Welcoming Streets Steward

**JOB TITLE**:Welcoming Streets Steward

**Expected start date**:January 9, 2023 (one year contract)

**Reports to**:Welcoming Streets Program Coordinator

**Relationships with**:

- BIA Executive Director
- BIA Media & Marketing Coordinator
- BIA Membership
- Existing services that serve individuals with complex needs

**Role of the Downtown District BIA**

The Belleville Downtown District BIA exists to position downtown Belleville as a vibrant community.

Our Values
- Collaborative Partnerships with our members and other stakeholders
- Forward Thinking - envisioning a new future
- Being Accountable - delivering on our commitments
- Active Two-Way Communication with our members and other stakeholders
- Passion to Succeed - with passion comes change

**Brief Description**
The Welcoming Streets Steward works in Downtown Belleville to address concerns identified by stakeholders and the public, involving vulnerable individuals.

The Welcoming Streets Steward responds to situations that may not require police intervention, with the hope of preventing police involvement and facilitating positive relationships between stakeholders and vulnerable individuals. They also assist individuals by connecting them to appropriate agencies via systems navigation. In addition, this position focuses on building capacity among downtown businesses to be better equipped to handle concerns and build empathy towards people that are vulnerable and living on the street.

**The role of the Welcoming Streets Steward**

The Welcoming Streets Steward is someone who has experience working with individuals that have addiction/homelessness/mental health struggles and who can use that experience to readily build trust and positive rapport with those who are most marginalized. They also will act as a bridge to appropriate services, maintaining a close integrated relationship with them.

**Goals of the Welcoming Streets Initiative**

1. Dedicated to the Belleville downtown core to address concerns identified by business owners and the public involving individuals experiencing homelessness.

2. Develop authentic, positive relationships with business owners, residents and visitors to the downtown core as well as partners within the social service sector.

3. Build trust and a positive rapport by developing authentic, positive relationships with street-involved individuals in vulnerable circumstances.

4. Build capacity among local businesses to be better equipped to handle concerns and to build empathy and understanding.

5. Respond to and address situations in the downtown core that do not necessarily require police intervention.

6. Work in a close and integrated way with existing services that serve individuals with complex needs by:

- Interacting with the individual(s) involved, if appropriate and safe to do so
- Offering a person-centered and community-based approach
- Connecting the individual with appropriate social service agencies
- Calling BPS, EMS or other response teams, for assistance when appropriate

**Qualifications**
- Degree in Psychology, Child and Youth Care and/or diploma in Social

Service Work, Community and Justice Services, Social Work or equivalent A minimum one year of front-line experience with outreach provision, de-escalation, and working with people who are marginalized, street-involved, and struggling with mental health/addiction issues.
- First Aid and CPR Level C+
- ASIST Suicide Prevention considered an asset
- Mental Health First Aid considered an asset

**Knowledge, Skills, Abilities**
- 1. Ability to develop positive relationships with marginalized individuals, building trust with ease, and working to assist the vulnerable population.
- 3. Diplomacy when working alongside stakeholders.
- 4. Able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team, and have good organizational, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
- 5. Experience and ability to adhere to a high level of confidentiality.

**Work Environment**
- 80% of time is outreach work, including on foot travel throughout the downtown core including parks, riverside, streets, businesses, libraries, and community agencies. Able to walk extensively.
- Supporting individuals and businesses may occur within various businesses and agencies downtown district.
- Dress appropriate to the weather is expected. Welcoming Streets and/or BIA uniforms may be supplied.
- 20% of time will be spent in the office. Space is a well-lit, ventilated space with stairs and elevator, shared with other BIA and/or Welcoming

Streets staff.

**Principal Job Duties**
- Outreach Services_

A. Build and maintain working relationship with the following agencies:
a. City of Belleville b. Grace Inn Shelter c. Salvation Army Food Program d. United Way Hastings & Prince Edward e. Hastings County Community & Human Services f. Bridge Street United Church g. Peer Support Freedom Center h. Quinte Health Care's Crisis Intervention Centre i. Community Development Cou