Meet the Herd: Jonah
Meet Jonah, one of the Zebra Centre’s Justice Navigators! They share all about their exciting role on our team, what motivates them to show their stripes, and more!
Q: Tell us about your role as Justice Navigator at the Zebra Centre.
Jonah: As the Justice Navigator (RCMP) I focus on liaising with Rural Crown Prosecution offices and Victim's Services units to ensure the families we support are being taken care of during their court dates. My responsibilities also include providing children & youth with Court preparation and helping with first contacts and court accompaniment as needed.
I also run the newly started Zebra Centre Peer Support Program and DEI group and sit on the Health and Safety Committee so I’m usually doing some sort of program planning or in meetings!
Q: What does a typical “day in the life” as Justice Navigator look like?
Jonah: It really depends on the day! Some days I will be at my desk updating files and connecting with our partners and another day I will be busy with first contacts and Court preps, or might even be spending my day in court! It’s always a mix that keeps things interesting!
Q: What do you love most about your role?
Jonah: I love that it’s a perfect blend of administrative work and getting to work to support the children and youth and their families! It is the kind of job where it’s hard to get bored because there’s always something new coming up and it’s so rewarding to get to help families during a really difficult and stressful time.
Q: What is your proudest moment at the Zebra Centre so far?
Jonah: My proudest moment was when I spent the day in court with a kid who had to be away from their parents the whole day and when we came back the next day, the mom said “I just want you to know that they spent the whole night talking about how much fun they had hanging out with you” I love getting to be the person that can make something as scary as court become fun and as stress free as possible.
Q: What motivates you to show your stripes (your why)?
Jonah: I am always motivated by the quote “be the person you needed when you were younger” I take this into all my work with Children and Youth.
Q: Lastly, share a surprising or fun fact about you.
Jonah: I read 112 books in 2024! I take a reading challenge very seriously!