Peer - Food Access Worker

Title: Peer - Food Access Worker

Position Type: Part-time

Location: 962 Bloor St West

Supervisor: Food Access Supervisor

Compensation: $17.60/hour

Sistering is a multi-service agency which offers practical and emotional support to women and trans people facing a variety of challenging life circumstances, including poverty, homelessness, social isolation, mental health and trauma histories.

Our Vision

Sistering envisions a world where all women and trans people, in all our diversity, are valued; a world where we are safe and supported, treated with dignity, and given the respect we deserve. When opportunities are just and equitable, we can live life on our own terms.

Our Mission

Our goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space for women and trans people who are socially isolated, poor, homeless or precariously housed. Guided by principles of Anti-Oppression and Anti-Racism, Sistering works to change the social conditions that endanger women and trans

Sistering's programs include a low-barrier 24/7 Drop In, Housing and Case Support, Harm Reduction, Peer Outreach, On the Path to Employment and Spun Studio social enterprise, and individual and systemic advocacy.

How We Do It

Sistering operates on a trauma-informed and relationship-based model and our harm reduction philosophy is a core element of all the work we do: we are here to respond to participants' needs, where they are at, in the moment, to support participants to learn how to reduce harm and/or increase safety. In addition, we recognize that their lives have meaning and value.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Food Access Supervisor, the Food Access Worker is responsible for the smooth running of the Drop-In kitchen.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Preparing food for meal programs
• Works alongside volunteers to access food and assist staff with protocol and service delivery
• Assists with unloading groceries and stock management
• Works within Safe Food Handling Guidelines as specified by Public Health.
• Sanitizing work spaces and kitchen – before, during and after shift
• Cleaning and set up of meal preparation spaces and cooking area, including washing dishes
• Monitoring kitchen conditions for any health and safety hazards and reports hazards to staff –keeping guests out of the kitchen area.
• Maintaining and following personal hygiene including handwashing, hairnet/cap, covering open cuts/wounds, wearing closed toed shoes, gloves and sleeved shirts.
• Works collaboratively with other staff team members, participates in team meetings as required.
• Willingness to attend trainings and workshops to upgrade skill as required
• Preserves confidentiality and seeks to minimize risk
• Assists with stocking/inventory of kitchen supplies and food supplies

Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Personal experience and/or knowledge of (current or past) drug use, mental health, homelessness or street involvement.
• Willingness to utilize knowledge of lived experience to connect with community, providing peer-to-peer support.
• Volunteer or work experience with a food program and knowledge of cooking and food preparation
• Able to lift up to 10lbs to 30lbs comfortably, occasionally up to 50lbs
• Knowledge of community services and resources, and good advocacy skills
• Responsible, reliable and punctual
• Basic use of computer technology and various software applications
• Good communication skills
• Ability to actively listen
• Open to feedback
• Demonstrated display of sensitivity to others
• Good people skills - open, non-judgmental, and willing to learn
• Experience working in a kitchen an asset
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment
• Respects and values and diversity of communities and individuals
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of anti-racism, anti-sexism and to challenging other forms of oppression.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This position works in the kitchen. Sistering is a 24/7 operation, fast paced, intense environment. There may be the risk of exposure to potentially unpredictable behaviours and situations. Sistering is a pet friendly facility and as such, employees can expect to be in the proximity of animals.

Sistering is an Equal Opportunity Employer; we welcome and encourage applications from black, racialized persons/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities. Those who require special accommodation through the interview process will be provided with the appropriate support.

This role is an open vacancy, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Applicants will be informed of the outcome following an interview as per Ontario employment regulations.