Calvin FITZGERALD
Buffalo
Summary
Dedicated professional with extensive experience in peer mentoring and emotional support. Known for effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and strong advocacy strategies that empower clients to navigate recovery and improve their quality of life.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Peer Support Specialist
Recovery Options Made easy
Buffalo
11.2023 - Current
- Provided emotional support to individuals navigating recovery challenges.
- Facilitated peer-led support groups to encourage open communication and sharing.
- Assisted clients in developing coping strategies for daily life stressors.
- Collaborated with treatment teams to create personalized care plans.
- Educated clients about available resources and recovery options.
- Listened actively to client concerns and offered empathetic responses.
- Documented client interactions and progress accurately for team review.
- Promoted a positive recovery environment through community engagement activities.
- Assisted clients with developing healthy coping skills to manage stressors.
- Actively listened and responded empathetically when interacting with clients.
- Educated clients on available community resources that could enhance their quality of life.
- Shared details regarding recovery and wellness principles focused on helping others struggling to stay focused on personal recovery journeys.
- Helped individuals overcome harmful drug and alcohol addictions.
- Led support groups and facilitated one-on-one meetings with struggling individuals.
- Instilled hope by promoting positive self-disclosure and actively listening to client needs.
- Maintained accurate records of client progress through use of electronic medical record system.
- Coordinated referrals for additional services as needed based on client needs.
- Aided individuals by developing wellness plans and advance directives to achieve goals.
- Provided crisis intervention services to individuals in need of emotional and mental support.
- Attended trainings focused on best practices for working with individuals experiencing mental health issues.
- Conducted assessments to identify needs, strengths, and resources of clients.
- Researched relevant topics related to mental health services or treatments.
- Monitored client activities in order to assess the effectiveness of treatment plans.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care for clients.
- Provided feedback regarding program operations and improvement opportunities.
- Encouraged open communication between all parties involved in the client's case.
- Listened to personal stories, asked probing questions and offered knowledgeable advice for different situations.
- Completed detailed documentation of sessions, patient notes and recommendations.
- Met with clients to understand individual needs and develop personalized counseling plans.
Executive Director of Youth Ministry
Refreshing Springs Ministries
Buffalo
01.1998 - Current
- Led strategic planning initiatives for community outreach programs and services.
- Coordinated volunteer training sessions to enhance service delivery and engagement.
- Recruited, trained, mentored, evaluated, coached, and managed staff members to ensure success in achieving their goals.
- Coordinated special events such as conferences or workshops designed to raise awareness about the organization's mission.
- Implemented quality metrics to track business needs and lead diverse projects. To work alongside ready youth mentoring, encouraging and strengthening those to become leaders in their community. To work with troubled youth and families from a Christian perspective, strengthening them for a better future.
Peer Navigator
Erie County Health Department
Buffalo
01.2000 - 08.2005
- Assisted clients in navigating health services and resources.
- Provided information on community health programs and services available.
- Supported individuals in completing health-related applications and forms.
- Coordinated outreach efforts to increase community engagement and awareness.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to enhance service delivery for clients.
- Documented client interactions and maintained accurate case records.
- Empowered clients by sharing personal experiences and strategies for self-advocacy.
- Developed and updated holistic individualized service plan for each client, covering health care, housing, financial, social support, vocational and educational and crisis prevention.
- Empowered clients through active listening, positive reinforcement, and education about self-advocacy skills.
- Provided emotional support during times of distress or transition.
- Provided crisis intervention when needed.
- Attended staff meetings and trainings as required by the organization.
- Actively participated in professional development opportunities related to peer navigator roles.
- Served as a role model demonstrating healthy coping strategies.
- Implemented evidence-based practices when working with clients.
- Educated clients on resources and services available to them, such as housing, healthcare, mental health counseling, job training.
- Confirmed patients received necessary support services such as medical care, housing and public benefits.
- Worked collaboratively with physicians, staff and other health care professionals to develop, implement and evaluate integrated and comprehensive plans of care for patients.
- Advocated for patient needs to healthcare professionals.
- Enhanced patient quality of life, sense of autonomy and self-determination for health care management by delivering educational resources and explaining outreach programs.
- Educated clients on options to assist in making informed decisions.
- Answered calls and interacted with community members to provide information on advocacy services.
- Helped people enroll in programs, arrange transportation and coordinate paperwork.
- Assisted individuals with navigating health care systems, appointments and classes.
- Advised on policy development and assisted in community program implementation.
- Delivered healthy living and disease management information to specific population groups.
Education
Food Service Management
Erie Community College
Buffalo, NY01-1999
Skills
- Crisis intervention
- Peer mentoring
- Care coordination
- Resource navigation
- Case documentation
- Community outreach
- Program development
- Volunteer management
- Team collaboration
- Active listening
- Conflict resolution
- Emotional intelligence
- Advocacy strategies
- Strategic planning
- Public speaking
- Providing direction
- Empathy development
- Motivational interviewing
- Exemplary communication
- Wellness recovery action plan
- Relationship building skills
- Recovery assistance and support
- Effective collaboration and interaction
Timeline
Peer Support Specialist
Recovery Options Made easy
11.2023 - Current
Peer Navigator
Erie County Health Department
01.2000 - 08.2005
Executive Director of Youth Ministry
Refreshing Springs Ministries
01.1998 - Current
Food Service Management
Erie Community College