Equity-Centered Youth Worker and Advocate

RAHMA KIONGOZI

647-***-**** *************@*****.*** LinkedIN

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

● Equity-centered Youth Worker and Community Support Practitioner with 5+ years of direct experience supporting Black, racialized, newcomer, 2SLGBTQ+, and low-income youth across community, municipal, and academic settings.

● Strong background in front-line support, crisis navigation, case coordination, anti-oppressive practice, trauma-informed engagement, and youth advocacy.

● Adept at building trust with youth, developing safe and culturally responsive spaces, coordinating programs, and transforming complex issues into accessible supports. Versatile, deeply community-rooted, and skilled in delivering responsive, relationship-based youth work.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology - Trent University

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

SNAP Facilitator - Ifarada Centre for Excellence)- Pickering ON - Dec 2025 – Present

● Facilitated weekly SNAP sessions for youth ages 6-12, creating a safe, consistent space rooted in trust, emotional regulation, and personal growth

● Supported children and families in developing social, emotional, and behavioral skills through structured programming and one-on-one guidance

● Built meaningful relationships with youth navigating systemic barriers, using empathy, patience, and culturally responsive approaches

● Led group discussions and activities focused on self-awareness, conflict resolution, and healthy communication

● Collaborated with caregivers, educators, and community workers to ensure holistic support for each participant

● Practiced trauma-informed care, recognizing the impact of environment, displacement, and socio-economic challenges on behavior and development. Youth and Family Wellbeing Worker- Ifarada Centre for Excellence)- Pickering ON - April 2025 – Present

● Lead the design, coordination, and facilitation of youth wellness and leadership programs, creating safe, engaging spaces for skill-building, reflection, and empowerment.

● Manage cross-sector partnerships and stakeholder engagement, building and sustaining networks that enhance program reach and impact.

● Oversee project management for multiple initiatives, including logistics, planning, and impact reporting, ensuring programs run smoothly and meet strategic objectives.

● Provide wraparound support for youth, addressing social, emotional, and developmental needs through individual guidance, resource connection, and advocacy.

● Integrate culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and equity-centered approaches across programming, expanding accessibility and fostering inclusive participation. Youth Engagement Lead- Youth Research Evaluation Exchange (YouthReX)- York University, Toronto ON Part Time Toronto, ON- Apr 2025 – Dec 2025

● Co-led a Public Health Agency of Canada–funded national initiative, Centering Black Youth Wellbeing, delivering 25 + learning opportunities, webinars, presentations and workshops on anti-Black racism, youth mental health, and organizational accountability.

● Supported the direction of the full project lifecycle- design, logistics, facilitation, partner relations, and impact reporting engaging 500 + practitioners across Ontario.

● Built and maintained an ecosystem of 800 + partners and educators, developing sustainable infrastructure for cross-sector collaboration.

● Integrated culturally responsive pedagogy with digital learning systems, expanding program accessibility and national reach.

Research Assistant Youth Research Evaluation Exchange (YouthReX)- York University, Toronto ON Part Time Toronto, ON - (November 2024 – April 2025)

● Facilitated transformative anti-racism and equity workshops for 300+ youth workers, employing participatory methods to surface lived experiences and generate qualitative insights on systemic barriers

● Led mixed-methods research and program evaluations that produced actionable, data-driven recommendations shaping organizational strategy and informing provincial policy development

● Synthesized complex academic research into accessible knowledge mobilization products—briefs, summaries, visual communications—that bridged evidence and practice for diverse stakeholder audiences

● Facilitated workshops on evaluation frameworks and analytic methodologies to rigorously measure program outcomes, assess community impact, and demonstrate value to funders.

● Translated research findings into practical implementation models and organizational resources, strengthening capacity for sustained, equity-centered youth programming

● youth-led programming

Constituency Assistant - City of Toronto Jan 2025 – Jul 2025

● Managed resolution of 250+ constituent cases monthly through strategic coordination with city divisions, achieving 5% reduction in response time while improving service quality and constituent satisfaction

● Authored high-impact briefing notes and public communications for 2,500+ residents, translating complex municipal policy into accessible information that enhanced civic engagement and transparency

● Monitored and analyzed council motions, committee proceedings, and policy developments through internal government systems, enabling proactive strategic positioning and informed constituent advocacy

● Designed and executed public consultations that captured community priorities and translated grassroots feedback into actionable policy recommendations aligned with municipal frameworks

● Tracked federal immigration policy updates and facilitated cross-institutional dialogue among legal, academic, and community stakeholders to support immigrant constituent needs

● Built and maintained constituent database systems that improved case tracking efficiency, enhanced reporting accuracy, and established accountability metrics Black Youth Fellow & Project Co-Lead - Urban Alliance on Race Relations Jan 2025 – Jun 2025

● Co-led civic engagement project involving 150+ Little Jamaica residents

● Created toolkits, presentations, and outreach materials amplifying community advocacy

● Engaged youth, elders, nonprofits, businesses, and municipal staff in dialogue Community Support & Intake Worker - One City Peterborough 2021 – 2022

● Conducted intakes, needs assessments, and system navigation for youth, families, and marginalized residents

● Supported individuals facing homelessness, food insecurity, mental health challenges, and crisis situation

● Provided referrals to shelters, legal supports, settlement services, income benefits, and mental health resources

● Maintained accurate case notes, intake documentation, schedules, and follow-up systems

● Cultivated a culturally safe, welcoming environment for racialized and newcomer communities

Community Support Worker & Social Media Lead — Centre for Gender & Social Justice

(CGSJ) 2020 – 2021

● Provided peer support and resource navigation for BIPOC, queer, and survivor-identified students

● Developed high-impact educational campaigns on gender justice, anti-violence, and mental wellbeing

● Organized campus engagement events, workshops, and community circle

● Collaborated with student groups and faculty on equity and safety initiative Freelance Youth EDI Specialist - Anti-Racism & Equity Consultant 2020 – 2024

● Delivered workshops and digital campaigns on anti-oppressive practice and youth belonging

● Supported Black, Brown, and Indigenous students navigating academic and institutional barriers

● Advised departments and student unions on inclusive programming and policy concerns Created toolkits, community briefs, and digital resources advancing youth-led advocacy Primerica Part time, Remote, ON - Financial Advisor Sept 2023– July 2024

● Provided personalized financial guidance and solutions, including insurance, investments, and retirement planning, to individuals and families

● Built and maintained client relationships, assessing financial goals and developing tailored strategies to meet short- and long-term needs

● Conducted market research and prospecting to generate new business opportunities and expand client base

● Delivered presentations and educational workshops on financial literacy, insurance products, and investment options

● Maintained compliance with regulatory requirements and internal company policies while ensuring accurate documentation and reporting

● Collaborated with team members and management to achieve performance targets and support organizational growth.

Project & Partnerships Coordinator - Black Lives Matter Nogojiwanong Dec 2022 – May 2025

● Built partnerships with youth-serving agencies, schools, shelters, and arts organizations

● Coordinated programming amplifying the voices of Black rural youth

● Managed volunteers, tracked outcomes, and supported policy and advocacy work TECHNICAL SKILLS

Airtable • Trello • Google Workspace • Microsoft 365 • Canva Zoom/Teams facilitation • Case management tools • CRM systems Knowledge mobilization • Social media strategy • Evaluation frameworks

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