Youth Advocate - Ajax, Canada - Durham Youth Services

Durham Youth Services

Verified Company

Ajax, Canada

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Part time

Description

Youth Advocate Job Posting (Part-time)
Working with vulnerable youth is more than just a job; it's a calling

You thrive in an environment that supports and empowers you to do what it takes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

At Durham Youth Services (DYS), we partner with youth to achieve and maintain lasting solutions to their housing crisis.

As a Youth Advocate, your priority is to uphold the organization's vision to end youth homelessness in the Durham Region.

You will work closely with clients staying in our Housing Focused Emergency Shelter to ensure a safe environment for youth experiencing homelessness as they work toward their housing goals.

Fulfilling the "shift expectations" of a shelter shift, you will be responsible for client intake, for checking in with clients on their housing goals, managing crisis and conflict amongst shelter residents as they arise, meal preparation and maintaining the cleanliness and order of the home.

Our Part-time Youth Advocate team works on a 3-week rotation, alternating the following shifts:

Week 1:
Saturday and Sunday 8:00am-4:30pm

Week 2:
Saturday and Sunday 4:00pm-12:30am

Week 3:
Saturday and Sunday 12:00am-8:30am

If you are a compassionate, resilient individual with a gift for building trust and making a meaningful connection with youth, despite complex barriers, we are interested in hearing from you Together, we will achieve our vision of ending youth homelessness in the Durham Region

So, What Will You Actually Do?

Be positive, supportive, kind, caring, empathetic, gentle, respectful, and compassionate to all youth, staff, students, volunteers, and other community members that you come in contact with.
Complete shelter diversion, intakes, and discharges according to the organizations policies and procedures
Support clients in achieving their housing goals
Monitor client medication administration when required
Review, maintain and complete documentation of all client interactions
Maintain safety within the shelter; deescalate conflict between clients as required
Use traumainformed care in supporting clients in crisis; provide unbiased, nonjudgmental support to clients.
Conduct hourly room checks (overnight)
Ensure all resident chores are completed
Conducting room searches and safety checks
Follow all policy and procedures regarding confidentiality, workplace harassment, health and safety, Emergency Shelter Standards
Attend all staff or individual meetings that are requested by the Program Supervisor, Director of Housing and Outreach Programs and/or Executive Director
Assist in keeping the shelter clean, including doing laundry, emptying garbage and recycling, cleaning out fridge and freezer
Tear down and clean out of rooms after discharge
Cooking meals and making lunches for clients

What Skills and Experience Will Make You Amazing At This Job:

Child and Youth Work diploma, Social Service Worker diploma or related degree such as B.S.W, and knowledge of and sensitivity to the life experiences and needs of youth

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Directly related experience an asset

Demonstrated skills, experience and passion working with atrisk, marginalized or street involved youth
Ability to provide crisis intervention and exercise good judgement in emergency and/or crisis situations
Ability to demonstrate awareness of diversity and cultural sensitivity
Awareness and comfort level working with youth from the LGBTQ+ community
Ability to work independently and take responsibility for all potentialities within a residential setting
Excellent interpersonal as well as written and verbal communication skills
Strong belief in a harm reduction philosophy
Computer literacy
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position
Proven good attendance record with the capability of maintaining this same standard.
Ability to acquire Vulnerable Sector Police Clearance
Must be available to work all shifts daytime, afternoon/evening and overnight
Required to work on public holidays and some weekends

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NOTE:
Youth Advocates may be exposed to clients who display aggressive and threatening behavior.
A successful Youth Advocate will recognize that this is due to the trauma our clients have endured, is not "personal" against the Youth Advocate, and will be skilled at de-escalating situations and supporting clients through crisis.

What Competencies Will Make You an Amazing Fit at DYS: