Indigenous Wellness Advocate - Victoria, Canada - Threshold Housing Society

Threshold Housing Society

Verified Company

Victoria, Canada

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Position title**:
Indigenous Wellness Advocate

Job type:
Part-time, 20 hours /week

Reporting to:
Director of Housing & Support Services

About us:
We open doors for youth and prevent adult homelessness. We serve at-risk youth, including Indigenous youth, experiencing homelessness, aging out of care, or fleeing violence in the home. Young adults who need a place to call home and people who believe in them. We offer safe housing, community, and support to help youth make healthy choices and shift toward a brighter future.

Position Summary
We are seeking a team-oriented Indigenous (status, non-status, Métis, and Inuit) individual to join our expanding Housing team.

The Indigenous Wellness Advocate (referred to the Cultural Wellness Worker) will collaborate with the support team to develop an individualized care plan for Indigenous identifying youth.

They will support Indigenous youth in accessing their cultural practices.

The role will focus on directly supporting Indigenous youth, providing one on one support, connecting them to community and culture, facilitating cultural group programming, and providing specific training for staff.

Travel is required to attend events, conferences, and meetings.

Duties & Responsibilities

Work directly with Indigenous youth in a traumainformed manner to develop and modify goals and support wraparound client focused case plans.
Work with the Intake Coordinator and Case Manager regarding new Indigenous youth who enter the housing program.
Advocate for Indigenous youth and assist them in developing self advocacy skills.
Liaise with other agencies in the community to support youth to achieve client specific independence.
Liaise with Indigenous nations and organizations to support youth in their goals.
Provide specific training to THS staff regarding specific Indigenous learnings relating to supporting youth in the program.
Facilitate weekly and monthly programming regarding cultural wellness.
Keep abreast of all current social concerns and youth issues and attend professional development activities to remain informed regarding issues for atrisk youth as required.
Provide immediate response and assistance in crisis situations including contacting resources appropriate to the situation.
Additional tasks as assigned.

Education & Experience

Undergraduate degree or Diploma in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, or a related field;
Two years related experience working with Indigenous youth
Lived experience as a member of an Indigenous community and/or substantial cultural competencies with lived experience of engaging in and maintaining intercultural affiliations.
Indigenous cultural safety training or equivalent lived experience. Trauma informed practice education or experience would be an asset.
Good knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its Calls to Action, The Royal Commission on Indigenous People, The Indian Act, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
In depth knowledge of the intergenerational trauma that occurs as a result of colonization, including the impacts of the Indian Act, Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop, and other oppressive systems and structures.
Experience working within the recovery and addictions community is an asset
ASIST training and NVCI training

Proven Skills & Abilities

_ Cultural Wellness Skills_

Knowledge of Indigenous cultures, practices, and values; and issues affecting Indigenous peoples
Indepth understanding of appropriate protocol with Indigenous communities and organizations
Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous resources within the community; and ability to liaise with other nations and indigenous agencies
Demonstrated knowledge and approach to working with at risk youth under a harm reduction principle, trauma informed and strengthbased practice
Provide a practice rooted in social justice, Indigenous and antioppressive approaches to working with communities, families, and individuals

_Supportive Recovery Skills_

Experience offering staff guidance and specific training regarding supporting indigenous youth
Knowledge of mental health and behavioural issues from an Indigenous perspective of healing
Extensive experience around working with and supporting at risk youth
Knowledge of recovery and addiction supports and principles
Experience working with a team to develop case plans
An ability to meet youth where they are at and an understanding of the impacts of trauma on human development
Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries in the workplace and to work professionally (ethically) especially regarding matters of confidentiality

Other

Clear Criminal Record Check
Upto date membership in relevant professional association or societies
Follow all THS policies and procedures
Pursuant to section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference will be given to qualified applicants of Indi