Working Here

Our employees are "amazing, fantastic, hard working, knowledgeable, dedicated, compassionate, client-focused, loyal, sincere, welcoming, supportive, respectful, encouraging, kind, and accepting". These are some of the adjectives our management team uses to describe their staff. "They are a diverse and multicultural group who all bring something to the table that others can learn from. The quality of services we provide is a combination of all their unique strengths and talents."

Karen Liphard, Manager Community Services: “Traverse has a culture of kindness and acceptance. With the implementation of various committees, all employees can bring forward their own ideas. I could not ask to work with a better team.”

Sabrina Jesso, Manager Residential Services: “Traverse has one of the best collaborative, engaging and motivating cultures that I have had the experience to work within.”

Jaime Harper, Service Coordinator Transitional Living: “Traverse does a very good job at making people feel part of the larger picture and keeping people aware of what is happening in all facets of the organization.”

Jim Izzard, Manager Transitional Living: “Traverse has been nurtured to be one of the most progressive organizations through collaborating or partnering with other agencies, investing in focused training for staff, and encouraging engagement with clients and their families.”

Batoul, one of our community facilitators, is very eloquent in describing how she feels about her job, her co-workers and Traverse Independence. This is her testimonial.

What is your favourite part of the job?

I love what I do at Traverse Independence. Knowing that you can make a difference in someone's life is the most rewarding part of my job. I don't look at my job merely as a profession but as a service to the community and our clients. What a true bounty to be able to make someone smile, to be able to hear them out and together Work on improving their lives. 

I am grateful for the fact that at Traverse Independence everyone is provided with an opportunity to learn, grow and develop their capacities and capabilities. Every team member is respected for who they are, and their unique qualities are celebrated while support is provided for areas of improvement.

What is your work environment like?

Here at Traverse Independence we are a family and a team. We practice cooperation and coherence. We work together as we all have one common goal and that is to provide the best quality service to our clients and their families. All our questions are answered in a timely manner. Support, advice and trainings are always available. Opportunities to work on team building and improving our connections and relationships are frequently provided. Everyone tries to be as flexible and understanding with schedule changes, call-ins, and other changes that happen from time to time. 

Describe a typical part of the day?

I am assigned clients and have a schedule that allows me to visit them during the day. Every client has unique needs, interests, and preferences. I assist them with building life skills, setting goals to improve their quality of life, physical and mental well-being, and I accompany them to their appointments such as doctor visits. I work closely with other health care professionals such as occupational therapists, social workers, and psychologists. Depending on the client, I will write a report of the visit and share it with my supervisor. Effective communication is an important part of each day as I share all the messages from clients, their families and health care professionals with the rest of the team. I welcome all the challenges as opportunities to grow and develop. 

Thank you, Traverse Independence.

Batoul Taghizadeh-Refahi, Community Facilitator

Brain training for frontline staff

"Hi Aaron, I just want to start by saying thank you for giving me the opportunity to take part in the Brain Basics course. It was very informative and a wonderful experience. I feel now that I have a better understanding of what my position requires of me and in turn I am able to apply it appropriately. There were so many things about this course that were insightful but one thing that stands out for me is hearing the panel of ABI survivors and family members.  So once again thank you for this experience because knowing really is growing! 

Thanks, Sandra"