Meet Lingying Zhou, a student who graduated from our Shelter Support Worker Micro-Credential program this past August, 2024.
The Shelter Support Worker Micro-Credential program is a free 6-month online course that gives participants hands-on experience in either family violence or homeless shelters. The goal of the micro-credential program is to help fill staffing gaps with adequately equipped staff for shelters across Manitoba to better support service users. Offered in partnership with Red River College and funded by WAGE Manitoba, this program is open to existing shelter support workers who want to upgrade their skills or prospective shelter workers who want to jump-start their career in this sector.
We were happy to connect Lingying with one of our member shelters, Ikwe Widdjiitiwin, to do her work placement. We wish Lingying success in her practicum and hope it leads to a permanent work placement.
A lightly edited Q&A with Lingying follows.
Q: Why did you join the Shelter Support Worker program?
Lingying: I think Shelter Support Workers are very important to our community. This work helps meet foundational community needs, giving people emotional and psychological support and helping with community stability by addressing homelessness and poverty. Our work contributes to a healthier, more equitable community. It fosters a sense of compassion, inclusion, and resilience within the broader community.
Q: What was your favorite part of the program?
Lingying: The aspects of the program focused on trauma-informed care were my favourite. More and more people around me suffer from different kinds of trauma, including youth and adults. I feel inspired to understand it better and give care to those affected.
Q: What would you say to people who are interested in working in the shelter sector?
Lingying: I would encourage them to work in this field if they enjoy communicating with people and giving care to others.
