Youth Advocate

**Reports To**: Program Manager, CHEW

**Job Purpose**:
In collaboration between Boyle Street Community Services, University of Alberta’s Fyrefly Institute and Youth Empowerment Support Services, CHEW Outpost (Community Health Empowerment and Wellness) is committed to providing a safe space for youth between 14-29 years of age in efforts to promote the health and wellness within self-identified goals. The Youth Advocate will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the site with potential for outreach responsibilities as needed.

“Despite great challenges we believe unhealthy cycles can be broken, new opportunities created and, through healing, health restored.”

“We stand with our clients, side by side, patiently and for as long as they want - a constant and consistent caring force”

Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) is a values-driven organization that believes our clients are the experts in their own life. Your job will be to foster innovation with your team alongside our clients.

**Position Responsibilities**:
**Program Supports**
- Deliver and maintain CHEW under BSCS core values and code of ethics.
- Build rapport with youth to be able to build a strength based, person-centered support plan to age out youth starting at age 26.
- Carry a caseload of up to 10 participants.
- With youth, assess barriers and needs to identify supports, resources, and referrals needed for the success of the youth.
- Access food bank in support of youth and of program needs.
- Coordinate referrals to community support services with youth aging out, such as: employment supports, mental health care, health care, housing, etc.
- Develop a crisis plan with the participant.
- Ensure CHEW and surrounding area is a clean and safe environment for youth to access Monday through Friday.
- Ensure the site is set up and ready for youth starting at 12:00PM and carry out the required cleaning at the end of the day.
- Assist the Practice Lead in maintaining, distributing, and accepting supplies.
- Assist youth in identity exploration and reaffirming choice in identity expression.
- Plan and implement social and recreational opportunities.
- Engagement with Indigenous Culture, including smudging and other traditional practices and ceremonies.

**Administration**
- Maintain detailed documentation and case notes of significant interactions that must be entered within 48 hours of the interaction.
- Develop and assist in carrying out goals and Support Plans for youth aging out in partnership with youth, leadership, and other supports connected with the youth.
- Carry out assessments every 3 months to ensure the Support Plan is appropriate and relevant.
- Reporting all Critical Incidents within 24 hours.

**Miscellaneous**
- Responding to overdoses, drug poisoning, crisis intervention, and use of deescalation tactics.
- BSCS is more than a workplace. It is a community where everyone helps and contributes to the whole, and there is an expectation that all employees will take part in events (during the work week and occasionally during weekends and evenings). This includes fundraising campaigns, running community meals, medicine picking etc.
- All other duties as outlined by program manager

**Education, Experience & Skills**
- In Depth understanding of 2SLGBTQ2IA+ identities and unique supports required by this community is required.
- Diploma or Bachelors degree in Social Work, Child and Youth care or similar education, is an asset.
- Lived experience is an asset.
- Experience in a drop-in center, or outreach role, is considered an asset.
- Knowledge on local resources in the community is required.
- Knowledge on Trauma informed care is required.
- Knowledge and experience on Harm Reduction is required.
- Access to a reliable vehicle is considered an asset.
- Must be willing to engage in a variety of ceremonies from various cultures.
- Must be willing to work evenings and weekends, as required, to meet the needs of the community

**Training & Screening Requirements**
- Valid First Aid certificate required.
- Police Information Check, with Vulnerable Sector check, kept up to date (every 3 years)
- Child and Youth Intervention record kept up to date (every 3 years)
- Drivers abstract will be required.
- Current Crisis De-escalation training is required.
- Valid Naloxone training required.

**Why Work for Boyle?**
- All work done positively impacts the community and its members
- Access to Lumino Health, including Stress & Wellness support
- Employee activities and events throughout the year
- Various training initiatives, and development opportunities

Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) is a values-driven organization that believes our clients are the experts in their own life. Your job will be to foster innovation with your team alongside our clients.

Clients, staff, and partners are vital members of the Boyle Street team, so we place emphasis on making sure that we address each other correctly by using preferred pronouns. We