Drop-in Support Worker

**Support Housing Stability and Connection for Youth from Care**

**Who We Are**:
Aunt Leah’s Place is a nonprofit that helps prevent homelessness among youth aging out of government care and young mothers. Our **LINK Program** provides a continuum of support for young people, focused on offering housing outreach, life skills, and community connections — a network of care that mirrors what parented peers might receive.

**What You'll Do**:
**Who You Are**
- You bring empathy, resilience, and a genuine passion for supporting vulnerable youth.
- You have education and/or experience in Child and Youth Care, Social Services, or a related field.
- You’re confident working independently, in the community, and in dynamic environments.
- You understand trauma-informed practice, youth development, and housing systems like the Residential Tenancy Act and Housing First.
- You’re organized, flexible, and approach challenges with creativity and problem-solving skills.

**Key Responsibilities**

As a Drop-In Support Worker with Aunt Leah’s Link Program, your work will be grounded in **housing stabilization**, **trauma-informed support**, and **community connection**. Your responsibilities will include:

- **Creating Safe, Inclusive Spaces** - Plan and facilitate welcoming drop-in sessions, workshops, and group activities that build life skills, confidence, and connection.
- **Building Trusting Relationships** - Use a person-centered, trauma-informed approach to offer consistent, caring support to youth and young families.
- **Providing Wraparound Support** - Connect participants to mental health, education, and employment resources, and liaise with landlords and housing partners.
- **Promoting Housing First Principles** - Ensure your work aligns with the six core principles of Housing First, including rapid access to housing, tenant rights, and community integration.
- **Collaborating and Communicating** - Keep clear case notes, attend team meetings, and maintain strong communication with colleagues, partners, and funders.
- **Staying Committed to Growth** - Engage in training and professional development, contribute to health and safety practices, and participate in an on-call rotation as needed.

**Job Summary**:
The Drop-In Support Worker is a key member of the Link Program team, which provides a continuum of supports to youth aging out of government care and young families at risk of homelessness. This role focuses on housing stabilization and outreach, using a trauma-informed and person-centered approach.

The Drop-In Support Worker holds a caseload of youth with lived experience in the child welfare system and provides support in diverse environments, including shelters, transitional housing, market housing, and community-based settings. The aim is to prevent homelessness and improve quality of life—offering consistent, compassionate support akin to what parented peers may receive.

**Reports To**:Link Program Coordinator

**Salary**: $24.50 an hour

**Qualifications**:

- Diploma or degree in Child and Youth Care, Social Services, or a related field, or a relevant combination of education and experience
- Minimum 1-2 years of experience providing direct support to youth
- Strong general suitability for the role, especially in working with marginalized populations

**Requirements**:

- Satisfactory Criminal Record Check (including vulnerable sector)
- Local Police Information Check
- Clearance as a Contracted Agency Caregiver through MCFD
- Level C First Aid with CPR
- Food Safe Certificate
- Agreement to uphold the Society’s Code of Ethics
- Adherence to Aunt Leah’s Practice Guidelines

**Assets**:

- Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License and access to a vehicle with $5,000,000 business liability insurance
- Clean Driver’s Abstract
- RentSmart Certification
- Mental Health First Aid
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certification

**Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA)**:

- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally safe practices
- Familiarity with the Residential Tenancy Act and Housing First principles
- Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
- Problem-solving, crisis management, and de-escalation skills
- Cultural competency and an understanding of the systemic impacts of colonization and the child welfare system

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:
**1. Direct Care - Drop In Housing Support**
- Facilitate and plan Housing Drop in activities
- Build trusting relationships with participants using a trauma-informed approach
- Provide budgeting support and housing education
- Liaise with landlords and community housing partners
- Prevent evictions and support housing transitions (including re-housing, evictions, and dispute resolution)
- Conduct regular home visits and support participants during moves
- Refer to internal and external services (mental health, education, employmen