Meet the people behind the great programs and services offered at Ometz! Our colleague Sandy Neim discusses Case Management services, and how our team provides support with the objective of helping individuals and families move forward in their lives.

What is your work position and how long have you been working at Ometz?

I have been working as a Case Manager at Ometz for the past eight years primarily with individuals and families who are vulnerable in different ways. Over the past year, I furthermore had the privilege of assisting in the development of the Young Adult Support Program, a new and meaningful program for young adults with special challenges.

What are your day-to-day activities?

On a daily basis I work with individuals identifying their strengths, their needs and their goals. I connect them to internal and external resources, coordinating and advocating with dossier partners. I do financial reviews, offer budget counseling, discuss parenting strategies, and provide supportive counseling all within the objective of helping individuals and families move forward in their lives. When needed, I also conduct home visits, meet with individuals in the community and accompany clients to medical appointments or government offices.

What can families and individuals expect from Case Management services?

• Our objective is to develop a partnership based on trust and respect in order to support individuals and families towards self-sufficiency. Workers assist clients in developing and implementing action plans focusing on their priority needs.
• Case Management provides quality services for individuals and families who often fall between the gaps of public services.
• We provide a confidential, safe place for individuals to express themselves and seek support.
• We offer professional knowledge of community based and public resources to best meet the needs of individuals regarding their unique situations.
• We connect clients to the wide variety of programs offered at Ometz including tutoring, mentoring, skill building workshops, family/individual counseling, internships and career training opportunities to name a few.

How will Ometz services for families and individuals evolve in the future?

With the input from our clients, Case Management services is always looking at identifying needs and measuring our outcomes and our services.

We are always initiating new efficient and innovative programs especially centered on youth and young adults to answer those needs.

We will continue to enhance our assistance by offering more training and opportunity for growth.

We will further expand our amazing support through our Ometz volunteers. My work experience has allowed me to observe just how life changing a good, positive relationship with a mentor can be for some of our youth. I have also witnessed the benefits that our tutors provide for our children both academically and socially allowing them to truly reach their potential.
Tutors also contribute in alleviating some of the pressure put on our single parents.

I also see the importance of assisting our clients in finding volunteering opportunities for themselves which can break their social isolation, increase their self-esteem and/or provide structure and a sense of pride.

Ometz has recognized the need to create a response to individuals on the Autism spectrum and individuals with marginal challenges who often fall through the gaps of services. My hope is that our services progress in this area.

I am privileged to have witnessed the ongoing evolvement and quality of Ometz services and programs. Ometz is a progressive, inclusive organization and a vital part of the landscape of our Jewish community of which I am proud to be part.

To find out more about support services for families and individuals, visit http://www.ometz.ca/