Youth Worker - Housing

YMCA of Greater Toronto•Toronto, ON

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The YMCA is excited to launch a NEW housing program that will provide 31 affordable housing units to 2SLGBTQIA+ young people between the ages of 18-29 – mY place! The Youth Worker Housing supports a safe, inclusive, and structured housing environment by coordinating services and resources that promote stability and transition for youth to independent living. This role contributes to program development and continuous improvement through collaboration with community partners and the implementation of workshops and group activities. The Youth Worker provides direct support to all 2SLGBTQIA+ participants, including intake, relationship building, crisis intervention, support of case management goals and supervision of daily routines. The role is responsible for maintaining accurate participant documentation and administrative records in line with YMCA and funder standards.

Requirements

Post-secondary education in Social Work, Child and Youth Work, Child and Youth Care or related field, or equivalent experience.
2 years’ experience working with marginalized youth.
Direct service experience with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth an asset.
Experience analyzing personal and systemic issues leading youth to become homeless.
Experience and knowledge in integrating anti-racism, anti-oppression, critical disability, 2SLGBTQIA + and trans-positivity, trauma, harm reduction, and strengths-based principles into practice.
Valid training certificate in defusing hostility and/or crisis prevention required.
Valid First Aid/CPR Certificate and knowledge of safety and security procedures related to shelter operations.
Knowledge of transitional, shelter, and other housing systems in Toronto, with the ability to assist youth transitioning into adulthood through developmentally appropriate support.
Possesses relevant knowledge of community resources and referral agencies.
Advocacy skills to effectively collaborate with other systems, resulting in increased access for residents.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong organizational and administrative skills.
Ability to work flexible shifts: weekends, statutory holidays, on call shifts
Criminal Reference Check within the last 6 months.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging.

Nice To Haves

Direct service experience with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth

Responsibilities

Provide support and referral options to participants regarding employment, housing, and other needs, collaborating with community partners to offer a variety of services to 2SLGBTQIA+ young people on site.
Identify, suggest, and implement creative and innovative improvements to services, policies, and programming that is intersectional and uses a queer lens.
Participate in the design and implementation of workshops and group activities for participants with participant input and feedback.
Provide initial screening and intake of potential participants, including orientation and greeting of new participants.
Provide positive interactions, crisis intervention, rapport, and relationship building with participants, offering supportive counselling and practical assistance in consultation with other team members.
Provide supervision of mYplace routines and support to individual and the participant community at the site.
Respond to emergency and crisis situations following appropriate procedures, ensuring the safety and security of all staff and participants, and supporting other staff in crisis situations.
Complete case note documentation and maintain participant case files, ensuring quality audit measures are achieved in accordance with YMCA and funder standards.
Document according to current professional standards, maintaining appropriate documentation in case files and logs, and completing incident reports when required.
Complete documentation regarding participant tracking and log-in systems and other items required by the YMCA regarding program outcomes.
Complete data entry in the Shelter Management Information System (SMIS) and ensure all administrative tasks are completed as assigned.
Adhere to all mYplace protocols and practices as well as Association and other relevant policies and procedures.
Participate in supervision, staff meetings, and professional development trainings as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.