helpdesk team leader

animal response team officer

liaison

Alpha House Society

Working as a nurse at Alpha House has been a profoundly impactful and eye-opening experience. In my role, I have had the privilege of providing care and support to individuals who are often overlooked by society. The work has been challenging, yet immensely rewarding, and has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.

One of the most striking aspects of working at the homeless shelter is the diverse range of health issues and social challenges that our residents face. From chronic conditions and substance abuse to mental health struggles and limited access to healthcare, each day brings a new set of complex needs to address.

The collaborative nature of the shelter's healthcare team has been instrumental in addressing these multifaceted needs. Working alongside social workers, counselors, and other healthcare professionals has provided me with a broader perspective on the interconnected nature of health and social issues. 

Beyond the medical care provided, building trust and rapport with the clients has been a central part of my role. Many individuals who come to the shelter have experienced profound trauma and adversity, leading to deep-seated mistrust of healthcare professionals. Through consistency, I have been able to establish meaningful connections with the people, fostering an environment of trust and understanding.

While the work at Alpha House presents its own set of challenges, it has been an incredibly enriching experience that has deepened my understanding of the social determinants of health and the resilience of the human spirit. It has reinforced my belief in the importance of equitable access to healthcare and the need for compassionate, non-judgmental care for all individuals.

First, I loved my job. My clients were amazing. But whenever change was recommended I was reprimanded for mundane bs that was only half heartily true. Often times I was put in unsafe situations or situations I was uncomfortable with. I took stress leave and it was met with eye rolls. I literally had to save someone's life shift at work due to an overdose and I was told it was part of my job and that if I couldn't hack it to leave. I got a needle poke once and my on shift lead was annoyed I had to go to sheldon Chumir for testing. And when I asked to not return to my shift (between the blood they took and the impending doom thought of oh no I could be infected with any number of diseases now) I was threatened to be written up. 
I busted my butt for that company for 6 years. And when I left, after formulating a long thought out resignation with all sorts of thank yous and gratefulness I was forwarded a link to an exit survey, not designed to give any feed back. Literally not a single other word in that email. 
This organization does amazing work due to the staff that give a hoot. Everyone else leaches off that success and treats their staff as a number and often an inconvenience. They have lost so many staff in the last 10 years to management and their beaurocratic bs. It's sad.

I worked for this company such a short amount of time. I was excited to work for Alpha at the beginning as it’s a big company, with so many opportunities.  My first shift my team leader would not even acknowledge me. Not one word, didn’t even welcome me. After several months I noticed too many causal staff( some are great) , no one shows up on time, causal staff sleep through the night shifts, eat client food instead of bringing there own, no debriefing when incidents occur, no support, no follow through and very inconsistent. Very disappointed in how management handles this company as there is so much need and the clients are the only ones who suffer.   I on a couple occasions asked my supervisor for support with incidents, she brushed me off, was inconsistent and was not supportive. 
Would not recommend applying and if you do be careful.  They will not treat you well. No aboriginal supports, no proper training for medications and you are responsible for a lot of serious medications.  It’s very unwelcoming. I know when I left another new hire also left same thing tried similar to me. 

Working as an outside patrol employee at Alpha House Society was extremely disappointing. Management and directors treat patrol staff as if they are uneducated and undeserving of fair pay or respect. The attitude from leadership is condescending, and there is no genuine appreciation for the difficult and often risky work patrol staff do.
There is constant gossip among management, which creates a toxic and unprofessional environment. Micromanagement is excessive, with little trust given to employees to do their jobs properly. Instead of support, staff are scrutinized and criticized over minor issues.
HR is not a safe or helpful resource. Rather than advocating for employees, HR tends to side with management and often makes situations worse. Concerns are dismissed, and retaliation feels implied.
Until management culture, pay fairness, and HR accountability improve, this is not a place I would recommend working

Alpha House is a group of good people doing amazing work, in spite of the micromanagement and general incompetence of the upper management. 3 people hold all the power and are completely out of touch with the frontline. Employees are just a number to fill a position, no one with any power cares about staff, their feelings, or opinions. The HR manager is a manipulative, power-hungry bully who can and will pick favourites. There is definitely some shady business going on behind the scenes here.

The work can be very rewarding though. It takes time to get to know clients, and you need a thick skin, but they are gold once you earn their trust. If you want baptism by fire in addictions work, this place could be for you. You won't get far unless you suck up though.

Anyone with a diploma is hired here. If you meet the quota of being an abuser or bully - or someone that can be trained to be one - you are in. This organization is cliquey and rolls downhill from upper management right down to the frontlines. Save yourself the headache and sorrow - and DO NOT WORK HERE. Staff and clientele are treated the same way - Disrespectful. Clientele can tell you the same thing. This organization is corrupt and the good staff are burnt out from the abuse they have endured from the staff that is there. Bullying and abuse is not recognized and is ignored if reported from staff that care about their job or the clientele. There is also no garuntee for work. You could sleep all day to prepare for a shift you have picked up and show up to work - with no work provided and are sent home. Again - don’t waste your time applying.

The day can fluctuate between busy and quiet, depending where you work. It is a great place to learn skills if going into the addictions and mental health field but it is not a sit around and do nothing place. I have learned a LOT in my time there and will take it all forward with me. The management has changed drastically in the past year and now there is less direct supervision. the hardest parts of the job are that there is no direct supervision or support unless it is a crisis and that people do pass away. The most enjoyable part is knowing that you make a positive things happen. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Terrible management. They don’t support their staff. It is the highest turn over 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The management …..and they won’t help their staff. They allow bulking by coworkers 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The staff is great clients are great. Needs new management and a trauma informed lens 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Drive help go home. Helping ppl transport to safe place

Felt that many of my people went thru the Alpha House but only 5 employees were of our race n our input wasnt ever asked for or listened too.

They dont really help my people, they were the highest number goin thru but very little success rate. sad that they never asked our opinion or allowed us to participate in discussion. We are just a number for them to keep their jobs. Just like any other place who dont value our people the first people

I felt the need to write a review, as the ones I read do not represent what 95% of me and my co-workers feel.  Alpha house cares about its clients and the staff that take care of them.  yes the work is hard, and yes policies can change - as they are always looking to do things better.  They have grown a lot in the last few years and managers are stretched, but they are there if you need them, and are always willing to listen.  

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Helpdesk team leader 7 salaries reported	$23.70 per hour
Animal response team officer 3 salaries reported	$23.70 per hour
Liaison 1 salary reported	$49,300 per year

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