals found homes at our last adoption event (September 2012)Facilitated National Adoption Weekend with PetSmart, ensuring all adoptions were fully and accurately completed; coordinated volunteers throughout the weekend to ensure they were well informed and prepared to care for the animals at the event and to engage with the public. Show less

  • Volunteer

    Nov 2011 - Feb 2014

  • Volunteer

    Sept 2011 - Feb 2014
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  Brock University

  Aug 2012 - Aug 2014

  Planned and coordinated the SHIFT Conference, a professional development conference for graduate students, ensuring the event and its sessions run smoothly and were successful.Organized networking and mentoring sessions between graduate students and field professionals to create meaningful connections within the community.Updated the program's website and events calendar for graduate students to see upcoming opportunities for professional development.Created and evaluated professional development resources, research, workshops and events. Show less Created and updated comprehensive training materials for incoming staff in order to prepare them for their new role. Provided guidance and training for incoming Career Assistant team, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to be successful.Lead a team of Career Assistants in completely specific projects and areas of specialization, managing deadlines and dividing responsibilities accordingly. Facilitated workshops and information sessions on behalf of Career Services in order to assist groups of people at various stages of their career planning process.Wrote various career-focused articles for the Career Services Blog which was internationally recognized as a top career services blog.Created "Career Chat" - an online, live chat function on the Career Services website in which visitors to the page could receive instant assistance. Show less Provided a drop-in service for students, staff/faculty, alumni and community members to help them with their career planning goals, allowing me to utilize various research and problem solving skills in order to assist individuals with their unique questions and concerns.Referred individuals to the various resources in the Career Services Resource Centre, as well as using various databases and search engines to inform individuals of specific opportunities available to them, requiring me to keep up-to-date on current literature in our resource centre.Participated in on-going group projects with colleagues to develop additional resources for the centre in order to improve our services and information available to our customers. Show less

  • Project Lead, Academic and Professional Development Program

    Apr 2014 - Aug 2014

  • Senior Career Assistant

    Apr 2013 - Apr 2014

  • Career Assistant

    Aug 2012 - Apr 2014
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  The Brock Student Sexual Violence Support Centre (A Safer Brock)

  Dec 2013 - Apr 2019

  Program Coordinator & Support Staff

  Provided text-line, email, phone, and in-person support using a survivor-centred approach ensuring client's needs were met and that they receive the support and resources they requiredProvided survivor-centred advocacy services to clients for various processes/meetings, ensuring their rights were upheld and needs exceededFacilitated workshops for thousands of Brock University students on topics such as consent, health relationships, and helping a friend who has been sexually assaultedCreated a professional development series of workshops and training seminars for Brock University staff and community members, training front line staff and first responders on how to respond effectively and compassionately, employing a survivor-centred approach, to disclosures and reports of sexual violencePlanned and facilitated a weekly youth drop-in program aimed at creating a safe and welcoming space for youth to gather and seek supportManaged daily operations of the Centre to ensure various administrative and bookkeeping tasks and communications were completed, including maintaining our social media accountsAssisted in the planning and development of a therapeutic community garden which served to provide clients and volunteers with a tranquil space to relax and grow their own foodMet with various community organizations in order to establish and build relationships, promoting our support services and programming Connected with local establishments in order to have our promotional materials put up to advertise our survivor support services and our Raise the Bar campaignCoordinated and mentored staff and volunteers during outreach programming, including debriefing with them after certain events or survivor interactions as needed Show less

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  Niagara Action for Animals

  Jan 2016 - Mar 2020

  Programs Coordinator

  Assisted in the coordination of the organization’s foster program, completing home assessments, foster home interviews, reference checks, and ongoing support of foster homes once animals were placed in their careMaintained a strong presence on social media outlets in order to promote adoptable animals and upcoming events .Assisted with adoption and fundraising events to promote adoptions and raise funds for spay/neuter program.

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  Design For a New Tomorrow

  Sept 2016 - Dec 2017

  Domestic Violence Counsellor

  Provided personal counselling to women who have experienced domestic and sexual violence within their current and/or past interpersonal relationships. Provided individualized treatment for healing from abuse, employing a trauma-informed and client-centred approach. Referred survivors to additional community-based resources, including transitional and emergency housing, financial supports, legal services, and addictions treatment.Safety planned with women who choose to leave violent relationships, and women who choose to stay in their relationship for various reasons.Liaised with collaterals, such as Family and Children's Services, shelters, etc. Show less

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  Gillian's Place

  Jun 2017 - now

  Developed and implemented an evidence-based community education program for a variety of audiences aimed at preventing and raising awareness about gender-based violence; created and launched a 5-course Allied Agency training program geared towards service providers and businesses who wish to be allies with survivors. Established and maintained partnerships with community organizations to bring additional services and programming to our shelter, to reduce or remove barriers to access for clients. Planned and executed residential programs, workshops, and events for awareness days, holidays/observances, health and wellness topics, and fun days, ensuring diversity and representation.Oversaw the development and ongoing maintenance of standardized online staff training modules. Developed, implemented, and monitored staff wellness and engagement initiatives in order to help prevent or buffer the effects of compassion fatigue and burnout.Recruited, supervised, and mentored placement students across various departments ensuring a mutually beneficial and meaningful experience for the employer and our students; awarded Co-Op Employer of the Year by Brock University Co-Op Program in 2022.Acted as the Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC) Lead for the organization: developed, implemented, and monitored IPAC initiatives in response to Public Health and Ministry guidance, liaised with Public Health inspectors regarding IPAC policies and practices. Member of the agency’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Committee, ensuring an inclusive lens is used throughout all of the agency’s work – from training to programming to policy. In collaboration with the relevant managers, revised, wrote, and created agency Policies and Procedures in the areas of safety and security, service delivery, shelter life, and IPAC.Member of the agency's Crisis Response Team; assisted in the writing and development of the team's procedures and working documents. Show less Provided compassionate and client-centered support to folks who had fled abusive relationships, including providing comprehensive risk assessment and safety planning, community referrals, and counselling.Ensured the safety of all shelter residents and staff by adhering to strict policies and procedures regarding access to the shelter/assessments for admission, health and safety policies, as well as de-escalating crisis. Created and cultivated client resources to effectively support clients and their children, ensuring resources were tailored to individual clients’ needs and learning styles.Led group programming in the areas of self-care, boundaries, health relationships, and various life/practical skills to help support all aspects of clients’ health, well-being, and healing. Trained incoming casual/relief counsellors according to agency policies and department expectations, ensuring they were ready and confident in their new roles. Show less Supported the organization through the pandemic, including writing our COVID Response Policies and Procedures, translating and disseminating government and Ministry guidance to staff and clients, and training staff on COVID procedures and IPAC principles.Supported (with the IT Manager) the prompt technological innovation/digitization of the organization during the pandemic, including training staff on new software (e.g., Teams, SharePoint, virtual meetings, cloud-based phone system) and how to effectively work from home when needed.Identified innovative ways to support the changing needs of our clients during the pandemic, including delivering online groups/activities and building a Client Portal containing resources and external links. Show less

  • Manager of Residential Services

    Oct 2024 - now

  • Manager of Quality & Engagement, IPAC Lead

    Jun 2021 - Oct 2024

  • Fulltime Counsellor

    Nov 2017 - Jun 2021

  • Special Project

    Mar 2020 - Feb 2021

  • Relief Counsellor (casual)

    Jun 2017 - Nov 2017
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  Underdogs Boxing Club

  Apr 2019 - now

  Board Member
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  Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services (through Gillian's Place)

  Feb 2021 - Jun 2021

  Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC) Champion

  Selected as 1 of 2 IPAC Champion sub-leads at the Ministry level working to support other MCCSS funded agencies (congregate living settings) with their IPAC needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.Remained IPAC Lead for Gillian’s Place, supporting the organization through the pandemic, including writing our COVID Response Policies and Procedures, translating and disseminating government and Ministry guidance to staff and clients, and training staff on COVID procedures and IPAC principles.