Cultural Connector

**Who Are We?**

The Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation (JMMF) is a not-for profit organization that works toward breaking the cycle of domestic violence through the actions of advocacy, awareness, community engagement, education, and safe housing. We operate Jessie’s House (a 35 bed all-gender emergency shelter) and Eileen’s Place (a 3-unit second stage transitional housing program). We are committed to creating inclusivity, diversity, and equity for our employees and the community we serve.

Employment Type: Fulltime-Temporary; this is covering a maternity leave.

Work Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm Monday thru Friday

Application Deadline: October 31st

Start Date: Mid-November

**JOB OVERVIEW**

The Cultural Connector supports the Leadership Team in ensuring the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and organizational strategic priorities. This position is part of the Outreach Team, providing support to clients who require support but are not staying at Jessie’s House. This position is responsible for supporting First Nations, Metis, New Canadians, Racialized, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The Cultural Connector will have sound knowledge of the impacts of colonialism, residential schools, and intergenerational trauma.
- The Cultural Connector offers community resources and culturally specific programming to our First Nations, Inuit, Metis, New Canadians, Racialized, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
- The Cultural Connector will ensure our clients have access to cultural supports and build capacity for long-term connections through referrals to community agencies.
- Support Jessie’s House Residential clients to reduce barriers of cultural adjustment and strengthen linkages with vital community services.
- Build and maintain partnerships with outside agencies who provide culturally specific resources.
- Work collaboratively with co-workers, agencies, and service groups, using a client-centered approach and respecting the client’s rights to self-determination.
- Provide public education to community agencies, groups, schools, and the public to raise awareness and knowledge about family violence and bullying.
- Work collaboratively with our team to create an empowering, welcoming, and accepting environment to support individuals and families.
- Co-Facilitate the in-school Inspire Program.
- Develop and deliver the Inspire Program weekly sessions.
- Work collaboratively with School Administration and staff.

**ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**General**
- Maintain a professional working relationship with all agencies, service groups, the public at large, residential, and non-residential clients, co-workers, and the Leadership Team.
- Attend staff meetings and training workshops at the request of the Leadership Team.
- Identify training needs and workshop needs.
- Answer all phone lines including the support line.
- Perform other related work as assigned by the Leadership Team

**Outreach and Public Education**
- Accept referrals from our Residential Team to provide cultural support and programming to individuals and families.
- Meet with outside agencies to enhance relationships.
- Counselling, risk assessments and safety planning for all clients by phone or in person as required.
- Complete all required forms for intakes and exits, and other forms related to the client’s individual situation.
- Enter accurate data into the database and provide monthly reports as requested.
- Develop and facilitate In-House Programming to residential clients, creating an environment of inclusion: Sharing Circles, Smudging.
- Report client trends to the Leadership Team.
- Assist Outreach clients with future plans, assist in the navigation of housing resources, second stage housing, and financial assistance with a client centered approach.
- Assist the Residential Program with the delivery of danger assessments, case plans, one-on-one support, and any other duties as requested by the Leadership Team.

**Community Awareness**
- Develop and deliver presentations about family violence prevention and bullying to community agencies, service groups, schools, and the public.
- Facilitate educational and preventative support groups to the Inspire participants, and/or Residential Clients.
- Attend community meetings as requested, including interagency meetings.
- Initiate and maintain contact with community agencies and groups ensuring awareness of all programs and the referral process
- Identify and report to the Leadership Team any needed materials or resources.
- Organize and promote cultural events such as (not limited to) the Moose Hide Campaign, Pride Month, Indigenous Peoples Day, Eid; both to community members as well as for the clients at Jessie’s House.

**Facility Related**
- Maintain a high degree of safety, security, and confidentiality at all times.
- Support co-workers in the implementation of all other programs, as requested by the Deputy Director and Executive Director.
- Assist in meal preparation, cleani