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Jessica Sauve Griffin

Location

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Biography

I am a CYW, having graduated from CYW programs at Algonquin College, andRyersonUniversity. Most recently, I have earned graduate diplomas inPromoting Resiliency in Children with ADHD, andSupporting & Enhancing Children's Mental Health and my MEd.

I began my child and youth work career working with Family Tree Youth Services' residence for teen girls. Later, I became involved with the violence against women (VAW) sector, working atHarmony House(a second stage woman's shelter), and then went on to develop the family and children's program for a new shelter that was opening,Chrysalis Houseand remained there as the CYW for many years. Throughout this time, I facilitated community based social/life skill, childhood anxiety and children who witness violence groups withEastern Ottawa ResourceCentreandWestern Ottawa Community ResourceCentre. I also had a unique opportunity to develop and coordinate a program at theChildren's Aid Society – the CAS/VAW Integrated Services Project. It was a one year pilot – that is still flourishing, but I returned to my role as afrontlineCYW after the one year pilot; most recently, I worked as a Intake/Crisis at Western Ottawa Community resourcecentre, proving crisis, short term and child/youth/familycounselling.

Over the years, I have taught courses with Algonquin College's CYW Program and in 2012 moved into teachingonlinefor Algonquin'sCentrefor Continuing andOnlineLearning's Child & Youth Worker Program when I had my daughter; and since have had a little boy join our family.

In front of my computer or at the playground is where you will find me most days!

How I came to be in this field

Originally, I had planned to become a family law lawyer; with an interest in the rights of children. I began working in residential care and found my true passion was working frontline, in the lifespace of young people. I enrolled in the CYW program at Algonquin and was sure the legal field was where I wanted to land, and sought out a placement at a correctional program for youth. Instead, I ended up with a placement at a second stage shelter for women and children who had experienced abuse at home; and now still find myself working within the VAW sector.

A favorite saying

There are many profound and meaning making statements I have read and heard over the years, but if I have to choose one, it would be: "Today I am gonna try and change the world" – Johnny Reid (2012).

This is a line from a country song, but it very much resonates for me. As CYWs we may not see the changes we are fostering, or we may not have the power to change the larger systems; but every single day, we can go out there, and know that we are making a difference.

A few thoughts about child and youth care

To have joined a field where meaning making and relationships are central to our practice, I consider myself lucky that my path led me here. The work can be hard, but it sure is profoundly worth it.

Last thing I read, watched, heard, which I would recommend to others

There is so much meaning making in Jodi Picoult's stories. Once, I sobbed so much as I read one that my partner thought something had happened – in our real life! I mark the date on my calendar when a new novel is being released. My Sister's Keeper is one of my favorites.

A favorite Child and Youth Care experience

The one that comes to mind is when I was participating in a children’s Christmas party – 300 children from area shelters attended and we were Santa’s first stop on Christmas Eve. In the smaller group of children who attended from our shelter, one little girl had developed selective mutism as a result of trauma she had experienced. When it was her turn to go up to see Santa, she did so nervously but there was a shine in her eye. She had to be helped to walk back with a huge box and unwrapped it to discovered a gigantic doll house. Her reaction still gives me chills. We described it as ‘screaming out her feet’. Her little feet were tapping so fast s she unwrapped the package, and her smile was brighter than I had ever seen!

A few thoughts for those starting out

• Welcome to a world where relationships are central to your daily work! How lucky you are.
• The problem should always come after the child. For example, rather than the anxious child, consider saying, the child who has anxiety. Problems and challenges are not definitions.
• Seek to connect and understand rather than meet and fix.
• My least favorite term is the label attention seeking; I would suggest rather that children are letting you know that they need you to pay attention – a big difference!

A recommended child and youth care reading link

I can't get enough of the e-journal Child and Youth Care Online. This is not a shameless plug for the site! Teaching online has taken me out of the frontlines of child and youth care practice; Child and Youth Care Online helps me feel connected and current.

My favourite child and youth care-relevant link and why

Common Sense Media is a great tool for CYWs related to digital citizenship. I find myself on there a lot looking at video game and app ratings and checking out their resources for parents and educators.

A writing of my own

Sauve-Griffin, J. (2009). When we stop to ask why: Reflective practice in action. Relational Child & Youth Care Practice,22(3), 44-45.

Influences on my work

So many events and people; those in the CYW field, around the field and out of it.

The children and families I have worked with have influenced me the most. They have reinforced the theory I have learned over the years; and have fostered the ability within myself to develop my own style and find the approaches that fit best with my heart.

Anything else

Be you. Be mindful, be informed, be open, be patient, be kind, but most of all, be you.

Last updated October 2016