Community Engagement Worker – Mental Health and Well-being

Elm Housing Support Program

JOB ID: ELM828

Employment Type:       Full-Time, Permanent

Work Hours:                 35 hours per week (includes days, evenings and every 5^th weekend; shares on call duties)

Salary:                           $55,385 annually (L7), plus comprehensive benefits

Location:                       150 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0B1

Internal Application Deadline:            Wednesday, February 1, 2023

External Application Deadline:            Friday, February 3, 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 Community Engagement Worker - Mental Health and Well-Being is responsible for leading the design and implementation of programming that promotes overall mental health and well-being, with the goals of creating an inclusive community, engagement with the broader community, and effective strategies to meet the emotional, practical and social support needs of the tenant community.  The Community Engagement Worker - Mental Health and Well-Being will work within the Community Engagement Program team and alongside the Jean Tweed Centre case management team to ensure that community engagement activities support a positive and dynamic community environment with a focus on health outcomes.

ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – YWCA ELM CENTRE

YWCA Elm Centre includes 300 units of permanent housing for three different resident groups: 165 units of affordable rental units for women and gender diverse people, 50 units for women and gender diverse people, women-led families and gender diverse-led families of Indigenous descent (including 10 women-led and  gender diverse-led families fleeing violence) and 85 units for women and gender diverse people who are experiencing significant mental health challenges or concurrent mental health/addictions disorders. The program will provide services to the entire residential community, with a dual focus on community building and individualized supports.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Acts as specialist consultant to, YWCA Elm support team, Jean Tweed Centre case managers, YWCA permanent housing and tenants in the area of innovative community engagement and capacity building with marginalized and mixed communities;
• Develops, implements and evaluates workshops, groups and individual supports that incorporate and understanding of residents’ mental health, addictions, and woman abuse issues, with attention to the value of peer supports in the Indigenous, youth, and supportive housing sub-communities;
• Acts as a resource in sharing the skills and knowledge base related to clinical mental health issues, including conducting assessments related to mental health, trauma, suicide risk assessments, and level of capacity for independent living for the purposes of determining eligibility and service planning;
• Develops and delivers programming specifically designed to promote health outcomes by supporting residents to develop and use skills to reduce harm, effectively manage their mental health symptoms, communicate effectively with health care providers about their medications and underlying health conditions, and promote stability and safety for themselves and the community;
• Assists the Intake Coordinator and Jean Tweed Centre Case Managers with the intake and move-in orientation processes, including providing assessments related to mental status, addiction and level of ability to live independently;
• Supports case management staff to develop and implement a service plan to support mental health goals, stress and mental health management strategies, social and creative engagement, and self-efficacy skills.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion of a clinically supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. Bsw); Msw an asset;
• Registration with ontario college of social workers and social service workers required;
• 3 to 5 years’ experience demonstrating clinical skill in engagement, assessment, counselling and group work with an in-depth understanding of trauma, mental health and concurrent addictions, and their effects on women and children from a trauma informed and harm reduction framework (Cases for Equivalency will be considered);
• Thorough working knowledge of the diagnostic criteria in the DSM (diagnostic and statistical manual) in addition to an anti-oppression and feminist analysis of women and mental health /concurrent addictions issues;
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in providing support to women living with experience of precarious housing, poverty, violence/trauma, mental health/concurrent addictions issues to develop strategies for successful tenancy and successful recovery goals;
• Demonstrated ability to deliver programming that recognizes and values cultural identities (ethno-racial, LGBTQ, e.g.) And creates opportunities for strengthening community through sharing and building understanding and respect;
• Training and experience supporting peer-led initiatives or conflict resolution an asset;
• Counselling approach that is flexible, de-escalates tension, teaches conflict resolution and is focused on success;
• Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment;
• Knowledge of the residential tenancies act, Ontario mental health act, Ontario human rights, and other relevant legislation;
• Experience using body-based awareness practices or other experiential activities to promote health and mental health outcomes;
• Knowledge and understanding of supportive housing, community development, advocacy, child development and parenting would be an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops and groups;
• Demonstrated conflict resolution and negotiating skills;
• Ability to handle crisis situations effectively both in person and by telephone;
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning and use of supervision;
• Research or evaluation skills and application to clinical practice an asset;
• Strong interpersonal skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to maintain a positive approach and a professional manner at all times;
• Knowledge of a second language an asset;
• Lived experience related to the effects of mental health and concurrent disorders 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 Danielle Nakouz, Manager of Elm Housing Support Program at E.  Please quote JOB ID number ELM828 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 within the Bargaining Unit. Please indicate on your cover letter your email subject line, if you are an internal candidate. For internal applicants, this position is not secondable.

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 23, 2023