Afternoon and Overnight awake (relief) week days

Day, Afternoon and Overnight awake weekends & holidays

Must have open availability

Effective:  Immediately

REPORTS TO: Manager, Democratic Living

LOCATION: Peel Youth Village, Mississauga

NATURE AND SCOPE:

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity offering opportunities for personal growth, community involvement and leadership. Employment and Community provides employment, newcomer integration, youth education, outreach and intervention and international programs.  Our new strategic plan speaks to connections and enhancing our capacity to work together across our core programs. Peel Youth Village will allow the YMCA to achieve many of these goals in one project.

Peel Youth Village is a Youth Foyer owned and operated by the Region of Peel Social Services and the YMCA is under contract to manage the program and to work with the community and engage other community partners. A purpose built property that houses up to 48 young people in-need-of housing, Peel Youth Village provides programs and services to assist them in the transition from assisted living to self sufficiency.  Housing, case management, employment and life skills will be offered not only to residents but also to the surrounding community.  The Peel Youth Village is surrounded by a new community consisting of subsidized housing apartments mixed with single family homes.  Peel Youth Village operates 24 hours per day, 365 days a year and requires continuous on-site staffing and support to residents. The centre's gymnasium, community space and kitchens will permit creative community outreach and programming.  The residents of the community will hopefully engage in YMCA summer camping and the Mississauga YMCA. The Ontario Works office for the surrounding community will also be located in the centre.

The Youth Worker participates as a member of the Resident Democratic Living team and supports Primary Workers in follow-through on resident’s goal setting. Provides support during all hours of operation, including overnight shifts. The position takes direction from Primary Workers to support the case planning, counseling and skills development to members in individual and workshop settings, and develops effective, collaborative professional networks within the Association and in the community.  This will occur in the context of YMCA Universal Outcomes for participants: People gain developmentally appropriate skills and knowledge, people learn to get along with and appreciate others, and people gain confidence.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Residential

• Provides orientation of new residents to the program, supervision of house routines and discharge         

       residents when appropriate

• Assists and provides support to residents and team in daily democratic living

• Provides issue-specific counselling and support as directed by the Primary Workers and identifies, to other team members, youth issues as they arise

• Direct delivery of  programs where necessary

• Balance the need for effective contact with respect for resident privacy with their own “houses/private spaces”

• Facilitates regular Resident Meetings and develops, facilitates, or assists in the presentation of skill development and asset building workshops to residents as required.

• Ensuring the overall safety of all residents by completing regular checks of the premises

• Manage crisis situations and facilitate conflict resolution, mediation and de-escalation

• Support youth in ensuring the cleanliness and general hygiene of the houses and rooms

• Function as a member of a team comprised of youth workers, case managers, housing, employment/education and supervisors.

• Participate in individual supervision, staff meetings, case conferences and committees as required.

• Shift work: weekends and statutory holidays (MUST have open availability on Sat & Sun)

• Remaining awake (overnight) and available to residents.

• Circulates through all program areas to support the total program delivered

Administration

• Completion of case note documentation and maintain resident case files and ensure quality audit measures are achieved in accordance with the YMCA and funder’s standards

• Documents, according to current professional standards, significant interactions with residents, maintain appropriate documentation in case files and logs, and complete incident reports when required.

• Record the relevant status of all overnight, late, and guest passes

• Completing data entry and ensuring all assigned administrative tasks are completed as assigned

• Adheres to all Peel Youth Village, YMCA and other relevant policies and procedures

Other

• To perform other duties as assigned by the Team Lead, Manager or General Manager.

• Circulates through all program areas to support the total program delivered as directed by Management team.

• Models appropriate behaviours to staff in line with our Mission, Vision and Values; establishes rapport and maintains effective relationship building behaviours with staff and members.

• Represents the YMCA and the Association in a professional manner

• Understands and integrates the value of philanthropy and volunteerism and imparts this knowledge and belief upon staff, volunteers and members.

• Participates in program philanthropic initiatives to meet program targets

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post secondary degree/diploma in social work or a related discipline.

• Three years in youth shelter or related experience

• Ability to work flexible shifts: weekends and statutory holidays (MUST have open availability on Sat/Sun & statutory holidays)

• Must be in attendance for monthly staff meetings (2hours monthly)

• Knowledge of the issues that lead young people to become homeless, and an ability to work with youth in a respectful, non-judgmental and consistent manner.

• Ability to communicate and to resolve conflict in a constructive and professional manner

• Well developed interpersonal, and relationship building skills;

• Ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with members, residents, staff and volunteers;

• Excellent written communication skills

• Demonstrates at minimum a working knowledge of the philosophy of Harm Reduction 

• Experience working with issues connected to substance abuse or mental health and/or co-occurring concerns.

• Experience and sensitivity in dealing with members of different cultural and racial backgrounds, including visible and invisible dimension of diversity.

• Possesses relevant knowledge of community resources and referral agencies.

• Current CPR and First Aid an asset

• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook and Internet etc

Must be available afternoon and overnight awake (relief) week days & holidays

Interviewing:

Tracy Arias

Sasha Williams

Grade: 7

Current YMCA of Greater Toronto Staff:

Please speak to your supervisor prior to applying.

All applicants please be advised that offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a police records check.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to excellence and inclusion in our Association