Youth Engagement Worker, Newcomer Youth Engagement Program

About this position

To provide a range of outreach, prevention and early intervention services to newcomer youth, families, and groups to enhance and maintain a newcomer youth’s development within in the community.

This is a part-time contract position (28 hours a week) ending March 31st, 2025

Strides Toronto is a multi-service agency providing services to young people from birth to age 29 and their families in East Toronto. Formed in January 2020 through the amalgamation of Aisling Discoveries and East Metro Youth Services, Strides Toronto provides a range of community, residential and treatment services to improve the mental, social, and physical health of infants, children, youth and their families. We provide individual, group and family interventions that include mental health counselling, autism services, education, outreach and referral, early intervention, day treatment and community support. 

As Lead Agency for infant, child and youth mental health in Toronto, Strides Toronto works with 25 core service providers to design and implement system-level improvements that transform access to services, experience of services and the mental health outcomes for Toronto’s diverse communities.

Strides Toronto has a budget of $30 million and more than 350 employees providing services out of 19 locations across East Toronto. The organization Is accredited by the Centre for Accreditation and the predecessor organizations have a long history of providing high-quality services in East Toronto. 

 Why work with us? 

• Be part of a long history of leadership and evidence informed practice in child, youth and family service. 
• Join a skilled and dedicated team who are passionate about achieving our vision of an inclusive and supportive community where children, youth and their families thrive. 
• Experience opportunities for growth and professional development.  
• Be committed to creating a positive and rewarding work environment. 
• Share an organizational culture of on-going learning and quality improvement. 
• Bring high standards for performance and implementation of best practices and demonstrated through our accreditation with the Canadian Centre for Accreditation  
• Expect a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. 
• Join a diverse and inclusive work environment with staff who speak more than 23 languages. 

What will you do? 

• Provide a range of services that are responsive to a youth’s individual need that enhance and maintains their development within in the community;
• Reach out to and engage with high risk, marginalized newcomer youth in activities that promote assets, competencies, and resiliency;
• Reach out to and engage with families when possible;
• Carry out brokerage/advocacy/resourcing functions, act as an advocate and develop effective service delivery plans that ensure newcomer youth have access to programs, services and opportunities needed for healthy development;
• Facilitate partnerships with community agencies, and community groups;
• Provide one on one support to youth as required;
• Support the development of new services identified by individual and community needs or emerging trends;
• Develop safety plans for youth and families;
• Ensure accurate recording of client information and service statistics; 
• Assist with research and program evaluation activities and support the development of program reviews as required;
• Develop and create program related materials such as calendars, flyers and other promotional items;
• Assess and identify service gaps for ongoing program responsiveness to changing demographics and/or changing community needs;
• Develop, plan, and implement workshops, programs, and skill development groups internally and within the community;
• Develop and nurture strong community linkages for the purpose of engagement and response to crisis as required;
• Facilitate Drop-in program.

What are we looking for?

• Child and Youth Worker diploma or equivalent degree/diploma;
• Minimum of 2 years directly related experience;
• Minimum of 2 years experience facilitating settlement groups and/or related violence prevention program coordination;
• Skills in public speaking and delivering group programs and workshops;
• A combination of clinical, program development, and administrative skills and abilities;
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the life experiences and needs of newcomer and refugee youth and families;
• Knowledge of Scarborough/Greater Toronto Area such as TTC bus routes and major intersections;
• Understanding of mental health challenges faced by newcomer youth;
• Knowledge and strong understanding of mental health and mental health challenges faced by newcomer youth. 

Additional Assets 

• Fluency in another language(s). 

Additional Information

This role is a part of OPSEU Local 567 bargaining unit. 

Salary range from to $28.87 to $33.96 per hour.

It is a requirement of employment that successful applicants be fully vaccinated against COVID 19 or have received an exemption from the organization’s policy prior to the commencement of employment.

Vulnerable Sector police check is also required upon hire.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your experience and how you meet the requirements for this position.   The application deadline is December 10, 2021.  

Strides Toronto is an equal opportunity employer.  We welcome diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. 

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Strides Toronto’s own policies, requests for accommodation will be considered throughout the hiring process.

We thank all applicants however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.