Family Outreach Worker (Southwest Kitchener)

About this position

At House of Friendship we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have fun!

Sounds pretty great doesn’t it? It is! 

Family Outreach Workers provide services across Waterloo Region, focused on reducing and preventing child poverty. They provide referrals to community programs and partner agencies, and use funds from the Basic Needs Fund budget to support families. Family Outreach Workers work with parents and guardians to meet their family’s basic needs by brainstorming solutions together, connecting them with resources in the community and, when necessary, providing direct supports. They walk with and support families living on low income with children aged 17 and under, collaboratively working together to set goals, create solutions and ensure basic needs are met. We are seeking an emotionally intelligent, dependable and energetic person who is passionate about preventing and reducing the effects of poverty by supporting families with children ages 17 and under.

** This is a permanent, full-time (salaried) position offering 37.5 hours per week.

Satisfactory Police Record Check for services with the Vulnerable Sector required.

Valid G class driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle required.

Frequent travel throughout Waterloo Region. **

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide support to families with children aged 17 and under who are living on a limited income

• Meet with families proactively and upon request, helping families set goals and develop strategies to meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life

• Help families to navigate services and systems and connect with community resources

• Continuously develop knowledge about community resources and services that can benefit families

• Build relationships with partner organizations to close gaps, raise awareness about the Family Outreach Program, and serve families together.

• Complete data entry, documentation and administrative tasks to support the program

Skills & Experience:

• University or College education or training in social services or a related field required

• Ability to communicate in multiple languages is an asset

• Life experience as a newcomer to Canada or living on a low income greatly valued

• Strong knowledge of community resources is an asset

• Thorough understanding of the principles of social work and supporting people living on low income

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, including ability to make decisions about how best to serve families

• Ability to manage time independently, including meetings with families, ongoing communication, team work and administration

• Ability to manage a quarterly budget and expenses

• Computer skills – primarily MS Office, MS Word, Excel

• Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected

• Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem solving skills required

• Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community members

• Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs

• Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service delivery

• Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitude

• Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental illness and other life challenges

• Excellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics, planning and detailed record keeping

Rate of Pay:

At House of Friendship all compensation ranges are categorized under a series of “grades” and we base our payment structure on internal equity. When determining rate of pay, a candidate’s past related experience will be taken into consideration along with where others with similar experience are currently on the pay grid. 

Note: Due to the internal composition of our pay grids, many team members with lengthy experience are between the start and mid-point of the range and therefore most new team members will be placed accordingly. 

Grade: 4

Min: $21.31

Mid: $24.68

Working Conditions:

• 37.5 hours per week; generally daytime/weekday hours

• Very occasional evening and weekend hours may be required to support the needs of the program

• Very occasional evening and weekend hours to support the needs of the program

• Encountering participants at program sites who may be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and/or experiencing symptoms of mental illness can be expected

• Working out of multiple sites throughout the week; daily travel expected to meet with families

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy:

To maintain the safety of staff and participants, House of Friendship has implemented a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. All Staff hired after October 19, 2021 are required to provide proof of being Fully Vaccinated against COVID-19 as a pre-condition of their employment or placement offer. If an individual is unable to be vaccinated against COVID-19, they will be required to submit written proof verifying a medical reason or by submitting a request under the Ontario Human Rights Code and agree to regular Rapid Antigen Testing at least two times per week. When documentation has been received and approved, House of Friendship will provide accommodation up to the point of undue hardship in compliance with the OHRC and may follow up to receive further information and/or documentation as required. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the immediate revocation of an offer of employment.