Impress employers and recruiters.
Choose from hundreds of resume examples.

Target Resume Now

About the Role

As a Shelter Support Worker at 348 Davenport, this position will work within a collaborative team to provide meaningful and relevant services within a theoretical feminist framework that includes a working knowledge of the dynamics and effects of trauma and oppression. She acts as a resource to staff and clients and is responsible for providing a full range of services which includes crisis counselling, case management and the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops. This position shares in the responsibility of the overall health and safety of the building.

Responsibilities

Applies knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of woman and gender diverse people abuse and homelessness to develop and implement effective support strategies
Provides daily support services to residents (e.g. tokens, providing personal hygiene items and toiletries, first aid, long-distance calls and assists with completion of forms and statements)
Exercises precautions to ensure the safety of residents and completes risk assessments and safety plans
Uses mediation and counselling skills to maintain a co-operative, supportive and productive shelter environment
Provides information and referrals and advocates for clients facing issues of homelessness and trauma
Negotiates supportive and flexible strategies to assist residents with mental health issues to access the support within the shelter and in the community
Negotiates treatment plans with residents that focus on harm reduction
Assists clients in applying for priority, RGI, rent supplement, supportive housing, group homes and any other relevant housing programs and advocates on their behalf
Develops, implements and evaluates workshops and groups that address clients’ mental health issues and experience of trauma using interactive techniques (i.e. expressive art techniques) and collaborates with other YWCA programs
Maintains, records, compiles program statistics and prepares reports and correspondence
On-call responsibilities; may be required to work outside of regularly scheduled hours including occasional overnights

Requirements

In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW); An analytical framework that identifies clients' relation to social systems and the demonstrated practical application of this framework; (Cases for Equivalency will be considered)
Completion of workshops and courses pertaining to mental illness, trauma, harm reduction, crisis de-escalation and anti-oppressive practice
3-5 years’ experience in counselling and group work focused on clients at risk and/or homeless women
Completion of Toronto Hostel’s Training Certificate (T.H.T.C.) or equivalent
Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction principles and practice
Demonstrated knowledge of community resources and supports focused on mental health and group support
In-depth knowledge of the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma within an anti-oppression framework
Demonstrated experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of workshops and groups
Experience delivering culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment
Knowledge and understanding of mental health, substance use/addictions, advocacy, refugee and immigration issues and homelessness
A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring
This position is within the Bargaining Unit

Skills

Intersectional feminism
Community voices
Social justice
Equity
Collaboration
Inclusion
Feminist framework
Trauma
Oppression
Crisis counselling
Case management
Workshop development
Workshop implementation
Workshop evaluation
Health and safety
Mediation
Counselling skills
Harm reduction
Mental health
Culturally sensitive services
Excellent communication
Interpersonal skills
Life Skills Certificate (asset)
Trauma counselling certificate (asset)
Knowledge of a second language and/or culture (asset)

Location

348 Davenport Road Toronto, ON, M5R 1K6

Work Type

Full-Time
Contract
Onsite

Experience Level

3-5 years

Education Level

Undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW)
Toronto Hostel’s Training Certificate (T.H.T.C.) or equivalent
Life Skills Certificate
Trauma counselling certificate

Salary/Compensations

$33.78 per hour

Benefits

Unionized workplace (CUPE Local 2189)
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (strongly encouraged)

About the Company

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 השל women and gender diverse people back from achieving equality.
YWCA Davenport provides up to 80 emergency shelter beds to young women and gender diverse people (16 – 24 years of age) and adult women and gender diverse people (25 and older) and is staffed 24 hours a day.
This pet friendly shelter is funded by the City of Toronto and adheres to Toronto Shelter Standards.

Equal Opportunity

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.