Helen Taku Mbenchang

Passionate and experienced caseworker with 9+ years' experience working with nongovernmental organizations in Africa and America, specialized in working with refugees, asylees, internally displaced people and other migrants and vulnerable population needing other forms of humanitarian services, such as food shelter, housing, health, legal services, and other public and social services. Assessing clients closely to help make sure their needs are met in a timely manner with respect and dignity. Advocating their needs by referring them to multiple services and creating effective treatment and recovery plans.

Strongly committed to informed consent privacy wellbeing and quality care.

Case Assistant at Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of New York (2023-02 – 2025-05)

Provided case management electronically through the Helpline, screened callers in need of assistance, and provided timely and accurate information and referral to callers. Developed and maintained an updated and comprehensive list of resources and provided intake to walk-in clients.

• Provided intake and assessment to in-person clients for the Case Management Department
• Provided Case Management to refugees and asylees by delivering counselling, shelter, food, healthcare legal and other social services, using client centered trauma informed care
• Completed applications for rental assistance as needed
• Supported the Case Management Department with administrative duties
• Provided screenings and completed applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in collaboration with the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and other community partners
• Developed, maintained, and updated a comprehensive list of Social Service referral sources and sought to cultivate relationships with these sources
• Provided in-Person/Direct Service for clients when not providing case management via the Helpline
• Coordinated services with various internal CCCS departments, including Preserving Housing; provided crisis intervention and access to services for clients facing eviction
• Provided Case Management to clients from intake through case closure as appropriate
• Entered callers, walk-ins, and case management cases into data management systems and supported the Case Management Department with administrative duties

Case Manager at Poor And need NGO (2014-06 – 2021-05)

Served as Mental health and Addiction counsellor and case manager providing comprehensive services to clients and vulnerable communities.

• Served as Mental health and Addiction counsellor assessing and providing services to clients, evaluating and monitoring improvement
• Advocated for clients and the vulnerable community
• Updated individual and group recovery plans, documenting all changes and observations
• Provided crises intervention to people displaced by armed conflict
• Provided services to survivors of human trafficking
• Conducted national and international fund raising
• Provided families and communities with humanitarian services such as food, water, sanitation, shelter, safe space, health, clothing, and education
• Referred clients and families to community/city/state/and national and other agency resources

Addiction Counsellor at Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) (2021-09 – 2021-12)

Worked as an Addiction Counsellor conducting risk behavior surveys and implementing evidence-based prevention programs in schools.

• Conducted Risk Behavior surveys in some schools in Richmond Virginia
• Implemented Strengthening Families Programs for Parents and Youths 10-14
• Delivered Botsvin Life Skills Training
• Implemented Tobacco Prevention Toolkit
• Delivered Too Good for Drugs program
• Implemented Catch my Breath program
• Attended and presented discussion topics at workshops, trainings, and meetings

Addiction Counsellor at Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA) (2022-04 – 2022-06)

Worked as an Addiction Counsellor promoting latest strategies to fight substance misuse and creating community anti-drug coalitions.

• Promoted latest strategies to fight substance misuse in the American communities
• Created and maintained safe, healthy and drug free communities through the formation of community Coalitions and other strategies
• Created Community Anti-Drug Coalitions in the society
• Attended and presented discussion topics at workshops, trainings, and meetings

Bachelor's in Medical Anthropology – University of Yaoundé 1 (2011 – 2014)

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow in Substance Abuse Education, Treatment and Prevention – Virginia Commonwealth University (2021-06 – 2022-06)