Akwe: Go Program Coordinator

**Position**: Akwe:go Program Coordinator

**Location**: Barrie, ON

**Term**: Full time, permanent.

**Salary**:$49,600.00

**Closing Date**: May 6, 2025

**Who We Are**

The vision of the Barrie Native Friendship Centre is to improve the quality of life for all urban-Indigenous people in the area, regardless of legal definition by providing a gathering place which promotes unity and wholistic healing within the community at large. This is accomplished through a network of culturally based programs, services and teachings.

**Job Purpose**

The Akwe:go Program Coordinator will ensure the effective delivery of the Akwe:go program and services such that the needs of children (7-12 years old) referred to the program are met in a timely and culturally sensitive manner. The Akwe:go coordinator will aim to provide supports and tools for urban-Indigenous children and youth to promote healthy choices and wholistic wellbeing. The coordinator will offer a variety of strategies such as one-to-one activities, group programming, and family circles to encourage positive identity formation and wellbeing.

**PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- To support children and youth by providing participant based and one to one services that are timely and culturally relevant.
- Empower urban-Indigenous children and youth through educational, social, and cultural supports.
- Provide wrap around services, working with all other friendship centre programs, to ensure the development of a culturally relevant and strengths-based, person-centered Action Plan for each individual client.
- To promote awareness and ensure access to the program through a variety of outreach efforts and promotional activities.
- Promote the development of protocols and referral agreements as appropriate to meet the needs and outcomes of children and youth.
- To conduct strengths and needs assessments for children and youth and to develop client Action Plans to meet the needs and goals of children and youth in the program.
- To refer children and youth to appropriate services as required and to document, advocate and liaise with internal and external resources and supports.
- To ensure all service activities utilize culture throughout all junctures of planning and delivery.
- To always ensure appropriate supervision of clients and activities and to report incidents and SOR details to MCYS and the OFIFC as required.
- To engage in one-to-one and group-based supports with children and youth through an active case management structure.
- To accurately report and ensure all program objectives are being met in accordance with agreements.
- To utilize the OFIFC integrated database to input all data as required.
- Maintain strict confidentiality.

**SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- To outreach and engage community partners and stakeholders as it pertains to the needs of the children and youth served and the program deliverables.
- To participate in case conferences and Plans of Care as provided by CAS to support and ensure the needs of children and youth are met, when required.
- Manage and maintain individual program budget.
- Working and contributing with the team to organizational wide special projects (community events, socials, fundraisers, and committees etc.) when needed.
- Assist with planning and implementation of BNFC Children’s Camps and PA Day activities, when required.
- Other duties as assigned.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- The Akwe:go Program Coordinator shall work in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Barrie Native Friendship Centre;
- Shall possess post-secondary education in Indigenous studies, social work, child and youth work or combination of the equivalent and relevant education.
- Strong knowledge and awareness of FNMI cultures and history, with particular emphasis on family violence, child welfare, the impacts of trauma, youth engagement and community outreach.
- Ability to work professionally and collaboratively with child welfare agencies in Ontario.
- Strong understanding of the Child and Family Services Act and Ontario Children’s Aid Societies, with particular emphasis of impact on Aboriginal families.
- Able to take initiative and build relationships while representing the Barrie Native Friendship Centre
- Must have knowledge of managing budgets, creating maintaining, protecting and closing contracts;
- Experience with computer software, including software for data collection;
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills;
- Strong organizational, research, data analysis, and report writing skills;
- A proven ability to work independently and as part of a team;
- Must posses current First Aid and CPR or be willing to be certified;
- Must have a valid and current CPIC/VSS will be a condition upon an offer of employment;
- Valid Class G Driver’s License

**COMPETENCIES**
- Approachability
- Compassion
- Integrity and Trust
- Organizing
- Managing and Measuring Work

**WORKING CONDITIONS**
- Some e