Street Outreach Counsellor (Housing)

About this position

YMCA of Greater Toronto

POSITION VACANCY

Street Outreach Counsellor (Housing)

(Salaried Full Time Contract)

Grade: 11

Please submit salary expectations in cover letter

Effective: Immediately

Reports to:  Manager, Youth Outreach and Intervention               Location: Vanauley Street YMCA 

Why work for our Y?

YMCA of Greater Toronto aspires to be a great work place through an environment that embraces diversity and social inclusion, valuing differences and supporting full participation by all employees. The YMCA provides more than 6,000 employees with meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. The YMCA works to build healthy communities. This is achieved through a shared culture and values. We recognize the contributions of our staff through innovative practices, great benefits and growth opportunities.

Nature & Scope:

Toronto Vanauley Street YMCA Centre is a part of YMCA Employment and Community Programs which provide a variety of employment and counselling programs to youth ages 16-24 throughout the GTA. It provides a variety of supports to homeless and street-involved youth in the Queen Street West area.  Services include employment, housing, substance use, harm reduction, mental health and other related supports.  The Vanauley St. YMCA is LGBTQ positive space where all sexual orientations and gender diversity are welcome and celebrated. These services and supports are provided directly by the YMCA of Greater Toronto and community partners.   

Utilizing a Housing First for youth approach, the Vanauley Street YMCA will be operating Streets to Homes Street Outreach Services. Street Outreach Counsellor will engage with youth who are homeless and living outside to provide services in the community rather than having to attend an institution to access services.  These services are provided on a daily basis in the community including on the streets, under bridges, in parks, coffee shops drop-in centres and other spaces frequented by homeless youth.

Responsibilities:

Conducts intake interviews with clients in a variety of locations: public, homeless and institutional settings to assess functional, income, employment and housing status to determine program eligibility.

Initiates case management to resolve the reason why the client is street involved and provide assistance in preventing relapse of becoming street involved again in the future.

Liaises with non-profit Streets to Homes service providers in the coordination and provision of services to the client as determined in the case plan.

Connects clients with income supports, health services, mental health services, legal services, and addiction and/or harm reduction services as appropriate or required

Assists clients with housing applications and identification access; develops housing case plans with clients and work with landlords to secure housing

Provides ongoing assessment, case management, care coordination and monitoring of client’s needs; monitors and evaluates clients changing needs and coordinates individualized services.

Provides brief follow-up support to housed clients including liaising with landlords, working with volunteers, fostering a stable living environment, preventing evictions and ensuring rent is paid in full and on time.

Collects, and evaluates information to determine client’s eligibility, including verifying information through personal interviews and liaison with client supports, relevant service providers, community agencies, landlords.

Prepares case management assessment and case note documentation; maintains member case files and ensures quality audit measures are achieved in accordance with the YMCA and funder’s standards.

Responds to and investigates enquiries, complaints and emergency situations involving clients; assesses the situation and presents and implements solutions; listens, mediates, negotiates and provides support and guidance to resolve issues.

Participates in research activities and program development and delivery.

Liaises with staff from other programs and community agencies to provide program information or advocating for transfers/placements of clients.

Adheres to all YMCA House protocols and practices as well as Association and other relevant policies and procedures

Participates in volunteer supervision, staff meetings and professional development trainings as required

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 the legal responsibilities and moral imperative to report suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services.

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

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Post secondary education in social or human services
• Minimum of two years in a setting that provides service to homeless or street involved youth including case management
• Ability to work flexible shifts
• Working knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act, Landlord and Tenant Board processes and other relevant housing legislation
• Training certificate in defusing hostility and/or crisis prevention an asset
• Training certificate in LGBTQ2S and trans-positivity or related experience
• Knowledge and ability to integrate anti-oppression, critical disability, LGBTQ2S and trans-positivity, trauma, recovery approach in support to mental health and strengths-based principles into practice
• Knowledge of the issues that lead young people to become homeless, and an ability to work with youth in a respectful, non-judgemental and consistent manner
• Extensive skills in mental health, harm reduction, and marginalized individuals with complex needs
• Excellent written communication skills
• Commitment to working in a socially inclusive environment responding with sensitivity and personal awareness to the diverse needs of members including visible and non-visible dimensions of diversity
• Well-developed interpersonal, and relationship building skills; ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with members, staff and volunteers; excellent written/verbal communication skills
• Ability to communicate and to resolve conflict in a constructive and professional manner
• Experience with Windows, Microsoft Word Perfect/Excel
• Valid First Aid/CPR Certificate; knowledge of health and safety and child protection laws
• The position requires the following Core Association Competencies:  advanced competence in: Effective Interpersonal Communications; Teamwork and Collaboration; fundamental competence in: Ethics and Self Management; Being Member Focused; Relationship Building and Partnering; Being Results Focused; Valuing Diversity and Social Inclusion

Please send résumé and cover letter quoting

job posting #0159 by Thursday, December 3, 2020 to:

Candace Klimuk

(Manager, Youth Outreach and Intervention)

Email: candace.klimuk@ymcagta.org  

Job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. 

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

We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation at any stage during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation. 

About the YMCA of Greater Toronto:

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a dynamic charity offering opportunities for personal growth, community involvement and leadership. Our 2010-2020 strategic plans Strong Start Great Future calls upon our Association to invest in young people across their life stages to deliver on our vision of ensuring our communities will be home to the healthiest children, teens and young adults. This community health strategy includes a significant role for adults and older adults.

Mirroring the region’s diversity, the YMCA offers a variety of programs responding to the needs of the community, including employment and essential skills, education, newcomer programs, youth outreach and intervention, fitness, sports and aquatics, international programs, child care and camps. 

When you support the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s Annual Giving, you help us ensure more children, youth and young adults have the chance to be healthy… and so much more. We believe that by providing our children with a strong start, they will have a great future. And, ultimately, strong, healthy children mean strong, healthy communities in the GTA for the years to come.  www.ymcagta.org