Shelter Support Worker - Community Engagement Worker

YWCA Toronto•Toronto, ON

7d•Onsite

About The Position

As a specialist in the area of community engagement, the Shelter Support Worker – Community Engagement Worker works within a collaborative team to provide meaningful and relevant services within a theoretical feminist framework that includes a working knowledge of the dynamics and effects of trauma and oppression. The Shelter Support Worker – Community Engagement Worker acts as a resource to staff and clients and is responsible for providing a full range of services which includes crisis counselling and the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops, groups and activities that will assist families to engage positively with other residents and the broader community using their strengths and skills. The SSW-Community Engagement Worker will also be the primary case worker for at least one woman/family in the shelter. YWCA Arise provides safe and secure emergency shelter for women, gender diverse people and their children who are fleeing violence. The shelter is staffed 24 hours a day and supports 8 families and one single woman. In addition to shelter, families are offered case management support and enriching group and community activities to help them deal with the trauma they have experienced and begin to establish lives that are free of violence.

Requirements

In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a clinically supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW). An analytical framework that identifies clients' relation to social systems and the demonstrated practical application of this framework. (Cases for Equivalency will be considered)
Completion of workshops and courses pertaining to mental health and trauma
1 to 3 years experience developing and facilitating community engagement groups, programs and activities that draw on the strengths of participants
Knowledge of issues related to women abuse and trauma
Knowledge of community resources and supports
In depth knowledge of the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma
Demonstrated experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of workshops and groups including knowledge of group and community engagement dynamics
Experience delivering culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, e-mail and the Internet
Knowledge and understanding of mental health issues, addictions, advocacy, refugee and immigration issues, child development and parenting

Nice To Haves

A certificate in trauma counselling would be an asset
Knowledge of a second language and/or culture would be an asset

Responsibilities

Applies knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of woman abuse to develop and implement effective support strategies
Provides case management support services to residents
Uses mediation and counseling skills to maintain a co-operative, supportive and productive house environment
Through community engagement, promotes inclusion, participation and creativity, and builds a safe community where well-being and shared values are evident by providing connection within the shelter and in the outside community
Provide opportunities for residents to develop leadership skills
Promotes skillful problem-solving and conflict resolution in the shelter by using mediation and counseling skills to maintain the co-operative, supportive and productive shelter environment
Works with women individually and/or in groups to establish a plan that will facilitate a safe and effective path to independence
Co-facilitates weekly resident meetings to evaluate programs, determine emerging resident needs and to encourage skillful problem solving and a cooperative living environment
Develops, implements, facilitates and evaluates psycho-educational, life skills, and mutual-aid groups that address resident issues as well as trauma and woman abuse and focus on strengths and resiliency
Engages with the staff team in reflective practice, to ensure the development and implementation of quality programs and services
Participates in creating a collaborative and dynamic team environment