Transitional Housing and Outreach Counselor

**Transitional Housing and Outreach Counselor**

Ernestine's Shelter is an organization that provides support and shelter for women, Two-Sprit, trans, non
- binary and gender diverse individuals, youth and children experiencing violence. Within a solidarity model, Ernestine's acknowledges the multitude of issues facing survivors of abuse and provides crisis intervention and a range of holistic services.

Under the general guidance and direction of the Supervisor, Programs and Client Services, the Transitional Housing and Outreach (THO) Counselor works directly with clients who are currently experiencing or who have experienced violence and are presently living within the broader community or within a City of Toronto Shelter. The Transitional Housing and Outreach Counselor provides counselling, advocacy, food bank, legal, housing and resource supports. The THO Counselor also acts as an advocate with emphasis placed on developing resources and connections to community supports and services.

The THO Counsellor also works with clients transitioning out of the shelter program and into the broader community, through collaboration with the Shelter Program providing a continuum of support, referrals and action plans for clients. This individual also will develop and implement awareness building education for targeted audiences including schools, community organizations, employers and other audiences in relation to gender based violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

**COUNSELING**
- Provide one-on-one client support, case management and counselling, and acts as an advocate with emphasis placed on developing appropriate resources and connections to community supports and services.
- Maintain continuity of services for clients transitioning from the Shelter Program to the THO Program by following up on case plans and referrals.
- Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills informed by an integrated anti-racism, anti-oppression feminist approach.
- Possess solid understanding of the violence and/or sexual exploitation sector, Criminal Injury Compensation Applications, Victim Impact Statements, Child Protection legislation, Legal system and the systemic and political barriers facing individuals escaping violence and sexual exploitation.
- Maintain working knowledge of various income security programs such as Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (El), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Old Age Security (OAS) and Ontario Works (OW).
- Support and accompany clients to housing and other appointments and services when appropriate.
- Excellent crisis counselling, supportive counselling, conflict mediation and de-escalation skills.
- Proficient in fostering and maintaining a trauma-informed approach and harm reduction framework in work with clients.

**PUBLIC EDUCATION**
- Coordinate and collaborate with Transitional Housing Support team to implement a targeted outreach strategy to survivors of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, or individuals at risk.
- Research, develop, and facilitate gender-based violence awareness workshops, presentations, and media content, elevating brand recognition of Ernestine’s, and its programs and services.
- Develop and implement awareness building education for targeted audiences including schools, community organizations, employers and other audiences.
- Source and maintain opportunities for collaborative partnership with like-minded organizations to address needs of survivors of gender-based violence and/or sexual exploitation.
- Keep current of trends, community resources and developments in the gender-based violence sector by participating in workshops, conferences, and continued professional development.

**RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION**
- Coordinate distribution of donations to clients via onsite foodbank and clothing bank.
- Coordinate distribution of donated items to clients during organization-led events and holidays (i.e., back-to-school, Eid, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas).
- Distribute and maintain inventory of start-up kits for clients re-entering the community.
- Provide information and referral to external programs and services as determined by each client/family.
- Actively leverage internal programs and services and work with external organizations to maximize clients’ access to resources and to enhance services (i.e., Furniture Bank, Shelter Movers, Dress for Success).

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Completion of a University Degree or College Diploma in Social Services/Social Work /Gender Studies or other relevant field.
- Knowledge of the impact of systemic oppression on women, Two Spirit, trans and non-binary and gender diverse adults and children, including sexism, racism, poverty, homophobia, transphobia, and dis/ability.
- Demonstrated knowledge, skills, training and experience with providing services to clients with single or polysubstance use, using a harm-reductio