Casual Youth Worker, Css and Sanctuary Program

**The Impact the Youth Worker in Community Support Services/Sanctuary programs can make**: Your primary role as a Youth Worker is to build trusting, supportive, professional relationships with youth. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to determine the best plan of care to help youth reach their goals and transition to healthy, confident adults. You will provide services from an attachment-based, harm reduction, culturally relevant, trauma-informed model of care. You will have the opportunity to build transformative relationships with youth and reduce the risks of street homelessness and substance use. Through relentless engagement, the CHV continuum of care connects with youth where they are at because we feel it should be "one size fits one" when it comes to supporting young people. You will work in both the Community Support Services (CSS) drop-in program, as well as the Sanctuary residential program (for youth with significant mental health and substance use concerns). You will provide an array of ‘as-needed’ services to young people. You will support the youth with personal planning and life skills, assist with referrals to other social services and support with daily tasks. The Complex Support Services department requires an experienced Youth Worker, one that is able to work confidently with less structure and navigate multifaceted health, behavioural and substance use concerns. **How you will contribute**: - Greet and welcome youth accessing CHV services, assess and respond to their immediate needs, and provide them with practical resources including food, clothing, and transportation - Initiate, develop and maintain professional relationships with youth 16-24 years of age - Assist youth with accessing external community supports and accompany them (if needed) - Respond confidently to emergencies or potential behavioral, mental health, emotional, or substance use concerns using trauma-informed practice - Upon entry to the Program, introduce the services provided, orient new youth, and complete program intake - Work with youth to address their individual needs and goals - Center the principles of Harm Reduction and Trauma-Informed Practice - Supporting youth with addictions and mental health challenges and referring to specialist agencies and/or allied professionals where needed - Document client notes in ETO, write Incident Reports, and other routine documentation as required - Coordinate youth meetings and activities, including recreation and life skills - Attend all training as directed - Maintain youth rooms including: set up, light cleaning, safety checks, etc. - Provide Outreach support as required to assist youth to connect with Covenant House - Laundry as needed - Front Desk and reception duties as required - Other duties as required **Compensation**: **Who are we looking for?** **Education and Experience**: - Diploma or degree in related social service and a minimum one year in a low barrier, harm reduction setting, or - Minimum 3 year’s full-time working experience in a similar low barrier role - Experience with the challenges facing youth who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability - First Aid & Non-Violent Crisis Intervention will be considered an asset. **Competencies**: - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - Familiarity with at risk youth and youth homelessness - Work cooperatively and effectively with others to reach a common goal. - Strong situational awareness and ability to manage critical incidents - Ability to adapt decision making based on circumstances or when presented with unclear information - Familiarity with issued related to substance use and Harm Reduction principles and practices - Familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety - Ability to maintain professional boundaries with the Youth - Basic computer skills - Working knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice