Peer Support Worker, Youth Wellness Hubs
About The Position
This is an existing vacancy for a full-time permanent Peer Support Worker who will work as a member of a diverse interdisciplinary team to support youth experiencing mental health, substance use and/or other challenges. Peer Support involves emotional and practical support between people who share a common experience. Peers help to build equal and empathetic relationships, encouraging young people to make decisions based on their own knowledge and expertise about their own needs. As a Peer Support Worker, you will utilize your lived/ living experience of mental health and/or substance use to support youth accessing the Youth Wellness Hub Ontario (YWHO) to determine their unique goals and service needs. In this role, you will provide education about navigating mental health and substance use challenges, as well as where to find resources in the community to address those concerns. As part of the interdisciplinary and integrated youth wellness team, Peers contribute to program development and outreach activities related to YWHO clinical services, skills & well-being activities and community support services. Peers are also responsible for co-creating a welcoming space for youth who access Hub services, attending drop-in activities, as well as one-on-one mentorship.
Requirements
- Lived/ living experience as a young person with mental health and/ /or substance use challenges, which may include experience as a recipient of mental health and/ /or substance use services.
- Knowledge of community services and resources available to youth in the areas of mental health, employment, education, housing, addiction and other areas.
- Strong self-awareness, self-care practices and can establish and maintain professional relationships with youth accessing peer services.
- Awareness of the role of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) in the workplace and within the community being served by the position.
- An understanding of anti-black racism, anti-oppressive/anti-racism perspective in the context of the social determinants of health.
- Ability to recognize and identify situations where incidents of imbalance of power and privilege may occur and can result in possible negative impacts.
Nice To Haves
- Post secondary studies in a human services or social services field is an asset.
- Demonstrated ability to relate to young people accessing services from a peer perspective and can work within an interdisciplinary health care team.
- Formalized peer support work experience and experience supporting/connecting with diverse youth is an asset.
- Functional computer and client information system knowledge.
- Fluency in another language(s), including sign language.
Responsibilities
- Work collaboratively with the YWHO core team to provide supports to youth/ young adults as it relates to mental health and addictions.
- Speak about lived experience as it relates to addictions and mental health on an individual basis or in a group setting.
- Facilitate social and recreational activities, both within the hub and when relevant the community.
- Develop promotional materials and workshops materials for peer support group and the youth wellness hub.
- Engage in professional development activities and record accurate client information that is reflective of policy, accreditation, and ministry standards.
- Ensure accurate recording of client information in TREAT and Dacima in a timely manner.
- Assist with program evaluation activities and support the development of program reviews as required.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, EAP, premium fully paid by organization
- Life and disability insurance
- Defined Contribution Pension plan with employer matching up to 6% based on length of service
- Generous paid time off (Vacation, Sick and Float days)
- Pregnancy/Parental leave top-up
- Hybrid work flexibility
- Access to employee perks and discounts
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
