Part-Time Shelter Support Worker - Community Care (Evening), YWCA Arise( JOB ID: ARIS1306-REPOST)

YWCA Toronto • Toronto, ON

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Shelter Support Worker - Community Care provides supportive, participant-centred services across YWCA Toronto’s four shelter programs and will be required to work at any shelter location based on operational needs. The incumbent supports women and gender-diverse people, and their dependents experiencing varying forms of homelessness as well as intersecting social and systemic barriers by promoting dignity, safety, autonomy, and well-being. This role is designed to collaborate with interdisciplinary staff teams in each program to support high-quality, integrated services. The Shelter Support Worker – Community Care plays a key role in ensuring the continuity and enhancement of services across all shelter sites located in the Toronto area.

Arise Shelter is a 27-bed emergency shelter for women and gender-diverse people, with or without dependents, who are fleeing intimate partner violence. The program includes a Transitional Housing and Support Program that provides continued, community-based support for up to two years after residents leave shelter.
Our shelters operate 24/7 and are grounded in feminist principles, trauma-informed and strengths-based care, harm reduction, anti-oppressive practice, transparency, and a spirit of inclusion. In addition to shelter accommodation, all programs provide nutritious and culturally diverse food, access to health care, crisis intervention, supportive counselling, individualized service planning, clinical and recreational programming, as well as opportunities to engage in advocacy.

Requirements

• General knowledge of an academic or technical discipline normally acquired through the completion of a college diploma (example: Social Service Work, Community Service Work) Cases for equivalency will be accepted.
• 1-3 years experience working in a diverse, direct service setting for participants that range from youth to seniors who have experienced impacts of poverty, violence/trauma, mental health/substance use or concurrent disorders and other sources of marginalization or oppression
• Demonstrated experience in cultivating leadership within groups and developing dynamic and innovative programming
• Supportive counseling and group-work approach that is flexible, client-centred and strengths-based
• In-depth knowledge of the dynamics of gender-based violence and trauma within an anti-oppression framework
• Working knowledge of the Toronto Shelter Standards, Residential Tenancies Act, Mental Health Act and Ontario Human Rights Code
• Excellent crisis intervention and conflict mediation skills
• Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services
• Very good knowledge and understanding of community resources
• Fluent in MS Office, internet, and client management software
• Excellent oral and written communication

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of a second language or culture an asset
• Valid drivers license and access to a vehicle with 2-million-dollar liability is an asset

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized support during program activities, including emotional support, safety planning, de-escalation, crisis intervention, and brief counselling as needed.
• Assist with meal services by supporting meal set-up, service, and clean-up to ensure access to nutritious and culturally diverse food.
• Document program activities, participant engagement, incidents, and outcomes in accordance with organizational and funder requirements.
• Support participants in accessing health care, mental health supports, income assistance, housing services, and other community resources in collaboration with assigned case managers.
• Develop, facilitate, and support group, clinical, recreational, and life-skills programming across shelter programs.
• Model and reinforce community norms related to safety, inclusion, harm reduction, and mutual respect.
• Accepts shift coverage requests via YWCA Toronto staffing phone and transitions between shelter sites in a timely and professional manner to ensure continuity of services and operational coverage

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage
• Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit
• Multi-Sector Pension Plan: Employer’s contribution of 5.75% and Employee Contribution of 3.25%
• Time off: Starts with 20 Vacation Days, 1.5 Days Per Month Sick Leave, 12 Paid Holidays, Health Promotional Days and 4 Float Days
• Child Care Benefits
• Maternity/Parental Leave Supplementary Employment Benefits
• Educational/Sabbatical Leave
• Financial Assistance for Professional Development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree