We’d like to introduce you to Jamillah Jean, who works with the Youth Program Directorate, where she specializes in dealing with sexual exploitation and runaways. Ms. Jean is a bundle of energy who approaches her young charges without judgment and isn’t afraid to think outside the box, both personally and professionally.
Ms. Jean, please tell us about your career path up to this point.
“I started by getting a Diploma of College Studies (DEC) in special education at Vanier College in 2004. I started a degree in Education at McGill, which I put on hold after two years. In 2020 I earned a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Manitoba in 2020.”
When did you join the CIUSSS?
“When I was a student, I worked part-time as a receptionist at the Batshaw Youth and Family Centres. Then, in 2005, I was hired as a special-education teacher at the Prévost Campus, where I was a caseworker working with delinquent youth. I have been in my current role since 2020.”
What are your primary responsibilities?
“It’s important to understand that our mandate covers the Anglophone, Jewish, and Indigenous communities of Québec. As a result, I offer online training to some 2,000 colleagues who are directly or indirectly in contact with young people from these communities (social workers, managers, receptionists, and others). The objectives are prevention, awareness, and education. Furthermore, I am in constant contact with my colleagues during their interventions and the implementation of their prevention strategies with regard to sexual exploitation and runaways.
I also take care of information sharing with police forces and community organizations. I also take part in developing intervention plans and procedures to manage risks and to supervise youth at risk, whether they are living in one of our group homes or they are involved in a report.”
What challenges do you face regularly?
“Like many other sectors, remain staffing and budget our constant issues. Changes in our intervention methods can also be challenging.
However, one of our biggest challenges is the spread of social media and the high-risk factors that result. These days a child can be sexually exploited while being at home in front of their computer. And as more and more new applications become available, we always need to be tracking which ones are popular among our clientele. The pandemic may have led to a decrease in reports primarily because schooling was done from home. At the same time, however, there was a proliferation of unfortunate social media incidents.”
What do you enjoy most about your work?
“I have to say, I really do relate to these youths. When I was a teen, if it hadn’t been for an understanding aunt, I could have ended up taking a worrying turn. Our young people need to be heard without being judged. They need to be allowed to vent. They need to have safe spaces where they can be themselves. To achieve that, three principles need to be respected: “What the young person tells us”, “What we have heard”, and “What the young person needs”.
I like meeting with youths and discovering their strengths. We’re often quick to judge, without knowing the backstory or the circumstances that have led them to making poor life choices. I have a weakness for those young people are seen as being oppressed or the underdog.”
Ms. Jean also agreed to tell us a little bit about her personal life.
Can you tell us a little about you and your family?
“I am the first generation in my family to be born in Montréal. My parents were born in Haiti. Our family, which also includes my two brothers and my sister, are all very close. My daughter Mahyma, who is 12 years old, and my son Jahya, who is six years old, are by greatest pride and joy.”
What are your favourite pastimes?
“I enjoy trips that allow me to discover the customs, values, language and culture of different communities. So far, Thailand has been my favourite trip.”
Two years ago you founded the organization Hike MTL. What does the organization do?
“When doing outdoor activities, I noticed that racialized communities were underrepresented in the province’s parks. They often did not dare to benefit from such places. So to democratize various activities—such as fishing, hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, skiing and more—for them, I founded an Hike MTL, an inclusive social enterprise that organizes outdoor excursions. The people who join our trips get to develop a sense of belonging in such spaces while enjoying all the healthy benefits of being in nature.
Intended primarily for my family and friends, our group is booming. Several commercial partners are now associated with Hike MTL, and the feedback we get from participants has been very gratifying,”
Few people know that...
“I enjoy CrossFit and lifting weights. I am strong enough to snatch (lift the barbell from the ground to overhead in one continuous motion) 315 lbs or 143 kg.”
Ms. Jean received a beautiful tribute during the City of Montréal’s Table ronde du Mois de l’histoire des Noirs in recognition of the positive impact she has on racialized communities. She is also featured on the month of August in the most recent edition of the Mois de l’histoire des Noirs calendar, which is centred on the theme “Out of the darkness, into the light”.
“I am lucky to have Derrolton James as a manager. He is a good supervisor who gives me a variety of responsibilities and prioritizes my professional development,” says Ms. Jean.