Healing Through Service

My Journey With the Community Support Social Work Diploma


In 2012, I began a transformative chapter of my life when I enrolled in the Community Support Social Work diploma program at Sprott Shaw College in Kelowna, BC. That one-year journey didn’t just educate me—it prepared me for a life of serving people in need of emotional, physical, and spiritual healing.

Whether you’re exploring a career in human services or searching for trauma-informed care, this post shares my journey and how faith-based mental health support can bring light to even the darkest places.


What Is a Community Support Worker?

The Community Support Worker – Social Services diploma is a hands-on, comprehensive program that prepares students to assist individuals and families dealing with mental health challenges, trauma recovery, domestic violence, and crisis situations.

At Sprott Shaw College, the course gave me the tools to work with:

  • Children and youth
  • Families in transition
  • Individuals experiencing trauma
  • The elderly and those in palliative care

Course Highlights

This diploma went beyond academics—it helped shape my personal calling to serve and support others with grace and empathy. Here’s an overview of the key topics covered, with some personal insight into what made them so meaningful.

🧠 Mental Health & Emotional Resilience

  • Counseling Techniques
  • Adolescent Mental Health First Aid (extra course completed)
  • Crisis Intervention and Prevention
  • Substance Use & Addiction Recovery
  • PTSD Awareness & Trauma-Informed Care

👶 Child and Family Development

  • Early Childhood Development
  • Parent-Child Relationship Support
  • Support for At-Risk Youth and Teens

Compassionate End-of-Life

  • Palliative Care for the Dying
  • End-of-Life Support

Social Justice & Community Advocacy

  • Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Abuse
  • Conflict Resolution Skills
  • Cultural Competency
  • Navigation of Community Resources and Public Services

📋 Practicum Placement

I completed my practicum at Community Resources Kelowna, where I worked in parent-child support—an experience that brought theory to life and gave me valuable real-world insight into family advocacy and child welfare services.


Academic Success & Personal Growth

I completed the program with mostly B’s and several A’s, especially excelling in counseling-related modules. My strengths came through in areas such as:

  • One-on-one emotional support
  • Crisis management
  • Active listening and empathy

My lived experience—including surviving PTSD, childhood divorce, and an abusive marriage—gave me a deep understanding of pain, healing, and resilience. These trials became the roots of my strength and shaped my perspective on Christian counseling and trauma recovery.


Applying the Diploma Today

Since graduating, I’ve worked in both paid and volunteer roles, using the tools and training from my diploma to serve others. Now, I apply this knowledge on my faith-based wellness website, offering:

  • Resources for healing
  • Faith-informed mental health guidance
  • Support for people dealing with emotional, spiritual, and physical brokenness

Final Thoughts

The Community Support Social Work diploma from Sprott Shaw College equipped me with the practical tools and emotional intelligence to make a lasting difference in people’s lives. But it also confirmed a deeper truth: healing is both a journey and a calling.

If you’re drawn to the work of helping people overcome trauma, or you’re in need of hope yourself, know that you’re not alone.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3


Let’s Connect

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👉 Contact me or leave a comment below.
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