Part-time Shelter Support Worker

**Employment Type**:Part-Time, Permanent
**Work Hours**:26 hours per week
**Salary**:$38,887 prorated annually (Level 6) plus comprehensive benefits
**Location**:Confidential Address - Downtown Toronto
**Internal Application Deadline**:Monday, March 10, 2025
**External Application Deadline**: Wednesday, March 12, 2025

**JOIN OUR TEAM**

The Part-Time Shelter Support Worker - Weekend Worker works in conjunction with women and children to establish a plan which will facilitate a safe and effective path to independence. The Shelter Support Worker - Weekend Worker is responsible for providing a full range of services which includes crisis counselling and the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops and programs that address the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma.

**ABOUT YWCA TORONTO - YWCA ARISE**
YWCA Arise provides safe and secure emergency shelter for women, gender diverse people and their children who are fleeing violence. The shelter is staffed 24 hours a day and supports 8 families and one single woman. In addition to shelter, families are offered case management support and enriching group and community activities to help them deal with the trauma they have experienced and begin to establish lives that are free of violence.

**KEY RESPONSIBILTIES**
- Acts as a resource to staff and clients in the area of trauma and the dynamics of woman abuse;
- Interviews, conducts preliminary assessments and identifies clients’ needs in the areas of trauma support and woman abuse;
- Provides crisis counselling to residents by telephone or in-person;
- Develops safety plans with clients;
- Provides information and referrals as required; liaises with professionals and agencies in the community to facilitate the access to services as required by the clients;
- Provides information and referrals as required; liaises with professionals and agencies in the community to facilitate the access to services as required by the clients;
- Researches, creates and obtains material to address the needs of clients;
- Works with the women individually and/or in groups to develop improved social and living skills by assisting them to: set goals, follow through on plans, discuss alternatives and make choices and decisions;
- Uses mediation and counselling skills to maintain a co-operative, supportive and productive house environment;
- Conducts weekly residents meetings;
- Attends regular staff meetings, staff training sessions and case meetings as required;
- Works within a team environment; provides support and information to team members and assists other staff when required;
- Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning in order to ensure the delivery of high quality services;
- Develops, implements and evaluates workshops and groups that address clients’ trauma and woman abuse issues and collaborates with other YWCA programs in these areas;
- Ensures that the Health and Safety Guidelines are followed in accordance with the policies and procedures of YWCA Toronto;
- Adheres to policies and procedures of the YWCA of Greater Toronto;
- Ensures appropriate notification of child abuse as required by the Child and Family Services Act.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a clinically supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW);** (Cases for Equivelancy will be considered)**;
- 1 to 3 years experience in counselling and group work with clients at risk with demonstrated ability to work under pressure;
- A certificate in trauma response would be an asset;
- In depth knowledge of the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma required;
- Demonstrated experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of workshops and groups;
- Counselling approach that is flexible, de-escalates tension, teaches conflict resolution and is focused on success;
- Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment;
- Ability to work with an anti-oppression and feminist framework;
- Knowledge and understanding of mental health issues, advocacy, employment, child development and parenting, children’s programming and/or substance abuse issues would be an asset;
- Ability to handle crisis situations effectively both in person and by telephone;
- Strong interpersonal skills;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Ability to maintain a positive approach and a professional manner at all times;
- Knowledge of a second language an asset.

**What we offer**:

- Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage
- Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit
- Multi-Sector Pension Plan: Employer’s contribution of 5.75% and Employee Contribution of 3.25%
- Time off: Starts with 20 Vacation Days, 1.5 Days Per Month Sick Leave, 12 Paid Holidays, Health Promotional Days and 4 Float Days
- Other Benefits: Child Care Benefits, Maternity/Parental Leave Supplementary Employment Benefits, Educational/Sabbatical Leave, and Financial Assistance for Prof