Beyond the ordinary

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”
― Maya Angelou

My story

As a Nigerian-born woman navigating new terrain in Canada, I have learned that growth begins at the intersection of identity, adversity, and purpose. My path into Social Service Work is deeply personal — shaped by lived experiences of mental health challenges, migration, intergenerational trauma, and resilience.

I chose this profession because I believe in the healing power of connection, the strength of community, and the importance of storytelling. This framework reflects my evolving journey — a living document rooted in my values, enriched by education, and illuminated by lived experience.

A Defining Moment in My Career Journey

One moment that solidified my passion for Social Service Work wasn’t in a classroom — it was in a quiet conversation with my parents, after years of silently carrying the weight of my mental health struggles.

Growing up in a Nigerian household, mental health was often dismissed or misunderstood. Depression was labeled as weakness. Anxiety was seen as overreacting. And therapy? That was for "other people." For a long time, I internalized that stigma — believing I had to stay strong, keep going, smile through it all.

But when I finally found the courage to seek help — through counseling at college — something shifted in me. I started naming what I was feeling, learning tools to stay present, and slowly unpacking the trauma I had long buried. Still, the hardest part was explaining it to my family.

I remember sitting across from my parents, heart pounding, trying to explain what Dissociative Identity Disorder was. I wasn’t asking for their full understanding — just their listening. It wasn’t perfect. There was confusion, even fear. But there was also love. That conversation marked the start of a new journey — not just for me, but for how we related to each other.

That experience made it clear: I want to be the person I needed back then — someone who understands the quiet battles, who sees past stigma, who creates safe spaces for healing, especially in Black and marginalized communities.

My story isn’t one of having it all figured out. It’s one of walking through the fire and using the flames to light a path for others.

Skills & Style

Skills

  • Active listening & empathy

  • Workshop facilitation & community building

  • Peer mentorship

  • Collaborative communication

  • Program development

  • Crisis de-escalation

Style

Gentle, warm, strengths-focused, creative, and trauma-informed.

Professional Interests

  • Mental health awareness and advocacy

  • Suicide intervention

  • Trauma-informed care

  • Culturally responsive practice

  • Community outreach 

Core Values & Ethics That Guide my work

Cultural Humility

“Every story is unique, and I meet people where they are — not where I assume they should be.”
In a diverse community like Kitchener-Waterloo, cultural humility means actively listening, unlearning biases, and valuing each person’s lived experience. As a Black immigrant woman, I understand how cultural stigma, language, and family expectations can shape someone’s journey. I use that awareness to create safer, more inclusive spaces for healing.

Empowerment through Connection

“I believe real change begins when people feel heard, respected, and seen.”
Whether it's a newcomer student, a struggling parent, or someone facing mental health challenges, my goal is to support people in recognizing their strengths and reconnecting to community. I don’t “fix” — I walk beside, advocate, and help them build bridges to support systems that reflect their needs.

Integrity and Advocacy

“I use my voice to challenge injustice and stand up for those who have been silenced.”
In our community, where housing insecurity, mental health stigma, and systemic barriers affect many, I am committed to ethical practice, honesty, and advocacy. I uphold professional standards while also pushing for policies and practices that reflect equity and compassion.

My practice is grounded in the core ethical standards of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). These guide me to:

Practice with integrity, respect, and transparency

Uphold confidentiality and informed consent

Center the dignity and self-determination of each individual

Maintain professional boundaries and a non-judgmental approach

 

Ethics are not just policies to me — they are lived values I honor in every interaction.

Theoretical Orientations

My practice is rooted in diverse but interconnected theories that reflect the complexity of people’s lives. These frameworks guide how I support, understand, and walk alongside individuals in their healing and growth:

Strengths-Based Theory

I believe that every individual carries inner strengths, even in the midst of struggle. My role is to help clients recognize and reclaim their resilience, capacities, and lived knowledge. This perspective shifts focus from “what’s wrong” to “what’s strong.”

Anti-Oppressive Theory

As a Black woman and an immigrant, I understand how systems can marginalize certain identities. Anti-oppresive theory reminds me to not just support individuals, but also challenge the social, cultural, and institutional barriers that limit them. It means asking hard questions about power, privilege, and inclusion — even within helping spaces.

Trauma-Informed Care

I work from the understanding that trauma shapes how people relate to others, to systems, and to themselves. I prioritize safety, choice, and empowerment in every interaction — recognizing that healing happens in relationship, not in isolation.

Person-Centered Theory

I deeply respect the individual as the expert of their own life. I offer empathy, unconditional positive regard, and presence — creating a nonjudgmental space where people can explore, grow, and just be.

Practice Framework

My professional practice framework is both a map and a mirror — a map that guides me through practice, and a mirror that reflects who I am becoming as a social service worker.

Foundations

My approach begins with authentic relationship — where trust, dignity, and humanity come first. I slow down to truly listen, learn, and connect with clients on their terms.

Guiding Principles

Meet people where they are, emotionally, culturally, and developmentally.

Do no harm — move gently, ask permission, respect boundaries.

Name the systems — challenge social inequities, even in subtle ways.

Use story, art, and creativity as healing and educational tools.

The Work in Action

In practical terms, my framework shows up through:

  • Co-creating goals and supports with clients, not for them

  • Integrating wellness tools, reflection activities, and peer-led spaces (e.g., SHINE Series)

  • Bridging resources between school, home, and community

  • Being a consistent, culturally-aware support in chaotic systems

Evolving Practice

This framework grows with me — as I continue learning, unlearning, and connecting. I return to it often, not to perfect it, but to stay grounded in why I do this work:

To hold space, to build bridges, and to spark change — one conversation, one relationship, one community at a time.