Relief Program Worker (2 Positions Available)

Choices For Living

JOB ID: CHL822

Employment Type:  Relief

Work Hours:   Varied as needed

Salary:     $28.48 per hour

Location:  Toronto, Ontario

Application Deadline:    Monday, January 30, 2023

JOIN OUR TEAM

YWCA Toronto strives to uphold anti-discrimination practices and anti-oppression principles to ensure that the rights of all individuals are respected and protected. We work to promote a climate that is welcoming of all women and individuals who identify as trans, intersex, non-binary, agender, and/or Two-Spirit.  We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people from all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.

The Relief Program Worker is responsible for providing a program of high quality to women with mental health service needs through direct service and administrative responsibilities in accordance with the Mission and policies of YWCA Toronto and reports to the Manager of 1^st Stop Woodlawn Shelter.

ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – CHOICES FOR LIVING

The YWCA Toronto Choices for Living program offers support, life skills discussions and referral information for women and gender diverse people coping with mental health challenges who want to make changes in their lives. Women and gender diverse people in the groups describe themselves as dealing with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and a wide variety of other mental health issues. We help them broaden their choices and develop better coping skills. This is done through a feminist approach, which focuses on strengths, competencies and empowerment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with participants to help them maximize and strengthen their resources to heal and resolve mental health issues within a feminist, anti-oppression, trauma framework;
• Designs and implements a program appropriate to the needs of participants which include elements of peer-based support and other capacity and community-building elements, such as expressive arts and body-based awareness practices;
• provides group and some limited individual supportive counselling including crisis counselling;
• Advocates on systemic issues related to mental health, especially those affecting women;
• Conducts intake/assessment interviews with prospective participants, assessing both the fit of the participant’s service needs with the program services available and other client service needs that fall outside the program’s mandate or resources;
• Fosters community connections for referral, support, and advocacy for clients;
• Stays abreast of community resources for client referrals and performs outreach to prospective referral sources;
• Liaises with childcare as necessary at each group session and brings any H.R./support issues to the attention of the manager;
• Ensures that the Health and Safety Guidelines are followed in accordance with the policies and procedures of YWCA Toronto;
• Completes program statistics, documentation and prepares reports as required and other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• In-depth knowledge in a specialized discipline normally acquired through completion of a clinically supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. Social Work, Psychology, Counselling) (Cases for Equivalency will be considered);
• Experience with application of theoretical knowledge to job-related problems;
• 3-5 years’ experience in counselling and group work with women who have or are experiencing mental health issues;
• Experience delivering services with an arts-based or body-based awareness approach;
• experience incorporating a peer-support or community development element in service delivery;
• Ability to develop self-reflective practice regarding the client/worker relationship;
• Good understanding of the dynamics of trauma and oppression in relation to women’s mental health;
• Excellent interpersonal, conflict resolution, verbal and written communication skills;
• Knowledge of mental health system(s);
• Commitment to ongoing learning in the field and staying abreast of trends/developments in women’s mental health issues;
• Able to deliver culturally competent service in a multicultural environment;
• Knowledge of, and experience working with one or more of the large subpopulations living in the neighbourhood where program is delivered;
• Able to intervene successfully with women in crisis;
• Life Skills Certificate and a certificate in trauma counselling are an asset;
• Knowledge of a second language and/or culture would be an asset.

NOTE: - Incumbents must be flexible with time schedule. Vacation time should be limited to when groups are not in session.  A valid driver’s licence and access to a vehicle an asset

Vaccination Policy: In accordance with YWCA Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all YWCA Toronto employees are required to be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccination series by October 30, 2021. As a condition of hire, new staff will be required to submit proof of vaccination prior to their first day of work.  The YWCA will consider written requests for accommodation under the Human Rights Code on a case by case basis and will accommodate those individuals who are legally entitled to accommodation.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your cover letter and résumé to: Maria Moutsatsos, Manager of 1^st Stop Woodlawn Shelter at .  Please quote JOB ID number CHL822 and your name in the subject line.

Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. This position is not within the Bargaining Unit.

YWCA Toronto promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.  YWCA Toronto provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

YWCA Toronto is a Scent-Sensitive Workplace.

Posting Date: January 18, 2023