Outreach Worker, Youth

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

The Youth Outreach Worker will support youth and young adults in stabilizing their lives and increasing community and cultural connections. This position is to help youth connect to Indigenous culture, community services and work towards developing and understanding their identity. The work is done with a harm reduction approach, a relationship-based practice, trauma informed lens, and a strength-based philosophy.

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

**Position Responsibilities**
- Provide cultural support around a wide range of issues resulting from the legacy of the residential school system, day school system, including the intergenerational effects and impacts related to ambiguous loss; in a manner that is sensitive to the unique needs of the inner city/homeless populations.
- To work collaboratively with community partners to support life skills as young people transition to independence.
- Establish relationship-based practice with participants and to build rapport with caseworkers, family members & other supports.
- Work with youth to help them connect with their Indigenous culture. This may include, but is not limited to, sweats, smudging, connection to elders, pow-wows, teachings, drum making, rattle making, sun dances, and round dances.
- Assist in creating a safe, secure and supportive environment which respects the participant and his/her right to participate in all decisions affecting them.
- Work from a strength-based philosophy and trauma informed lens.
- Work within the Harm Reduction Model.
- Provide guidance and support and make referrals for participant on issues related to health, family, addictions, justice, education, employment, recreation and housing.
- Assist in creating a safe, dependable, and supportive environment which respects the young person and his/her/their right to participate in all decisions impacting them.
- Ability to assess and provide crisis intervention.
- Ability to safety plan with the young person around addiction, homelessness, domestic violence and/or criminal activity.
- Advocate and ensure basic needs of young person are being met.
- Provide guidance and support and make referrals for young people on issues related to health, family, addictions, justice, education, employment, recreation, and housing.
- Work with the Youth Services team to deliver the Coordinated Youth Response initiative.
- Ensure all data collection and reporting are carried out in a safe, efficient and timely manner.
- Establish working relationships with Boyle Street Community Services colleagues, the High-Risk Youth Initiative, the Coordinated Youth Response, Children Services and other community partners.
- Experience with and knowledge of Indigenous culture and ceremonies is considered an asset.

**Qualifications**
- Post Secondary Degree in a relevant field of study or a technical certificate program. (e.g., FLMI, CEBS, ICA) and/or relevant work experience
- Minimum 1 year of experience in social work or experience working with high risk youth
- Police Check with the Vulnerable Sector and Child and Youth Intervention Check completed within the past six months
- Valid First Aid certificate or enrolled in a future course
- Valid Class 5 Non GDL license and access to a reliable vehicle

**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 invite you to let us know how to properly refer to you and your pronouns as you explore finding a professional home with us.

The health and safety of our clients and staff is of the utmost importance to our organization. Per Boyle Street's COVID-19 policy, all new hires are required to be fully vaccinated with the third booster dose. Proof of full vaccination by means of immunization records from AHS, letter from a physician, or other health care provider is required prior to starting with BSCS.

Boyle Street Community Services aims to foster a work environment that is rich with Indigenous culture, teachings, ceremonies, and activities
- as a reflection of the communities we serve and the land we reside upon.