support worker

thrift store associate

philanthropy manager

early childhood teacher

human resources coordinator

Bissell Centre

Working at the Bissell Centre is a dynamic and impactful experience, with each day presenting new challenges and opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals and families. The organization fosters a supportive and mission-driven environment, emphasizing the importance of empathy, resilience, and community collaboration. The management is dedicated to the center's mission, promoting open communication and innovation. The workplace culture is characterized by compassion, inclusivity, and a collective commitment to addressing diverse community needs. The job's most challenging aspect lies in confronting the depth of struggles faced by those experiencing homelessness and poverty, requiring emotional resilience. However, the most enjoyable part is witnessing positive transformations and contributing to a community where individuals regain dignity and hope, making the challenges worthwhile.

Bissell has had some great people with amazing skills but due to nepotism and fear based culture the staff turn over is very high. One staff survey relayed very low Employees satisfaction and the CEO actually told staff at a staff meeting that he did not care about staff happiness, not his priority. Staff are just thrown in and expected to learn as you go. It can be a very scary and unsafe environment and has left many people with Ptsd from lack of proper debriefing and supervision. Many former staff had to go on medical leave due to the negative impact on their mental health and well being  The pay is low and they do not give raises often and staff are expected to use their own personal funds just to do what is expected with the job; extreme amounts of driving, paying for clients coffees and food and then you have to wait weeks and weeks to get it back.  

As I have been volonteering in all 3 departements: infants, toddlers and pre-school kids, the mornings had a different plan.
With the babies I learned the "bundeling technic" to wrap them when they go to sleep, rock them in their sleepers.To feed them there bottles and changing dipers I knew from when my daughter was small. In this departement the rhythme is defined by the babies.
With the toddlers there was more structure in the program of the day:
washing hands, playing, breakfast, play, outside or big hall activities,
etc.... By that time my volonteer hours would be over,
With the pre-school kids I was only a few times in the beginning and remember ploaying with them and stimulating them to use words more often when they want something from another kid.
All in all i found my co-workers very skillfull ,matureand professional.

A typical day included dealing with management.  It was learned that only managers were allowed to swear at you, call you on the carpet for trumped up reasons, don’t allow you to defend your self and if you try to you are told you are being argumentative in inappropriate terms.  The manager over the department was extremely bad with the above mentioned reasons.  This manager created a work environment that was extremely stressful due to the gas lighting and manipulations.  Upper management did not investigate the allegations so you were on your own.  The most enjoyable part of this position was being able to interact with the participants.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Horrible company to work for. Everyone there follow one another and if you disagree with one, get ready to be harassed by all. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Dealing with drama with in the company. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
No culture. No back bone. No true leaders in place, to guide new employees. Gossiping about their personal life and work is the culture. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Stressful. When all the leaders waiting for you to fall on your face instead of guiding you.

Bissell is a toxic and stressful environment where job security felt non-existent, contributing to constant anxiety among staff. Employees were consistently overburdened with unrealistic workloads, leading to burnout and poor support for clients, yet concerns were ignored by management that seemed entirely disconnected and unsupportive, fostering a culture of high turnover and low morale rather than growth or employee well-being. The organization is top heavy and they lay off staff without batting an eye or empathy.

If you want to make a meaningful contribution to the inner-city community then Bissell Centre is a great starting point. Bissell is very focused on the well-being of the community members that it serves and everything it does is rooted in its mission to eliminate poverty in the community. It is a rewarding but difficult, at times, career path.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The people we serve, the love the is poured into the participants is awesome. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Most stressful part about working for the company is that Alberta Social Services and get funding recourse for our participants 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Friendly and loving, lot of respect for cultures

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Busy,  some time can be a bit rowdy

I have worked there for four years. Over the years I learned how to be professional. Bissell is a great place to grow as a Social Worker. The pay is not the greatest. Since you will be working with homeless, addictions etc. the work is very high paced and stressful. Really makes you learn patience. My time with Bissell has always been the greatest. I would not change anything. 

Management supervise coordinators who supervise supervisors who supervise team leads who supervise front line who SUPERVISE community members!  Community members feel disrespected and front line turn a blind eye to community members who are disrespecting staff or the space.
Was a great place to work back in the day. There was a sense of belonging and staff were relational. Not anymore

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Support worker 1 salary reported	$21.94 per hour
Thrift store associate 2 salaries reported	$21.62 per hour
Philanthropy manager 3 salaries reported	$61,001 per year
Early childhood teacher 2 salaries reported	$18.49 per hour
Human resources coordinator 11 salaries reported	$25.00 per hour

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