Shelter Support Worker

Employment Type: Full-Time, Contract
Work Hours: 35 hours per week (Rotating shifts: with an emphasis on evenings and weekends)
Salary:  $55,808(L6) annually, plus Comprehensive Benefits
Location: Confidential Address - Downtown Toronto
Contract Start Date:  January 2, 2026
Contract End Date: January 1, 2027 Internal Application Deadline:  Monday, December 01, 2025
External Application Deadline: Wednesday, December 03, 2025
JOIN OUR TEAM
YWCA Toronto strives to uphold anti-discrimination practices and anti-oppression principles to ensure that the rights of all individuals are respected and protected. We work to promote a climate that is welcoming of all women and individuals who identify as Trans, intersex, non-binary, agender, and/or Two-Spirit. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people from all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations. 

As a specialist in the area of community engagement, the Shelter Support Worker – Community Engagement Worker works within a collaborative team to provide meaningful and relevant services within a theoretical feminist framework that includes a working knowledge of the dynamics and effects of trauma and oppression. The Shelter Support Worker – Community Engagement Worker acts as a resource to staff and clients and is responsible for providing a full range of services which includes crisis counselling and the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops, groups and activities that will assist families to engage positively with other residents and the broader community using their strengths and skills. The SSW-Community Engagement Worker will also be the primary case worker for at least one woman/family in the shelter.

ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – YWCA ARISE
YWCA Arise provides safe and secure emergency shelter for women, gender diverse people and their children who are fleeing violence.  The shelter is staffed 24 hours a day and supports 8 families and one single woman.  In addition to shelter, families are offered case management support and enriching group and community activities to help them deal with the trauma they have experienced and begin to establish lives that are free of violence.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIESApplies knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of woman abuse to develop and implement effective support strategiesProvides case management support services to residents Uses mediation and counseling skills to maintain a co-operative, supportive and productive house environmentThrough community engagement, promotes inclusion, participation and creativity, and builds a safe community where well-being and shared values are evident by providing connection within the shelter and in the outside communityPromotes positive family interactions and relationships by providing opportunities for collaborative activities within the shelter and out in the communityProvide opportunities for residents to develop leadership skills Promotes skillful problem-solving and conflict resolution in the shelter by using mediation and counseling skills to maintain the co-operative, supportive and productive shelter environmentWorks with women individually and/or in groups to establish a plan that will facilitate a safe and effective path to independenceDevelops and implements plans in partnership with clients  to support daily living skills, stress and health management strategies, social and creative engagement, and self-efficacy skillsCo-facilitates weekly resident meetings to evaluate programs, determine emerging resident needs and to encourage skillful problem solving and a cooperative living environmentDevelops, implements, facilitates and evaluates psycho-educational, life skills, and mutual-aid groups that address resident issues as well as trauma and woman abuse and focus on strengths and resiliencyEngages with the staff team in reflective practice, to ensure the development and implementation of quality programs and servicesQUALIFICATIONSIn-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a clinically supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW). An analytical framework that identifies clients' relation to social systems and the demonstrated practical application of this framework. (Cases for Equivalency will be considered);Completion of workshops and courses pertaining to mental health and trauma 1 to 3 years experience developing and facilitating community engagement groups, programs and activities that draw on the strengths of participants Knowledge of issues related to women abuse and trauma Knowledge of community resources and supports In depth knowledge of the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma Demonstrated experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of workshops and groups including knowledge of group and community engagement dynamics Experience delivering culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Proficiency in Microsoft Word, e-mail and the Internet Knowledge and understanding of mental health issues, addictions, advocacy, refugee and immigration issues, child development and parenting A certificate in trauma counselling would be an asset Knowledge of a second language and/or culture would be an assetWhat we offer:
 Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental CoverageLife Insurance and Long-Term Disability BenefitMulti-Sector Pension Plan: Employer's contribution of 5.75% and Employee Contribution of 3.25%Time off: Starts with 20 Vacation Days, 1.5 Days Per Month Sick Leave, 12 Paid Holidays, Health Promotional Days and 4 Float DaysOther Benefits: Child Care Benefits, Maternity/Parental Leave Supplementary Employment Benefits, Educational/Sabbatical Leave, and Financial Assistance for Professional DevelopmentPlease note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. This position is within the Bargaining Unit. Please indicate on your cover letter if you are an internal candidate. For internal applicants this position is not secondable.

YWCA Toronto promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations. 

YWCA Toronto provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

YWCA Toronto is a Scent-Sensitive Workplace.

Posting Date: November 21, 2025

YWCA Toronto transforms lives. As the city's largest multi-service women's organization, we help women and gender diverse people escape violence, move out of poverty and access safe, affordable housing.

We work tenaciously to break down barriers that hold women and gender diverse people back from achieving equality.

Vaccination Policy: In accordance with YWCA Toronto's COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all YWCA Toronto employees, students and volunteers are strongly encouraged to obtain all COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as recommended by Toronto Public Health

Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring.

YWCA Toronto promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.

YWCA Toronto provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

YWCA Toronto is a Scent-Sensitive Workplace.

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