Ladies in the Family Foundation (LIFF) is a non-profit organization focused on building relationships among immigrant women with a focus on black women and girls, to increase their economic, social and emotional wellness as they navigate building new homes, businesses, and work lifestyles in Canada. LIFF’s goal is not only to connect socially, but also to help women understand and manage the fundamental contributors to the health and quality of their emotional well-being. We know that when girls and women thrive emotionally, psychologically, economically and socially, families, societies and nations are also thriving. Through LIFF’s mandate, we hope that no voice is left behind, no skill is left untapped, and that stigmas, labels and barriers are removed as women navigate their way towards complete and wholesome wellness. 

LIFF is seeking a culture-competent social worker who can offer culturally safe support for our “Cook for Inclusion” program that will include connecting 25-30 black girls in 3 different cohorts to community

Ladies in the Family Foundation’s initiative "Cook for Inclusion: Developing Inclusion Competencies for Low-income Black girls and their families through Cultural Culinary Traditions" is focused on promoting and enhancing inclusion and well-being of black girls (aged 12-24) and their families. The project will incorporate strong cultural components that allow between 50 and 75 black girls from diverse backgrounds to connect through the art of making and learning about food. Participants will be mostly newcomers and low-income youth who will use cooking as an interactive means to explore culture, build a sense of belonging, foster inclusion and promote well-being. To achieve our goal in promoting social inclusion, this program will involve participants in program planning and delivery so that they have a greater sense of control in the process. The program will also serve to connect youths to culturally competent services including referral to mental health supports, employment and career counselling and other youth services to build youth’s social support system.

Responsibilities/Ideal individual

• Can engage the youths with ease in a group setting and build relationships and provide one-one support as needed
• Able to build trusting relationship with youths in an inclusive manner
• Assessing and observing the youths to understand the social strengths/social support systems that they have in place
• Make appropriate referrals and make a warm hand over to the services by reducing barriers to accessing services
• Provide supportive counseling to help clients resolve social and personal problems
• Partake in the planning and implementation of the programming as part of interdisciplinary team
• Being knowledgeable in relevant Calgary based and Alberta wide agencies that support youths
• Creating of safe group culture and has great facilitation skills

Additional Requirements

• Valid (current within 6 months) Child & Family Intervention Check
• Police Information Check with Vulnerable sector is required prior to starting employment
• A vehicle and acceptable drivers’ abstract.
• Computer knowledge and different software applications
• Ability to communicate and share about the program – In person, community and social media
• Experience working with youths from multicultural settings
• Ability to stand on your feet for long hours and able to lift at least 20kg of weight
• Preference will be given to a black female with lived experience as a newcomer

Education

• Completion of a post-secondary education.
• Social Service Diploma or Degree
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working with youths needing to build social networks including volunteer experience

Salary and Benefits

• Hourly wage depends on education and experience.
• Part time for 18 months
• Some evenings and weekends are expected to support the In person program

Start Date

This position is to start immediately and is based in Calgary (in person)