Meet the Herd: Nadia
Meet Nadia, one of the Zebra Centre’s amazing volunteers! She shares with us what she loves about her role as Child Advocate, what a shift typically looks like for her, and more!
Q: Tell us about your role as a Child Advocate at the Zebra Centre.
Nadia: As a Child Advocate, I work directly with children and their families/caregivers to support and empower them as they navigate the court system and other challenges that come with the aftermath of abuse and trauma. My role is to be a trusted point of contact throughout what can be a very overwhelming and emotional journey, helping families understand and manage the intricacies of the justice system while addressing the impact of significant trauma.
Q: What does a typical “day in the life” as a child advocate look like?
Nadia: I typically spend my time at the Zebra Centre making calls to our Zebra families. I kick off my shift with my favourite emotional-support drink—a cherry limeade Poppi—and then dive into the calls. During these conversations, I check in with the families to see how they're doing while providing emotional support where needed. I often get to hear positive updates from the family, such as the arrival of a new baby or a fun family vacation, which always brings a smile to my face! I also provide the family with court updates and assist them with navigating the complex Justice system. A key part of my role is to provide families with community and mental health resources, whether it's connecting them with counselling or other services that they may need. While some shifts are more challenging than others, knowing that I can offer reassurance, guidance, or even just a listening ear to caregivers makes me feel grateful to be part of their journey, even if just for a short while.
Q: What do you love most about your role?
Nadia: After spending over three years as a child advocate with the Zebra Centre, it is clear that I love what I do! It is a privilege to have the opportunity to support extraordinarily brave kiddos who walk through our doors and to witness their resilience and strength firsthand. Each child has a unique story, and being part of their journey, even in a small way, is incredibly rewarding. Sometimes, when I pull a file for a kiddo I've contacted a few times, I get to hear from their caregivers about the progress they've made—the healing they've gone through or the big milestones they've reached, like landing their first job or getting their driver's license. It's these moments that remind me why this work is so important.
Q: What is your proudest moment at the Zebra Centre so far?
Nadia: One memory that pops into my head is when I was doing a First Contact two years ago, I had a very shy and nervous kiddo come in. While no kid wants to come to the Zebra, I strive to make it the best experience possible. While the investigator chatted with their caregiver, I pulled out some board games (and my best jokes), which turned the room into a fun giggle fest! When it was time for kiddo to go home, I heard them tell their caregiver that they had the “best time ever!” and I felt so proud and grateful that the zebra exists to make these scary situations into something positive and safe for the kids. It was a reminder of the resilience of children and the power of providing them with a little joy in the midst of tough circumstances.
Q: What motivates you to show your stripes (your why)?
Nadia: My "why" is to be a source of support and stability for these kids and their caregivers during some of their toughest times. I want them to feel heard, understood, and empowered as they navigate the complex journey of healing and justice.
Q: Lastly, share a surprising or fun fact about you.
Nadia: I used to dress up as a Disney Princess, with Positively Princess’d, a volunteer organization that brings joy to children around the city going through difficult circumstances; and one year (before I volunteered with the Zebra Centre), I attended the Zebra Centre Christmas Party as Rapunzel!
We are so grateful to have you as a member of our herd, Nadia! Thank you for giving so much to our Centre and the community we support. We appreciate you!