Youth Harm Reduction Worker - Toronto, Canada - Lumenus Community Services

Lumenus Community Services

Verified Company

Toronto, Canada

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Peer Youth Harm Reduction Worker

LOCATION:
40 Orchard View Blvd, M4R 1B9, Toronto, ON (hybrid work)

POSITION TYPE:
Part-Time Fixed-Term (7.5 hours/week; 12-month contract)

POSTING CLOSING DATE:
January 30, 2023

In April 2020 Adventure Place, The Etobicoke Children's Centre, Griffin Centre and Skylark Children Youth & Families amalgamated to form Lumenus Community Services.

The vision of Lumenus is to provide excellent, accessible and integrated mental health, developmental and community services where every client has the opportunity to be seen, be heard and to be well.

Lumenus believes that immunization against COVID-19 is an individual and societal responsibility and that we must do everything possible to protect our clients, families, employees, students, volunteers and contractors against the spread of COVID-19.

As a condition of employment, proof of full vaccination or exemption under the Ontario Human Rights Code must be submitted to Human Resources seven (7) calendar days prior to start date

Lumenus Community Services is looking for a Peer Youth Harm Reduction Workers to join our Community Based Mental Health team as a member of our Youth Wellness Hub Ontario (YWHO) site.

As a Youth Wellness Hub site, Lumenus offers a wide range of services for youth aged 12-26 and their families including drop in, walk in counselling, brief counselling, ongoing therapy, group therapy, substance use and Harm Reduction programming, Case Management, Nurse Practitioner services and Psychiatry.

The main purpose of this position is to provide Peer Harm Reduction programming to youth, prioritizing 2SLGBTQ+ youth and Black Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) youth at the site.

Working closely with the Central Toronto Youth Wellness Hub (YWHO), Studio staff and the Harm Reduction Coordinator, the Peer Youth Harm Reduction Workers participate in the creation and delivery of participant-informed and youth-led harm reduction activities with, and for, service users.

Activities may include co-facilitating SESSIONS drug education programming, a Peer Harm Reduction Support Group, as well as, supporting youth to access harm reduction supplies and resources.

The Youth Harm Reduction Workers will also assist with the development and implementation of a sustainability plan and may be required to conduct community engagement and group activities with participants/clients for project evaluation.

Lumenus Community Services is a dynamic and growing agency. We offer a competitive salary, ongoing training, and career development opportunities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Collaborate with other Youth Harm Reduction Workers to determine programming and activities for the Central Toronto Youth Wellness Hub inclusive of the Studio
Participate in the design and delivery of client/participantinformed groups and/or workshops on harm reduction, substance use, and mental health for young people
Assist in cofacilitation of SESSIONS drug education programming
Collect feedback from service users to inform harm reduction resources for young people
Engage clients/participants in evaluation activities (i.e. focus groups, interviews)
Consistently model use of antistigma language when discussing drug use, mental health, and other stigmatized behaviours
Actively engage in antiRacist and antiOppressive ways of working with the team and participants
Active participant in evaluation of peer process
Participate in team discussions and skills building workshops
Other related duties as required.

Direct service

Support and promote an open, safe space where youth and/or adult participants feel comfortable discussing drugs and drug use without feeling stigmatized or judged in the context of youthengagement activities
Consistently model inclusive language/behaviour and respond to racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist and otherwise oppressive language/behaviour proactively and without shaming individuals
Act as educators to peer group(s) to provide appropriately tailored and accurate information on all aspects of harm reduction (self

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE:

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Knowledge of, and a willingness to learn about topics related to substance use, mental health, harm reduction, and sexual health
Nonjudgmental attitude about topics related to substance use, mental health, harm reduction, and sexual health topics
Willingness to develop workshops on integrating harm reduction into youth mental health services
Display a positive attitude towards diverse communities and commitment to creating youth positive environments
Knowledge of and experience with working with 2SLGBTQ+ youth, Black, Indigenous and youth of colour, as well as, youth who have intersecting identities from an antiRacist and antiOppressive stance
Ability to commit and express creativity and enthusiasm in youthled initiatives

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: