ACCN – African Canadian Christian Network

Location: Hybrid, mostly remote and in-person locations vary

Description of the practicum site and student activities:

Organization Description

ACCN, also known as the African Canadian Christian Network, is a registered charitable organization dedicated to improving the life outcomes of Black youth and families across the Greater Toronto Area. Founded in 2007 in response to rising community violence, ACCN works to address systemic barriers by creating equitable opportunities that allow Black youth and their families to thrive.

Practicum Description

This practicum offers students the opportunity to contribute to the development of an emerging counselling clinic that provides short term, accessible, and trauma informed counselling services to community members, with a particular focus on Black youth connected to Youth Advance and the Independent School Program. Students will engage in meaningful, hands on learning through supporting intake and assessment processes, contributing to service and program development, and, where appropriate, providing supervised short term counselling support.

Students will also support the planning and facilitation of Parent to Parent sessions, including developing and delivering informative workshops for caregivers. Additional learning opportunities may include attending partnership meetings, community events, and outreach initiatives, offering exposure to collaborative and community based practice grounded in service to the Black community.

This practicum is best suited for students who bring a strong sense of commitment, care, and passion for working alongside Black youth and families. We are intentional about holding space for students who are deeply aligned with this work and who are eager to engage in reflective, community grounded, and relational practice.

Through this experience, students can expect to build skills in trauma informed, culturally responsive, and anti oppressive practice, as well as counselling and engagement, program development, group facilitation, and community partnership building within a flexible hybrid environment.

Student activities to develop social work competencies

Direct Service Delivery/Interventions/Working with Recipients of Service:

Conduct intake/needs assessments
Undertake discharge planning
Provide resource and referral information
Hold responsibility for a defined caseload/case management
Develop, promote, plan and/or (co)facilitate educational groups or workshops
Develop and implement individual, family, or group interventions – assessment, implementation and evaluation of interventions
Counsel (individuals, families, couples) – in office or in community
Apply best practices as outlined by the organization
Undertake instrumental activities that support the work with recipients (e.g., assistance forms, benefit forms, referrals, develop plans for activities of daily living)

Interprofessional collaboration:

Present cases at case conferences
Attend staff/administrative meetings
Collaborate on organization’s projects
Attend in-service events
Consult and collaborate with professionals from other disciplines
Advocate for the client system
Participate, liaise and represent the agency at community meetings or plan of care meetings or task groups

Indirect Service Delivery:

Prepare and maintain case notes, reports, statistics which meet the organization’s accountability guidelines
Collect and/or analyze data
Prepare draft policy/program/grant proposals
Contribute to research and other organizational initiatives
Develop skills in cross-cultural/spiritual competenceDevelop, plan and implement prevention activities and programs

Practicum Requirements:

☒ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

☒ Driver’s License

☒ Use of Own Car

☒ Travel by public transportation between home visits, or satellite offices, or community meetings, etc.

☒ Comfort working with the population being served

☒ Comprehensive report writing and documentation

☒ Lived experience/Current member of the community being served

☒ Evening attendance

☒ Weekend attendance

☒ Changing shift attendance

Other requirements:

We are seeking candidates who identify as Black, in alignment with the focus of our programs and services. This preference reflects our commitment to providing culturally grounded, community responsive support for Black youth and families, and to creating meaningful learning opportunities for Black students pursuing social work practice.

Please select Fields(s) of Study:

☒ Children and their Families

☒ Social Justice and Diversity

☒ Mental Health and Health

☒ Human Services Management & Leadership

Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?

Hybrid, mainly remote

Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?

Mix of direct and indirect

Number of practicums offered: 2

Field Instructor name and credentials: Lashae Watson, MSW, RSW

Application deadline: April 7, 2026

Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?

Yes, both

Accessibility Considerations:

Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? No

Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Sometimes

Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Medium

Is there a high noise level in the practicum? Medium

Is the site wheelchair accessible? Yes

What are the physical demands of the practicum? The physical demands of this practicum are minimal and flexible. As the role is primarily hybrid, much of the work takes place in a virtual setting and involves computer use, online meetings, and documentation. In person responsibilities may include attending meetings, supporting or facilitating programs, and occasional travel to community sites or partner locations across the Greater Toronto Area. These activities may involve moving between spaces and handling light materials for programming. Overall, the practicum is not physically intensive and can be adapted to support a range of access needs, with opportunities to incorporate flexibility and accommodations where needed.

Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of? ACCN is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible practicum environment. The hybrid structure allows for flexibility, including remote participation in many activities. In person work may take place in different community spaces where accessibility can vary, but efforts are made to plan with access needs in mind. Applicants are encouraged to share any accessibility needs so appropriate supports and accommodations can be arranged.

If you are interested in this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to alexi.sparaggis@utoronto.ca by 4pm on April 7, 2026. Applications will be sent to the site.