Youth Navigators
Once a trusting relationship is established, our Youth Navigator works with each youth to identify their strengths and develop Case Management Goals. These goals are individualized personal development goals; related to employment, housing, well-being, education, skill and leadership development, mental health and pro-social cultural and recreation opportunities, and so on. They provide advocacy, facilitate community connections and opportunities, work at addressing gaps in services, and break down barriers in participation. Navigators are mobile, and can provide accompaniment to appointments and or assist with transportation if that is a barrier.
Summer Lavalee
Summer is Ojibway from Whitefish River First Nation. She is a first generation 60’s scoop survivor and second generation residential school survivor. Summer graduated in Social Service Work – Native Specialization from Oshki-Wenjack and as valedictorian of her program. It was important for her to attend an Indigenous post-secondary and secondary institution that value Indigenous teaching, culture and traditions as much as western academics. Summer is interested in decolonization and revitalization of Indigenous knowledge and approaches. She is also passionate about environmental issues and enjoys spending time outdoors in her free time. Summer is an advocate for Indigenous rights and issues. Her life-long goal is to support her community and community members in Mino-Bimaadiziwin (the way of a good life).
Jayal Chung
Jayal Chung was born and raised in Thunder Bay, and graduated from Lakehead University with an Honours Bachelor Arts, Anthropology degree. She is passionate to support youth leadership, advocacy skills, and often finds a way to create spaces for community-arts and activism.
Luke
Luke is a graduate of the recreation therapy program at Confederation College, and has been working for the city in one way or another for the past 5 years. During his time with the city he has worked at children and youths summer camps, facilitated after school programming, taught skating lessons, and maintained parks and cut grass. His most recent job with the city, before becoming a Navigator was also with the Youth Inclusion Program as a Program Coordinator.
Luke has always had a passion for working with people, and wants to help increase the quality of life for everyone around him. Through his many life and work experiences, he found that he enjoyed working with youth more then any other population.
When Luke is not working as a Navigator, he can often be found outdoors or playing sports. Those are two of his biggest passions aside from his career. He enjoys camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking and almost anything else involving the great outdoors. He also plays multiple sports but his favourites are football and hockey.