2slgbtqia+ Residential Housing Worker

**Friends of Ruby**

Friends of Ruby is dedicated to the journey and well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, aged 16-29 through mental health services, social services, and housing. Friends of Ruby offers Youth Mental Health services, a Youth Drop-In Centre, and a Transitional Home. The Centre provides access to barrier-free counselling and therapeutic groups, case management and a drop-in space with hot meals, community, and comprehensive programming. The Home provides transitional and emergency housing, as well as mental health and life-skills to support youth moving towards independent living.

Friends of Ruby recognize that a diverse work force is critical to accomplishing our mission. Our goal is to attract, develop, and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives.

**Position Summary**

Friends of Ruby uses individualized coaching to help increase resilience and improve life skills in the areas of personal safety, accessing resources, housing and basic needs, interpersonal and communication skills, identifying and achieving personal goals, connection to school and/or employment, and increasing optimism for the future. This position will provide support, engagement accessing services from Friends of Ruby at the Transitional House, while working collaboratively with other health and human service providers.

**Duties & Responsibilities**
- Support youth with focused problem solving in all areas including housing, employment, education, medical issues, mental health issues, legal/financial assistance, Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, immigration/refugees/newcomer support etc.; advocating for adequate service, treatment models and resources
- Provide individual coaching/support to youth at the transitional house and assist youth in developing and implementing a goal plan
- Provide systems navigation and case management to help youth to access appropriate internal and external services and support
- Support and teach youth life skills such as financial literacy, budgeting, conflict resolution, problem solving, sleep hygiene, cooking, communication, resilience etc. to be successful in the community (with particular focus on housing)
- Intervene with de-escalation techniques and supporting youth through crisis situations as they occur
- Document intake and discharge records, shift change notes, youth wellbeing and illness log, casework meetings, goal plans, safety plans, care plans, service restrictions, incidents, and interaction reports
- Complete a variety of assessments with youth within the appropriate timeframe and facilitate programming to help them build their identified skills such as financial literacy, problem solving, conflict resolution and communication skills
- Act as a liaison as needed between families, social workers, school representatives, doctors and other professionals involved with the youth
- Attend required training opportunities within the appropriate timeframe, as directed by the Housing Manager and Director of Transitional Housing
- Assist in the initial and ongoing assessment of participants' needs and updating the plan of care as required
- Work collaboratively with youth to address their full range of needs to achieve short-term and long-term intervention goals using strengths based, client centered, anti-oppressive, harm reduction, youth development approach
- Assist in developing a comprehensive participant discharge plan to address ongoing support needs, crisis contact information, and additional resources to support as required.
- Develop and maintain professional and trusting relationships with youth that encourage positive social and emotional development
- Work collaboratively with Case Workers, Drop-In Support Workers, and Clinical Counselors to ensure wrap-around supports for each youth
- Attend all staff meetings and House meetings as required
- Complete and manage youth surveys and assist with food preparation in the kitchen and serving meals
- Conduct weekly suite checks and support residents keeping their suites clean and organized
- Provide a weekly detailed report related to repairs required for each unit

**Community Relations**
- Participate in consultation services and case conferences with service providers to discuss care plans and service needs, as necessary
- Collaborate with referral agencies when appropriate to facilitate referral for identification of client needs
- Connect with formal and informal supports, peer support, professional services, and resources to promote youth recovery, improve their quality of life, and reduce the likelihood of relapse
- Research and connect youth to community resources and supports which recognize and can address the unique needs of youth identifying as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
- Coordinate internal and external services and advocate on behalf of the participant to ensure appropriate and timely services
- Underst