SSWA executive members

Kayla Barber, President & CASWE Representative
Kayla is looking forward to collaborating with Social Work & Human Services students to build a positive community amongst the cohort and create new learning opportunities to grow as professionals. Kayla graduated from the social services program in 2014 and has worked as a support worker with people with disabilities for the last 7 years. She is excited to continue her education to better serve her community and make a difference in people’s life.

Alisha Munro, Vice President
Alisha is grateful for the opportunity to be the Vice President of SSWA for 2020! She is a 3^rd year BSW student and has worked many roles in the Human Services and Social Work field, including youth, seniors, addictions and mental health.  She is currently a Vocational Support Worker, teaching adults with diverse abilities, life and employability skills, while assisting them in achieving their goals.  She is passionate about child and youth mental health and is interested in working in a hospital setting.  Alisha is excited to learn, grow and collaborate as a representative for SSWA and is looking forward to meeting new people.

Kiran Shergill, Secretary

Jessica Nain-Levent, Treasurer
Jessica is excited to be a part of SSWA in 2020. Aside from being a ufv student, Jessica works as a youth care worker with kids in foster care. Previously a graduate of the social services program, Jessica has found her passion in social work and is excited to see where this year takes her.

She looks forward to learning more about how she can promote positive relationships in her community as well as being an ally to those in need all while learning more about herself in the process.

Tasheena Boulier, Advocacy and Indigenous Representative
My name is Tasheena Fawn Boulier. “Tasheena” means “first born” in my native Halq’emeylem language. My native band is Sts’ailes First Nation. I was born and raised in Chilliwack, B.C.

I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of the SSWA team for 2020 as the Advocacy representative. Currently in the BSW program, specializing in Child Welfare, I first started university in 2012, when I started the Social Services - First Nations optional diploma program, graduating from the program in 2015.

In my previous educational journey, I did my first practicum with Sto:lo Nation in their Aboriginal Infant Development program/ Aboriginal Supported Child Development program. In my second practicum I shadowed a Family Enhancement Worker through Xyolhemeylh Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society.

During one of my semesters in the diploma program, I volunteered as an assistant in a research project taking the form of a preschool program called Capable Kids Club. This program aimed at teaching children socioemotional and physiological self-regulation. We learned occupational therapy techniques with sensory integration programs and socioemotional regulation. This program ran twice a week for 8 weeks, a few hours each day. It involved circle time, games, crafts, snacks, etc. and ran like a typical preschool program.

I am happy to be back in school, pursuing my goal of becoming a social worker. As the Advocacy Representative, I plan on advocating for the creation of an Aboriginal Representative position to be created for the following SSWA term, which I plan to run for. I am passionate about social work and want to be active in the social work student community. I am in this position in the hopes of gaining experience helping people.

TBD, HSER Representative

Nadia Lui, BSW Representative
Nadia looks forward to being a member of the SSWA team as the BSW representative, especially for the chance to connect with her peers and create opportunities for students within the program. 

Nadia is in her third year of the BSW program and has experience working and volunteering on an advisory team speaking up about mental health to youth, supporting youth in care through creating art, and facilitating art lessons for at-risk youth within an outpatient program. Upon completing her BSW, Nadia hopes to work towards achieving an MSW, as her dream is to become an art therapist one day.

Natasha Marriette, Advanced MSW Representative
I completed the social services diploma and Bachelor of Social Work at UFV before moving in to the Master of Social Work program. I have worked in a variety of settings including community services and group homes. I am currently a social worker in Fraser Health and enjoy the diversity of the work. I have enjoyed being the Advanced MSW representative and getting to learn more about the school and my peers.

Hannah Jaswal, School Representative
Hannah is excited and very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of SSWA as the Social Work and Human Services representative for 2020. When Hannah is not at UFV she works as a Youth Worker at Archway Community Services. She works with youth who have diverse abilities, helping them learn skills and socialize with others around them. Hannah is passionate about working with youth in any capacity. She has previously worked as a daycare worker and a volunteer at Abbotsford Youth Commission and Youth buddies’ program at Archway Community Services. Hannah is excited to be more involved with UFV this year and to get out of her comfort zone. She hopes to learn a lot and grow in her schooling and new position on SSWA.

Raven Van Putten, Field Committee Representative

Raven is looking forward to being a part of SSWA this year in 2020. She is a third-year BSW student and is also completing her Bachelor of Arts with a Psychology major. When Raven is not at UFV she works as a respite provider for youth with developmental disabilities. She looks forward to connecting with her fellow students and getting more involved with UFV. 

Malina Malla - Event Coordinator
Malina is excited to be part of the 2020 SSWA team! The last three years she's been volunteering with Archway (formerly known as Abbotsford Community Services) in the Seniors Department. Through the Lunch with the Bunch program at Archway she has been able to help coordinate the Annual Seniors Picnic in the Park for the past two years. Malina hopes to create a positive learning environment for the students in the Social Work and Human Services Programs.

Victoria Dacosta, BCASW Representative

Eilidh Hatch - Public Relations Representative
Eilidh is enthusiastic to participate in the SSWA at UFV in her first year as a Social Services Diploma student, with plans to receive her Bachelor’s of Social Work at UFV. Eilidh realized she wanted to participate in social work when doing a high school practicum with women and children in need at Sources Women’s Place in Surrey. Eilidh is excited to help the SSWA through Public Relations Coordination in an effort to learn from peers as well as make positive contributions to the social work student community at UFV.