Ruth Martin
Community Mental Health Worker
I am a Community Health Worker supporting my neighbors with their health in a client centered, strengths based and trauma informed way. It has been an honor to fully realize the methods that have aided my own mental health recovery by putting them into practice with the people I work with. I feel very alive as I’ve made the transition from the design world to working within my community; rediscovering my creativity through supportive and healing connections.
Certificate in Community Health Work & BS in Interactive Media Design. San Francisco
About
MY BACKGROUND
I hold certificates from both the Community Health Work and Community Mental Health Work Programs from City College of San Francisco. I work as a Residential Crisis Counselor at an acute diversion unit that works to further stabilize individuals for transition to the community or a lower level of care. My volunteer work includes advocating for foster youths' needs in the court system and in their daily lives, as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). I have also interned as a street and facility outreach intern at DPH's Assisted Outpatient Treatment, connecting those with severe and acute mental challenges to Citywide AOT Case Management. I have enjoyed supporting my neighbors with their health in a client centered, strengths based and trauma informed way. It has been an honor to fully realize why the methods that have aided my own mental health recovery work, and to put them into practice with others. I feel very alive as I’ve made the transition from the design world to working within my community; rediscovering my creativity through supportive and healing connections.
Education
WHAT I’VE LEARNED
2018–2019
City College of San Francisco
Community Mental Health Worker Certificate
Focus on the Wellness Dimensions, The Recovery Model in Mental Health and harm reduction
2017–2018
City College of San Francisco
Community Health Worker Certificate
Focus on cultural humility, client centered counseling and motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, harm reduction and experiential practice
Experience
WHERE I’VE WORKED
FEB 2019–PRESENT
Crisis Residential Treatment Counselor
AUG 2019–DEC 2019
DPH Assisted Outpatient Treatment
Street and Facility Outreach Intern
AUG 2018–DEC 2018
Therapeutic Interaction Program Intern
JULY 2018–PRESENT
JAN–FEB 2018
San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocate Program
Certificate of Training Completion
Focus on cultural humility, harm reduction, client centered care and court and mandated reporting
Court Appointed Special Advocate for Foster Youth
Certificates and Training
WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE
DEC 2019
Community Mental Health Worker Certificate
City College of San Francisco
DEC 2018
Community Health Worker Certificate
City College of San Francisco
SEP 2018
De-escalation – Tools for Prevention and Intervention
JAN 2018
CASA Certificate of Training Completion
Court Appointed Special Advocate for Foster Youth
MAR 2011
Bachelor of Science, Web and Interactive Media Design
The Art Institute of California—San Francisco
Graduated with Honors and awarded Best Portfolio
JAN 2018
California Department of Social Services
Work Samples
WHAT I'VE DONE
One page educational flyer to promote ACEs screening by health care providers
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma Informed Care Training
An outline of a group led training presenting ACEs, normalizing them and explaining how we as CHWs can help
Raised by the Mentally Ill Presentation
Presented as a health fair Poster Board to facilitate discussion as participants explored numerous displays
Professional Product Design Portfolio
A sample of past design work
Alter Supply Survey
A worksheet to help residents at Maitri get the supplies they wanted for our art group, to open the discussion around loss, and to further reach out to those who were often busy during group hours to let them know we didn't forget them.
Art Group Fun
Hanging with residents, volunteers and my co-facilitator, Jackie Andrews, in our social, therapeutic and fun art & listening group
Recommendations
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
MFT, CGP
Jamie Lavender
...Ruth is committed to service, and takes that commitment very seriously...she has great compassion for those who’ve been marginalized and who are surviving a wide variety of difficult problems, including poverty, violence, a lack of family or other support relationships, serious mental illness, drug problems [and] histories of abuse and neglect...
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR & TIP INTERN
Taja Willard
...As group facilitator, Ruth created new curriculum for our residents incorporating their interests, hobbies, and strengths. Ruth quickly established herself as the go-to person to get things done at Maitri, including taking residence to medical appointments as well as helping out around the ‘house’...
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
David Valentine
...Ruth is self-directed and quick to take initiative. In addition to her direct service work, Ruth has gone out of her way to support a number of Maitri events, and has taken on additional responsibilities. She has been a steady and reassuring presence for residents, engaging them positively with a high level of cultural humility and ensuring a safe and supportive environment...