Housing Prevention

**The Organization**

Our goal is to create positive and meaningful connections; increase school engagement, high school graduation, and post-secondary enrolment; and increase stable housing, improved mental and physical health, and strong support networks. StepStones adheres to a “whatever it takes” approach to servicing youth and we go above and beyond to support their needs.

At StepStones for Youth, our mission is to create a strong sense of belonging in the lives of youth in and transitioning out of the foster care system. We are dedicated to providing support, opportunities, and a nurturing environment that helps young people build a brighter future. If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people and possess a creative and strategic mindset, we invite you to join our team.

**_ Why Work With Us:_**
- **Comprehensive Benefit Package**: includes 2K to paramedical services, and Short Term and Long-Term Disability including Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & Grief counselling available free of charge (in addition to benefits) for work related incidents
- **Time-Off**: 17 days vacation with a 1-day vacation increase per year worked, up to 25 day’s vacation
- **Leave**: 8 sick days, 3 personal days, 1.5 medical appointment days, paid bereavement allowance
- **Professional Development**:Training allowance of $700 per year
- **Reimbursements**: Mileage provided at a competitive rate and all staff are given a petty cash budget
- **Tools you need to succeed**: All staff receive a MacBook, iPhone, Headphones and access to our mobile friendly CRM system PPE is also provided.
- **Flexible work hours**: Work on your time when needed
- **Extended Break**: 1.5 lunch break healthy living program when you exercise for 30 minutes during lunch

**The Opportunity**

The Homeless Prevention and Service Navigator works with youth currently involved in our programs, those identified by our partner agencies, and their mentors. Through creative, patient, and persistent outreach, the Homeless Prevention and Service Navigator will engage youth and provide effective support and advocacy. This position develops and maintains up to date knowledge of relevant community support resources and create effective working relationships with key partners to promote a responsive and supportive approach to assisting youth in the program.

**_ What you will be responsible for:_**
- Operating from a youth-led approach, connecting youth with resources, services and programs that work to meet their identified needs and goals.
- Supporting youth with attending apartment viewings.
- Landlord engagement and advocacy.
- Maintaining and expanding on an ongoing basis, a detailed database of resources to support youth with anything they may be looking for.
- Attending events and workshops to provide a visible presence to the youth, and engage them in discussions about how Service Navigation can support their goals.
- Establishing and maintaining strong, positive, and collaborative relationships with all outside partners and resources.
- Conducting intake interviews with referral sources including self-referring youth
- Providing a detailed summary of the youth’s strengths, needs and goals as identified at intake in a weekly intake meeting with management.
- Following up after intakes and supporting warm transfers to other agencies.
- Develop education plans for every youth in the program.
- Sourcing housing, emergency, and mental subsidies.
- Finding and connecting employment services for youth.
- Finding and supporting housing needs.
- Working as part of a cohesive team, working together to help young people recognize their worth and reach their goals.
- You have a proven ability to build and maintain relationships by engaging others to effectively establish credibility, solve problems, build consensus, and achieve objectives.
- A thorough understanding of anti-oppression, anti-Black and Indigenous racism, diversity, LGBTQ+ positive and anti-poverty values and principles.
- You have a proven ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment demonstrating teamwork, innovation, and excellence.
- You are self-motivated and decisive with the ability to adapt to change and competing demands.
- You possess strong organizational, assessment, and time management skills.
- You maintain accountability and reliability and are able to work effectively and independently under the pressure of tight timelines, competing priorities, and emergent issues.

**_ What we’re looking for:_**
- Someone who likes the idea of starting, building and maintaining relationships with resources.
- Someone who isn’t afraid to make ‘cold calls’, to be creative in their search for new resources and partnerships.
- Someone who can be flexible both with their approach and their time in order to best meet the needs of young people.
- 2+ years of successful experience working with youth who are considered high