Meet the Herd: Samantha
Meet one of the Zebra Centre’s amazing Justice Navigators Samantha! She shares all about what it means to be our EPS Justice Navigator, her proudest moment since joining the Zebra Herd and much more!
Q: Tell us about your role as Justice Navigator.
Samantha: My role as the EPS Justice Navigator consists of connecting with families and Crown Prosecutors for all the matters occurring at the Edmonton Court Law’s Building. When a kiddo receives their subpoena to attend court, I connect with the caregivers to arrange court preparation to help them testify. I am working daily on updating a live Excel sheet that tracks all of Zebra’s upcoming court matters, ensuring that all kiddos who come to Zebra are supported on the day of court. I am also connecting with Zebra’s amazing Court Accompaniment volunteers to provide them will all the necessary information they need to support kiddos at court. Lastly, when I am not in the office, I get to support kiddos and their families at the courthouse while they are testifying.
Q: What does a typical “day in the life” as Justice Navigator look like?
Samantha: My days look different every day; some days are spent sitting at my desk connecting with Crown Prosecutors and families scheduling court preparations and meetings with the Crown. My days can also include supporting Crown meetings at the Zebra Centre and preparing kiddos to share their story at court. On other days I get to be out in the community at the courthouse where I get to support kiddos while they are testifying or supporting families at decisions and/or sentencings.
Q: What do you love most about your role?
Samantha: What I love most about my role is getting to be an advocate for kiddos who have to go through the Justice System after experiencing abuse. I get to be the bigger voice for those who are not always heard, and I can ensure that they receive all the child-friendly accommodations available to them.
Q: What is your proudest moment at the Zebra Centre so far?
Samantha: I have had a lot of proud moments at Zebra, but my proudest had to be when I got to be a part of the small group that represented Zebra at the What Lies Beneath Conference in Winnipeg.
Q: What motivates you to show your stripes (your why)?
Samantha: What motivates me to show my stripes is again to be the bigger voice for children and youth who aren’t always heard and who are not aware of all the supports available to them. I will never take for granted that I get to show up and be someone's support person during a time of crisis.
Q: Lastly, share a surprising or fun fact about you
Samantha: I am currently completing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology which is getting me one step closer to one day becoming a Registered Play Therapist.