Community Shelter Support Worker - Housing Worker- Repost

• Applies knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of gender-based violence and homelessness to develop and implement effective support strategies;
• Uses harm reduction approaches to increase individual’s capacity for a successful shelter stay, recovery goals and community engagement;
• Provides crisis prevention, intervention and support using harm reduction principles for residents experiencing mental health/substance use challenges;
• Applies knowledge, stays current and demonstrates skill in the area of housing advocacy, referral and support and acts as a resource to staff and participants;
• Provides supportive counselling to participants regarding their housing options; assesses participants’ housing needs through group sessions or in one-to-one interviews;
• Works with participants individually and/or in groups to develop and improve social and living skills by assisting them to set goals, follow through on plans, recognize options and make positive choices;
• Provides assessment and case management support services to residents that focus primarily on housing while supporting case plans for housing readiness;
• Adheres to policies and procedures of YWCA Toronto and Toronto Shelter Standards.

• 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 practicalapplication of thisframework. (Cases for Equivalency will be considered);

• 3 to 5 years’ experience working in a diverse, direct service setting for participants that range from youth to seniors who have experienced impacts of poverty, homelessness/under-housing, violence/trauma, mental health/substance use or concurrent disorders and other sources of marginalized or oppression;
• Demonstrated experience in cultivating leadership within groups and developing and evaluating dynamic and innovative programming;
• Completion of the Housing Help Services Certificate;
• Completion of Toronto Hostel’s Training Certificate (T.H.T.C.) or equivalent;
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of anti-oppression, trauma informed, harm reduction and feminist frame works demonstrated knowledge of community resources and supports;
• In-depth knowledge of the dynamics of gender based violence and trauma within an anti-oppression framework;
• Working knowledge and application of the intersections of systemic oppression (anti-black racism, anti-indigenous racism);
• Experience delivering culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, e-mail and the Internet;
• Completion of Hostel Services Shelter Standards is an asset;
• Working knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act, Mental Health Act, Housing Services Act, and Ontario Human Rights Code is an asset;
• Knowledge of relevant legislation regarding immigration and refugee policy and law is an asset;
• A certificate in trauma counselling is an asset;
• Knowledge of a second language is an asset.

YWCA Toronto transforms lives. As the city’s largest multi-service women’s organization, we help women and gender diverse people escape violence, move out of poverty and access safe, affordable housing.

We work tenaciously to break down barriers that hold women and gender diverse people back from achieving equality.

Vaccination Policy: In accordance with YWCA Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all YWCA Toronto employees, students and volunteers are strongly encouraged to obtain all COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as recommended by Toronto Public Health

Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring.

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.