Community Shelter Support Worker- Housing Worker

YWCA Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community service organization in Toronto is seeking a Community Shelter Support Worker to provide vital services to shelter residents. The role involves crisis counselling, case management, and ensuring the health and safety of the shelter environment. Candidates should have a degree or equivalent experience and 3-5 years in direct service roles with marginalized populations. This full-time position offers comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits

Pension plan

Paid time off

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field (e.g., BSW) or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years’ experience in diverse, direct service roles with marginalized populations.
• Experience in leadership, program development, and evaluation.
• Certificates in Housing Help Services and Toronto Hostel’s Training Certificate or equivalent.
• Knowledge of anti-oppression, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and feminist frameworks.
• Understanding of systemic oppressions and delivering culturally sensitive services.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and computer skills.
• Additional assets include knowledge of relevant legislation, trauma counselling certification, and second language skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement support strategies considering trauma and gender-based violence.
• Use harm reduction approaches to support shelter stay, recovery, and community engagement.
• Provide crisis intervention and support for mental health/substance use challenges.
• Support housing advocacy, referrals, and resource linkage.
• Offer supportive counselling and conduct housing needs assessments.
• Assist participants in developing social and living skills, setting goals, and making positive choices.
• Provide case management focusing on housing readiness.
• Follow policies and procedures, including Toronto Shelter Standards.

Job description

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Work Hours: 35 hours per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 3:30 PM to 11:30 PM; Thursday, 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM)

Salary: $59,399 per annum (L7), plus comprehensive benefits

Location: 80 Woodlawn Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1C1

Application Deadlines: Internal - Friday, August 15, 2025; External - Monday, August 18, 2025

Join Our Team

YWCA Toronto values anti-discrimination and anti-oppression principles to ensure respectful and protected rights for all. We encourage applications from women and gender-diverse individuals of all races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, and sexual orientations.

Position Overview

The Community Shelter Support Worker collaborates within a team to provide meaningful services to shelter residents, including crisis counselling, case management, and workshop development. The role also involves ensuring the health and safety of the building and providing housing supports to participants at 80 Woodlawn.

About 1^st Stop Woodlawn

This program offers up to 62 shelter beds for youth (16-24 years) and adult women, trans, and non-binary individuals, within a congregate living site that includes 72 units of permanent housing. The role involves case planning and adherence to Toronto Shelter Standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement support strategies considering trauma and gender-based violence.
• Use harm reduction approaches to support shelter stay, recovery, and community engagement.
• Provide crisis intervention and support for mental health/substance use challenges.
• Support housing advocacy, referrals, and resource linkage.
• Offer supportive counselling and conduct housing needs assessments.
• Assist participants in developing social and living skills, setting goals, and making positive choices.
• Provide case management focusing on housing readiness.
• Follow policies and procedures, including Toronto Shelter Standards.

Note: May require working outside regular hours, including overnights.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field (e.g., BSW) or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years’ experience in diverse, direct service roles with marginalized populations.
• Experience in leadership, program development, and evaluation.
• Certificates in Housing Help Services and Toronto Hostel’s Training Certificate or equivalent.
• Knowledge of anti-oppression, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and feminist frameworks.
• Understanding of systemic oppressions and delivering culturally sensitive services.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and computer skills.
• Additional assets include knowledge of relevant legislation, trauma counselling certification, and second language skills.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive health benefits, pension plan, paid time off, and other benefits.

Additional Notes

A vulnerable sector police check is required. This position is unionized (CUPE Local 2189). Please specify internal candidacy in your cover letter. The posting date is August 6, 2025.

YWCA Toronto promotes anti-oppression principles, encourages diverse applications, and provides accommodations during the hiring process upon request. We are a scent-sensitive workplace.