Child and Youth Worker

The work of Good Shepherd is based on a fundamental belief in providing hope and restoring dignity to the most vulnerable members of our community. Our services include emergency food and clothing; daily hot meals; emergency shelters for men, youth, families, women and children; transitional housing and education for homeless and street-involved youth; hospice palliative care; community mental health programs; and supportive housing programs.

**Hours of Work**: Monday to Friday; one Saturday per month; 5 days/week; 8 hour shifts; days and evenings

**Starting Date**: ASAP

**How You Will Make an Impact**

The Child and Youth Worker will provide on-site staff supports for families residing in emergency shelter overflow spaces. The Child and Youth Worker ensures that the Hotel Overflow program offers a safe and secure environment where the needs of children and youth are met. The Child and Youth Worker will support families with school enrollment, offer individual and group respite programming, and liaise with community supports such as daycares, schools, and children's services.

The Child and Youth Worker position is both dynamic and crucial within community services, demanding a blend of compassion, adaptability, and organizational skills.

This role primarily involves direct engagement with children and youth, particularly within an emergency shelter context, requiring a someone who is not only adept at building and maintaining strong relationships with community partners and services but also skilled in creating and navigating a structured, impactful schedule of programs and activities.

Responsibilities from daily activities to special events, necessitate a compassionate approach that respects the diverse needs of young residents, with an emphasis on creating a stable, nurturing environment. The oversight of volunteers and the hands-on involvement with the residents highlight the need for someone who embodies empathy, patience, and the ability to mentor and guide.

Tasks include cleanliness, maintenance, and overall environment management, which are integral to creating a safe, welcoming space conducive to healing and growth. You are prepared for active involvement in various tasks, from receiving donations to more routine duties like cleaning and organizing, illustrating a requirement for individuals who are both detail-oriented and comfortable performing multifaceted roles in a shelter environment.

You can efficiently handle crises, ensure effective communication and documentation, maintain comprehensive records, and assist in evaluating program effectiveness. Critical to this role is the assessment of safety issues, offering tailored safety planning, adherence to organizational policies, and thorough case management, including goal-oriented plans for families with children.

**What You'll Bring to Our Team**
- Post-secondary education in Child and Youth Care or a related field is required
- A minimum of 2 years of experience in a similar capacity
- Preferred prior knowledgeable of and experience working with a range of issues impacting children including homelessness, violence against women and children, immigration, poverty, developmental needs, parenting, behavior management, mental illness and harm reduction
- Knowledge of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act
- Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating individual and group programming
- Skill in effective crisis management and the ability to communicate effectively and establish relationships with clients and team members
- Demonstrated verbal presentation and written skills combined with the ability to work co-operatively negotiate effectively and facilitate teamwork with a variety of professionals
- Fluency in a 2nd language is an asset
- CPR certification or willingness to be certified is required
- Food Handling certificate or willingness to be certified is required
- Valid G license required
- Evidence of self-motivation, enthusiasm, and flexibility

**What We Offer**
- Be a part of a caring **TEAM THAT SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY**:

- Support for continuing **EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT**:

- Staff recognition programs along with access to self-care supports and **EMPLOYEE / FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM** (EAP)
- **POSITIVE **and **ENCOURAGING **atmosphere
- Make a difference and provide **HOPE** Extended Health Benefits
- Good Shepherd, a ministry of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, is an equal _Good Shepherd, a ministry of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, is an equal opportunity employer operating within an anti-racist and anti-oppression framework. We strive to establish workplaces that reflect and are enhanced by the rich diversity of the community we serve. _Good Shepherd is committed to integrating Harm Reduction practices into our programs and to prioritizing the rights, dignity, and choices of those who use substances_
- Good Shepherd has a mandatory verification of COVID-19 vaccination p