Youth Advocate - Ajax, Canada - Durham Youth Services

Durham Youth Services

Verified Company

Ajax, Canada

1 week 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, and our Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) team provides intense case management, for as long as it takes, to a small caseload of the most vulnerable, chronically homeless, suffering from mental illness and/or addictions.

As a Youth Advocate, your days 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 confront and overcome the issues that impede their ability to be housed, and support them in finding, securing, and maintaining safe and stable housing.

You are resourceful, with a keen awareness of the supports and resources available for vulnerable youth, and you have the skills to advocate for what your clients most need.

You will offer information, support and direction that will empower participants to make informed decisions in the hopes of improving their quality of life.

You will change lives.

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?
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Demeanor _

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.
Uphold the philosophy of the Housing-First model
Provide unbiased, nonjudgmental support to residents
Provide an environment that exudes safety and security to all residents, staff, students, and volunteers
Build positive, professional rapport with residents, staff, volunteers, students, and other members of the community
Communicate openly and honestly with the Program Supervisor, Director of Housing and Outreach Programs, Executive Director and/or Board of Directors regarding any concerns
Optimize team performance by contributing to positive and supportive work environment
Do not yell, degrade, harass, belittle or undermine any residents, staff, students or volunteers
Value diversity by understanding and respecting the practices, customs and values of other individuals and cultures.

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Shelter Diversion, Intakes, Orientation and Discharge_

Complete shelter diversion, intakes, and discharges according to the organizations policies and procedures
Practice the Housing-Focused model to explore and discuss past housing, barriers to housing, assistance required, current resources, and housing plan
Encourage residents to enroll in school and/or obtain employment
Using HIFIS consistently and in a professional manner
Keep accurate hard copy files and notes on each resident
Make sure that all files and notes are accurate and complete at discharge

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Case Management Responsibilities_

Uphold a housingfocused philosophy of selfresolution among residents
Search for and print out room/apartment rental listings
Engage in housing conversations/planning with residents
Provide life skills training for all residents on areas (such as cooking, budgeting, grocery shopping, etc.)
Update resource list (employment, mental health, addiction, etc.)
Advocate for residents throughout various community partners that will benefit and assist clients with their housing needs
Provide counselling support to residents and their families when needed
Documentation of all client interactions
Strong crisis intervention skills

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Shelter Specific Duties and Responsibilities _

Reading and updating all HIFIS notes and Communication Book every shift
Monitor client medication administration when required
Conduct hourly room checks
Conducting and documenting house meetings
Ensure all resident chores are completed
Conducting room searches and safety checks
Training new staff members, placement students and volunteers
Supervising placement students and volunteers
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

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Shelter Maintenance Responsibilities _

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
Grocery shopping
Picking up and unloading orders from Feed the Need
Cooking meals and making lunc