COURTENEY YANEZ
Auckland,AUK
Summary
Student Support professional and Social Practice graduate with experience providing holistic, student-centred case management across academic, financial, personal and wellbeing needs. Skilled in assessment, triage, advocacy, referral, financial hardship support, complex wellbeing and culturally responsive practice.
Overview
4
4
years of post-secondary education
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Student Support & Scholarship Advisor
Unitec
01.2024 - Current
- Provide holistic, student-centred case management for students experiencing academic, financial, personal and wellbeing barriers, using assessment, triage, internal and external referrals, advocacy and follow-up to support student success and navigate concerns or complaints.
- Provided financial hardship support, including StudyLink guidance and grant applications, enabling students to understand requirements, prepare documentation, and navigate complex processes.
- Managed student support services across Waitākere and Mt Albert campuses, coordinating appointments, drop-ins, urgent needs, and follow-up to ensure continuity, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.
- Adapt communication and support to meet diverse student needs, including neurodivergent students and students with disabilities, while supporting understanding, confidence and autonomy.
- Oversee food sovereignty support across two campuses, coordinating stock, ordering, demand, food rotation and emergency provision to maintain a responsive, accessible service while minimizing waste
Wāhine Mental Health & Transitional Housing
Te Whare Hinātore
01.2024 - 07.2024
- Supported wāhine through transitions by implementing holistic, trauma-informed approaches that enhanced safety, wellbeing, and achievement of individual goals.
- Applied risk assessment, triage, and conflict resolution in a shared residential environment to effectively respond to complex and changing needs.
- Facilitated activities within kaupapa Māori frameworks that fostered connection, empowerment, and self-worth, enhancing overall wellbeing.
Part-time Community Support
Owairaka Community Club
07.2023 - 01.2024
- Completed six-month professional placement supporting adults with mental health challenges through creative arts and community activities, enhancing their social engagement and emotional wellbeing.
- Continued in paid part-time work following placement, applying strengths-based and community development approaches to promote participation, belonging, wellbeing and social connection.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines, ensuring effective communication and resource sharing.
- Assisted club members in achieving their personal goals and maintaining independence. of the club to facilitate their own huis and maintain autonomy.
Youth Community Facilitator
Massey Matters / West Harbour Community Hub
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Facilitated and engaged in youth programmes in paid part-time role, promoting community involvement and support.
- Built strong relationships with young people and community members, addressing needs and fostering participation and wellbeing.
- Completed six-month community development placement, enhancing connection, participation, wellbeing, and access to local resources.
Customer Service & Retail
Kmart & The Warehouse
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Delivered customer-focused service in high-volume environments, addressing diverse needs while effectively managing competing priorities and collaborating with team members.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
Youth Community Coordinator / Volunteer
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
01.2015 - 01.2020
- Supported young people through community-based activities, fostering connections and promoting wellbeing.
- Developed long-term experience working alongside young people, responding to diverse needs and creating safe, inclusive spaces for participation.
- Coordinated community outreach events to engage local members and promote participation.
- Managed communication channels, ensuring members received timely updates on church activities.
- Organized service projects to support local needs and foster community involvement.
- Assisted in planning and executing fundraising events, generating resources for community programs.
- Prepared budgets, timelines, and project plans for upcoming initiatives.
Early Childhood & Family Support
Piwaka Early Learning Centre & Lollipops; Private Nannying
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Provided responsive, strengths-based care and communication to support children with diverse developmental, behavioural, and wellbeing needs.
- Collaborated with children, families, and colleagues to enhance individual wellbeing and participation in activities.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Education
Bachelor of Social Practice - Working Towards Social Work Registration (SWRB)
Unitec
07.2019 - 12.2023
Skills
- Case management
- Assessment & triage
- Referral & service coordination
- Financial hardship & StudyLink
- Conflict resolution & risk management
- Mental health & wellbeing
- Trauma-informed support
- Kaupapa Māori & culturally responsive practice
- Accessibility & neurodiversity
- Community development
- Community engagement
- Resource coordination
- Program facilitation
- Relationship building
- Communication skills
- Client management
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Empathy skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Interpersonal skills
Hobbies and Interests
- Dance
- Painting & expressive arts
- Poetry
- Travel & new experiences
- Nature & outdoors
Timeline
Student Support & Scholarship Advisor
Unitec
01.2024 - Current
Wāhine Mental Health & Transitional Housing
Te Whare Hinātore
01.2024 - 07.2024
Part-time Community Support
Owairaka Community Club
07.2023 - 01.2024
Youth Community Facilitator
Massey Matters / West Harbour Community Hub
01.2022 - 12.2022
Customer Service & Retail
Kmart & The Warehouse
01.2021 - 01.2022
Bachelor of Social Practice - Working Towards Social Work Registration (SWRB)
Unitec
07.2019 - 12.2023
Early Childhood & Family Support
Piwaka Early Learning Centre & Lollipops; Private Nannying
01.2016 - 01.2019
Youth Community Coordinator / Volunteer
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
01.2015 - 01.2020