Concluding Thoughts

This concludes the key points in the field of community support work. As it is such a vast field, there are likely areas, tasks, and themes that a worker will experience that were not covered here. Some areas that are important to know but will differ across agencies is note-taking protocol, fundraising, grant writing, and case notes. There are also many lived experiences not touched upon in this book that one will likely encounter, such as supporting individuals who are or have been incarcerated and individuals affected by the housing crisis or the opioid crisis. Rural communities face specific barriers such as access to transportation and technology coupled with issues around isolation and access to services. The list can go on; any human experience, of which there are many, may be encountered by a community support worker.

The intention of this book was to provide an overview and focus on a few core areas of specialization, with a focus on the helping skills that are used in the field. This book aims to offer a broad view and concentrate on key specialized areas, emphasizing the fundamental helping skills which are essential in the field. Assisting others brings advantages to both those in need of support and the helper, improving well-being and various aspects, which is the cornerstone of the community support worker profession.