Youth Peer Support Worker

_Location: YMCA of Cumberland, Amherst, NS_
- Program: Integrated Youth Services (IYS)_
- Position Status: Full-time_
- Compensation: $40,000 - $54,561 per year_
- Reports To: Site Manager of Youth Leadership and Development_

**There is potential inside all of us - we all have it in us to shine.**

Every charity exists to help solve a problem - our charity exists to help solve many problems, from childcare shortages, social isolation, mental health issues, access to wellness, and more. Today, our network is spread across 100+ program locations in HRM and the province, meeting the most urgent needs of our communities in mental health supports, accessible childcare, supporting an increasing immigrant population, safe spaces for youth to grow and lead, helping to navigate a precarious labour market, delivering wellness programming for all, and creating community for isolated older adults.

We give people the tools, encouragement, and safe space to discover their inner strength. When they know someone’s in their corner, with unconditional support, they realize they can do more than they thought possible. It’s your support, expertise, and guidance that helps people ignite their full potential and shape our neighbourhoods into vibrant and healthy communities.

**With us at their side, they can Shine On.**

**As part of your total compensation**:

- Receive a complimentary YMCA membership to our Health & Fitness facilities
- Discounts on YMCA childcare and camp programs
- 3 weeks’ Vacation entitlement and paid wellness days
- Comprehensive benefits package and pension
- EFAP

**About the Role**:
Integrated Youth Services (IYS) is a dynamic international and pan-Canadian movement that aims to transform how youth access and receive services for substance use, mental health issues, and other key challenges. Operating within a community-led, partnership-based model, Integrated Youth Services-Nova Scotia (IYS-NS) will offer young people and their caregivers a range of in-person and virtual services, programs, and support, in one convenient location. In doing so, IYS-NS sites will provide a coordinated response that puts youth and caregivers at the center.

Reporting to the Site Manager and working under the clinical direction of the site Mental Health & Addiction Clinician, the Youth Peer Support Worker provides individual support, mentoring, and advocacy for youth (ages 12 to 25) who are experiencing challenges related to mental health and addictions.
The Youth Peer Support Worker employs a relational, empowering, developmental, trauma-informed, and equity-focused approach to practice.
The Youth Peer Support Worker works collaboratively with youth, their caregivers, members of the Integrated Youth Services team, and others, helping youth meet established goals & objectives, and supporting changes to care plans as needed.

**In this role you will**:
Embrace a wholistic approach to youth well-being, informed by the Pan-Canadian Guiding Principles of IYS, the social determinants of health, and the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility, and anti-racism (EDIRA-AR).

Under the clinical supervision of the site MHA clinician, provide direct service to assigned youth,
ages 12 to 25:

- Actively support youth to understand, improve, and maintain their mental and physical well-being.
- Facilitate referrals to services and programs, proactively support youth to create and maintain meaningful connections with service providers within and beyond IYS and facilitate the coordinated transfer and secure attachment of young people to adult services.
- Collaborate with youth and colleagues to establish, implement, and revise care plans and goals; support youth in achieving their goals.
- Assist with case management and crisis intervention.
- Collaborate with IYS colleagues and others to coordinate and integrate service delivery at all levels
- Where required, assist youth in entering data (identified in the minimum data set) into the IYS-NS data platform.
- Under the direction of the MHA Clinician, make use of data to guide care conversations and interventions.
- Plan and (co-)facilitate group programs for youth in order to foster social relationships and belonging, and to increase participants’ knowledge and abilities regarding mental health/addiction issues, cultural heritage & identity, life skills, and well-being (defined wholistically).
- In collaboration with the provincial Youth and Caregiver Engagement Coordinator, organize and support the site-based Youth Advisory Committee.
- Assist in developing and implementing youth peer support initiatives within the IYS site.
- Actively nurture and support formal and informal opportunities for youth engagement, personal development, peer support, and leadership.
- In accordance with an established site outreach plan, proactively engage with youth and young adults in the community who may benefit from IYS, in order to develop a rapport and introduce them