Deciding which career path to take can be quite difficult when there are so many options to choose from. But if you’re motivated by a desire to truly help others and make a difference in your community, community support worker training could be your ideal professional path – and genuine vocational calling.
Whether you pursue a mental health worker program, addictions worker training, or specialize in working with people with disabilities, you’ll find reward in helping some of society’s most vulnerable members find confidence and hope. Read on to discover all you have to gain by giving back as a community support worker.
Leading the Way Towards Their Best Life
Our society tends to exclude people who face physical, behavioral, or cognitive challenges. Without spaces in which to learn and grow, these individuals are left on the outside – unable to truly participate in the world around them. We all must learn the basics of independence before being able to contribute to society – and it takes someone who is compassionate, patient, and dedicated to teach those basic abilities.
That’s where the community support worker steps in. Working with individuals who need special care, the CSW models and teaches basic life skills such as hygiene, etiquette, money management and safety awareness. He or she also makes personal connections with clients, discovering their interests and talents, planning social interactions and employment opportunities that fit well with their unique abilities. The community support worker does the incredibly important work of facilitating independence. Everyone needs a certain amount of independence to build confidence and feel empowered. Community Support Workers help people with disabilities live their best life – whatever that means to them.
Helping to Build Inclusive Communities
By helping individuals develop social, intellectual and physical skills, the CSW creates opportunities for community involvement – both social and professional. And they enjoy the immeasurable satisfaction of watching their client’s lives change for the better, and knowing that they helped make that change possible.
Once they’ve finished their college training, many community support workers find work with organizations that support people living with disabilities. For example, Semiahmoo House Society is a non-profit organization in Surrey that provides employment training, personal development training and much more to individuals with disabilities. Initiatives like Semiahmoo House are so inspiring to work with because they truly help transform our society into a more accessible and inclusive place. CSWs are on the front lines of this change – of building communities in which everyone has a change to join in and grow.
Supporting Inspiring Transformations
Any community support worker knows that individuals who have developmental disabilities should not only be treated the same as other human beings, but they should also enjoy the same opportunities. If you’re thinking about pursuing this career, you probably believe the same, and want to help make this ideal a reality!
By helping individuals with disabilities connect with their communities, CSWs help clients grow and prosper while breaking down old stigmas and social prejudice. And that brings a tremendous sense of personal reward and professional satisfaction.
What do you think is the most inspiring part of working as a community support worker?
