Youth Reconnect Worker - Toronto, Canada - Covenant House Toronto

Covenant House Toronto

Verified Company

Toronto, Canada

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Youth Reconnect Worker

Hybrid, Downtown Toronto

Full Time, Permanent
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.

Purpose of Position

This position is an opportunity for someone who wants to be part of ground-breaking prevention work, and who has the skills and passion for supporting young people achieve success.

As part of the Youth Reconnect program team, the Youth Reconnect Worker provides community based direct support to young people who are at-risk of homelessness and school disengagement.

Youth Reconnect is an innovative 'upstream' homelessness prevention initiative.

The goal is to help young people stay engaged in school by helping to stabilize their living situation, either by addressing issues at home that are producing the risk of homelessness, such as family conflict, or through helping youth who can no longer stay at home find housing and support options in their community.

Youth Reconnect serves young people 14-18 years old, who are engaged in school, currently housed, at-risk of homelessness, and focuses on meeting the needs of youth that identify as Black and/or 2SLGBTQ.

This position will report to the Supervisor, Prevention Initiatives

Responsibilities:

Connect with youth referred by schools, child welfare agencies, and other community agencies
Provide services in locations convenient to youth and their family members and chosen supports (such as schools, family homes, and other community settings)
Work collaboratively with young people to assess and identify needs, and set actionable goals to help maintain school engagement and stable housing
Provide direct support that will help youth maintain/secure stable housing and engagement in school
Engage family members and chosen supports of youth as resources in achieving youths' goals
Link youth to specialized services (e.g., financial support, housing programs, mental health, addictions) as required
Directly assist youth to develop a social safety net to support them in the future and to help them as they move forward from the program
Facilitate group based activities, workshops and presentations as required
Work with stakeholders and partners to develop and promote this new specialized youth service
Contribute to analysis and evaluation of the program
Maintain all required documentation (including client files, case notes, and assessments and evaluation tools)

Qualifications:

BSW or Child and Youth Work Diploma, or equivalent in education and experience.
2 years' experience working with youth atrisk of and/or experiencing homelessness
Ability to advocate for, and promote, homelessness prevention
Excellent ability to engage in collaborative conversations with youth, with a demonstrated ability to generate effective solutions to meet youth's needs
Previous experience working in a communitybased mobile capacity is preferred
Previous experience making referrals and supporting youth access community resources
Demonstrated ability in working with a trauma informed, harm reduction approach and from an antioppression and culturally sensitive perspective/framework
Excellent communication (both oral and written) and organizational skills and ability to work independently, proactively, and collaboratively
Understanding of issues related to youth homelessness, Anti-Black Racism, 2SLGBTQ identities, mental health and substance use problems and disorders, disabilities and neurodivergence, adolescent development, and family dynamics.
Knowledge of community resources and systems relevant to youth atrisk of experiencing homelessness
Ability to work a flexible schedule including evening hours is required
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 Indigen