Part Time Toronto, ON, CA
27 days ago Requisition ID: 1185
Title: Community Support Worker- Drop In Overnight (Part Time)
Hours: Part Time, 18 hours per week (Saturday and Sunday)
Location: 962 Bloor St West and Occasional accompaniments in the community
Supervisor: Drop in Supervisors
Sistering is a multi-service agency for at-risk, socially isolated women and trans people in Toronto who are homeless or precariously housed.Our harm reduction philosophy is a core element of all the work we do. We operate on a trauma-informed and relationship-based model. Our programs include a low-barrier 24/7 Drop In, Housing and Case Support, Harm Reduction, Peer Outreach, on-site Medical Clinic and Spun Studio social enterprise.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Community Support Worker-Drop In (CSW) will be responsible for supporting the day-to-day functions of the 24/7 Drop In. The CSW will work as part of a team to provide practical support, case support and advocacy to women from a client-centered, trauma informed, harm reduction, anti-oppressive perspective. The successful candidate will bring a commitment to advocacy and social justice issues.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program:
- Work productively and collaboratively within a team to ensure the smooth day-to-day operations of the 24/7 Women's Drop In
- Provide programming and supports within a low-barrier, harm reduction, trauma informed framework
- Provide practical support to women such as assisting with meal preparation and service, distribution of donations and facilitating the use of shower and laundry facilities
- Provide individual support to women using case support, informal counselling and trauma-informed interventions
- Deliver harm reduction programming and participate in the distribution of kits and information related to safer drug use
- Provide support to women who are withdrawing from alcohol and other substances
- Provide information, community referrals and resources to participants related to topics such as sex work, mental health, addictions, health and housing
- With team members, develop, and deliver programming that is responsive to the needs of participants
- Facilitate small and large group work
- Identify, intervene and effectively deal with emergency, crisis and conflict situations
- Ensure that the Drop In space is clean, well maintained and organized
- Supervise placement students and volunteers
- Provide direction and support to participant cleaners and kitchen assistants
- Assist with early morning drop off and unloading food orders and supplies where necessary
Administration:
- Facilitate and ensure consistent and clear communication across all 3 shifts of the 24/7 Drop In and across the organization
- Assist in the implementation of appropriate program evaluation tools
- Complete program evaluations and participate in priority setting for Sistering
- Write reports, maintain up to date files, and prepare daily and monthly statistics
- Participate in staff meetings, daily log meetings and agency committees
- Occasionally assist with the purchase and maintenance of program equipment and supplies
- Participate in regular supervision meetings with the Drop In Supervisor
Advocacy and Community Building:
- Advocate on behalf of women within Sistering and with other agencies
- Collaborate with service users to identify directions and methods for social change
- Develop and engage in advocacy in order to address systemic issues of homelessness and poverty with an emphasis on sex worker rights and consumer survivor issues and rights
Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in social work/social services/human services work or equivalent education and lived experience
- Thorough knowledge of and experience with community-based resources and services including shelter support, housing, legal, income support, health, mental health and settlement
- Thorough understanding of and experience working in programs serving women with complex intersecting needs including homelessness, mental health issues, addictions and histories of trauma
- Experience working in a low barrier drop-in or similar environment
- Skilled in crisis intervention, de-escalation, conflict resolution and group facilitation
- Strong understanding of client-centered, trauma-informed, low barrier and anti-oppression practices
- Demonstrated commitment to principles of harm reduction and knowledge of substance use
- Understanding of peer led model of engagement and interest in working with peer workers
- Proven ability to provide case support and advocacy to women from a feminist and anti-oppressive perspective
- An understanding of systems that cause and support homelessness, poverty and marginalization
- Strong communication skills, both written and oral
- Highly developed interpersonal skills and ability to build effective relationships with participants, team members and community partners
- Strong problem-solving, team building and priority setting skills
- Ability to work in a fast paced and demanding work environment
- Additional languages besides English an asset
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience using Pirouette, SMIS or similar database an asset
WORKING CONDITIONS:
This position works in the office and community. Sistering is a 24/7 operation, fast paced, intense environment. There may be the risk of exposure to potentially unpredictable behaviours and situations. Sistering is a pet friendly facility and as such, employees can expect to be in the proximity of animals.
Sistering is an Equal Opportunity Employer; we welcome and encourage applications from black, racialized persons/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities.
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