Youth Worker

Youth Worker

Outreach Department

Onsite

Full Time, Permanent

Level 6

Requisition Number: DIO

Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada's largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk, we offer the widest range of services to hundreds of young people every day.

More than a place to stay, we provide life-changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth's immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals. We offer 24/7 crisis shelter transitional housing options on-site and, in the community, health and well-being support, training and skill development, and ongoing care once youth move into the community.

For over 40 years, Covenant House has been dedicated to its mission of serving youth on the street and to protect and safeguard all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love. Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people.

Overview:

The chosen candidate will be responsible for direct implementation of Covenant House philosophy, mission statement and policies as they pertain to disconnected, homeless and hard to serve youth. As a member of the community support services team, you will establish relationships, provide counselling and case management on an on-going basis via networking in the community.

We are currently recruiting for 1 Full-time, Permanent Youth Worker. This is a replacement role within the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage brief service and community support plans
• Provide a welcoming environment to youth
• Establish healthy relationships by engaging with youth
• Provide daily on going, supportive and crisis counselling
• De-escalate physically and verbally hostile situations
• Assess youth's needs for food an provide meals, and food packages in accordance with the safe food handling practices
• Refer clients to appropriate resources both within Covenant House and in the community
• Support youth in reconciling with family
• Capture stats on ETO
• Document client touch points on ETO system
• Gather and update information, i.e. flyers, posters, etc.
• Clean kitchen including: Defrosting freezer, clean refrigerator, wash dishes, clean milk machine, stove and microwaves
• Screen for weapons, drugs, gang paraphernalia, alcohol
• Back up and relief for C.S.S. reception

Qualifications

• Applicants must possess a Child and Youth Worker diploma
• A minimum 2 years working experience with hard to serve youth.
• You must be skilled in assessments, diffusion, intervention and counselling, with excellent verbal and written skills.
• You must be a team player with an ability to understand and support the needs of volunteers
• An ability to work with a high degree of autonomy;
• Have a working knowledge of community resources, safe food handling, First Aid, C.P.R. and basic computer skills.

Don't meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet all qualifications. If you are excited about the role but your resume doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the description, apply anyway. You may still be the right candidate for this or other roles.

What we Offer:

• Meaningful work.
• Competitive compensation.
• Benefits such as Health, Dental, Vision, Personal Days, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.
• Employee perks which include discounts on gym membership, city bike rentals, auto & home insurance and more.

Interested candidates are welcome to apply directly to this posting on or by January 30, 2026. Only those selected to move forward in our recruitment process will be contacted. No agencies or phone calls please.

Use of AI and Technology in the Hiring Process

Covenant House Toronto does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to make or inform hiring decisions. However, we do use an external applicant tracking system (ATS) to help manage applications efficiently.

While our ATS may apply automated filters or sorting functions, all applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters. No hiring decisions are made by AI.

Commitment to Equitable Recruitment

At Covenant House Toronto we believe in a workplace culture of inclusion that is welcoming, respectful and safe for all staff. It is critical to Covenant House Toronto success to eliminate barriers and promote the inclusion of equity groups. Equity groups have been, and continue to be, underrepresented and marginalized in the workforce, leadership roles, and in some specific occupations. Equity groups include but may not be limited to Indigenous persons, racialized people, gender diverse people, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Covenant House Policy on Accommodation, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the Covenant House recruitment process.