Homaira Adel

Over fifteen years of experience providing one-on-one and direct services, primarily serving the needs of low-income, multi-racial, and multi-lingual refugees, newcomers and immigrant communities with extensive knowledge and background in immigration, social, health, education, housing and employment issues. Developed and implemented care plans for individuals living with mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse, trauma, and homelessness, to help turn their lives around.

General Counsellor North York Centre - COSTI Immigrant Services - Toronto, Ontario

(2025-11 - 2025-03)

• Provided intake and assessment of needs, barriers and assets in the development of settlement plan for all new immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers
• Assisted clients with informational, referrals, documentation, crisis intervention and supporting counselling through a Case Management service model
• Provided services in person and virtually
• Referred clients to appropriate community and social service agencies for additional support needed
• Advocated and promoted agency services and programs
• Maintained administrative records and prepared required reports and input data with COSTI and ICARE databases
• Communicated with government, community groups, educational institutions and volunteer services for clients

Settlement Counsellor (NSP) - Temporary - Settlement Assistance & Family Support Services - Toronto, Ontario

(2021-12 - 2022-03)

• Provided assistance to newcomers to make informed decisions about their settlement and understand life in Canada
• Conducted series of needs assessments, referral activities that contribute to clients, SAFSS and NSP being aware of newcomer settlement needs, and referred clients to appropriate services and programs both within and outside of SAFSS
• Provided information and awareness services through practical guidance to assist clients in coping with the problems of everyday living, e.g., housing, transportation, access to social and health services and more
• Conducted workshops, information sessions, and one-on-one interviews with newcomer families; planned, co-ordinated and implemented settlement-related activities and presentations for large and small audiences
• Worked with other departments within SAFSS to access resources that will help clients overcome settlement barriers
• Intake, assessed and created action plans for clients, provided information and referral services, advocating, interpretation, and case management
• Maintained files and kept information current on OCMS database, including monthly/quarterly/annual progress reports and ensuring target deliverables as per funding contracts
• Worked collaboratively with agencies and service providers in the Greater Toronto Area through outreach and promotional activities, so that they became aware of and motivated to access SAFSS services
• Provided services in a supportive and sensitive manner maintaining client confidentiality
• Maintained updated information on services, resources and policies that are relevant to the settlement process
• Submitted regular administrative reports as required by SAFSS, complying with SAFSS personnel policy and Standards and Code of Conduct
• Maintained Lines of Communication and Lines of Responsibility
• Communicated regularly with the Program Manager and handled additional related tasks as required by Program Manager

Social Worker/Community Worker - Aga Khan Council for Ontario - Toronto, Ontario

(2009-10 - 2021-06)

• Provided professional support with compassion to low-income, multi-racial, multi-lingual community members facing hardships, including newcomers, immigrants, and refugees
• Provided leadership in enabling families to take ownership of their advancement
• Conducted intake assessments of newcomers and their families, including thorough assessments, counselling, referrals, practical assistance, problem-solving, and monitoring therapeutic progress
• Supervised case management for clients experiencing or living in undesirable socio-economic, health and educational circumstance
• Worked with other social service professionals across Canada in developing creative 'out of the box' beneficiary-centric initiatives
• Provided support either in person or on the phone, during situations of instability, emergency, or crisis, followed the protocols and managed the situation to ensure security and integrity of those implicated – both the clients/families as well as the volunteers
• Provided coaching and mentoring to QLIP (Quality Life Improvement Program) case managers and SSS (Social Support Services) volunteers; developed and presented training materials as required to support these volunteers
• Developed and managed relationships with external service providers to leverage appropriate resources for the clients/families
• Engaged in administrative duties, maintained formal case management documentation, and provided insight/input on trends within QLIP and SSS and in the social support industry
• Attended weekly case conferences to evaluate the status of the families, participated in the planning of next steps and ensure follow up until completion of the identified steps

School Settlement Worker - Centre for Information and Community Services (CICS) - Toronto, Ontario

(2009-02 - 2009-08)

• Conducted assessments, shared information and referral services to newcomer families, immigrants, and refugees, to facilitate adjustment into the school system and in the process of settlement
• Supported families with information about services available in the school and surrounding community based on their needs
• Coordinated referrals and access to appropriate services both in the school and the community
• Established and maintained contact with newcomer families to determine their needs and issues
• Promoted culturally sensitive links between school staff and newcomer families
• Organized, planned, and implemented group sessions on topics related to settlement
• Maintained updated information on services, resources, and policies relevant to the school system and settlement process
• Prepared and submitted accurate and timely statistical progress reports to the Cluster Coordinator as required

Case Management/Settlement Counselling /Community Development Facilitator (Field Placement) - Working Women Community Center Toronto - Toronto, Ontario

(2008 - 2008)

Case Management/Settlement Counselling (Field Placement) - South Asian Family Support Services - Toronto, Ontario

(2007 - 2007)

Assistant/Settlement Services - Immigrant Women's Economic Development (IWED) - Toronto, Ontario

(2003 - 2005)

Parent's Coordinator - Ismaili Community Resource Centre - Toronto, Ontario

(1999 - 2005)

Secretary - Afghan Women's Association of Ontario - Toronto, Ontario

(1994 - 1995)

Coordinator - Learning Center for Afghan Refugee Students - Toronto, Ontario

(1993 - 1994)

Diploma - Social Service Worker - Centennial College (2008)

Bachelor of Social Science Degree - Social Science - University of Kabul (1989)