Drop-in Worker - Part-Time 1 year contract

Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre; Toronto; On-site; CAD 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC) invites applications for a part-time Drop-In Program Worker to join our weekend team. You will support members, provide crisis interventions when needed, and help run small group activities, ensuring a welcoming, safe space for marginalized individuals.

The role emphasizes collaboration with staff and volunteers, advocacy and community outreach, and adherence to agency policies and relevant legislation related to mental health and social services.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years direct experience in a community mental health or related setting.
• Post-secondary education in related field or specialised training in psychosocial rehabilitation or related fields.
• Knowledge of issues faced by psychiatric survivors & marginalized people.
• Experience with advocacy, crisis prevention, and navigating systemic barriers.
• Ability to work in a high-stress environment with a diverse team.
• Experience supervising member workers, students and volunteers.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and computer skills.
• Experience with housing eviction prevention, legal, food security and income security.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct/personal member support during drop-in operations.
• Respond to member concerns and reference additional support activities.
• Run small group activities and recreational programs as assigned.
• Support development of community resources and contribute to public education.
• Uphold safety and preserve a healthy space at PARC.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Written skills

Computer skills

Crisis prevention

Teamwork

Stress management

Advocacy experience

Education

Post-secondary education in related field

Trauma-informed counselling training

Job description

Summary

The Drop-In Program Worker works with the drop-in team to ensure the smooth operation of the Drop-In program and its related services to PARC members (a member is defined as any or all of the following: psychiatric survivor, marginalized, homeless/under-housed or socially isolated person).

Responsibilities

Drop-In Program Worker carries out a variety of duties during drop-in operations direct/personal member support, crisis interventions, responding to member concerns and making recommendations for further support activity and running small group activities and recreational programs as assigned. Drop-In Program Worker carries out various assigned tasks supporting different aspects of the weekend or weekday drop-in program on a shift by shift basis.

Drop-In Program Worker provides support and friendly contact for all members using the centre. The Drop-In Program Worker upholds safety and the preservation of a healthy space and access to PARC for all members.

Drop-In Program Worker will assist in the development of community resources, use creative strategies to address systemic issues, and contribute to public education and awareness.

The practice of the Drop-In Program Worker is guided by the agency’s standards (policies & procedures) and relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act and professional standards and ethics.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years direct experience in a community mental health or community development setting with marginalized people, socially isolated adults, psychiatric survivors and homeless/under-housed people or combination of experience;
• Post‑secondary education in a related field or specialized training in Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Vocational Rehabilitation, Individual and Family Counseling, Community Economic Development, Trauma‑informed counselling. Completion of post‑secondary education in a related field or postgraduate specializing in Individual and Family Counselling, Social Recreation, Community Development, Crisis Prevention and Intervention.
• Sound knowledge of the issues presented by psychiatric survivors & marginalized people who have been homeless or under‑housed and pertinent legislation. Broad experience with individual, family, and systems advocacy. Counselling, crisis prevention and intervention experience. The ability to demonstrate sound judgment;
• A justice‑based analysis of social service provision, experience in navigating systemic barriers to resources and experience providing personal support for high need / high‑risk populations, gained either through life experience, front‑line work, social work education or some combination of the above;
• Excellent communication skills, organizational skills, written skills, and computer skills;
• Possess the ability to work effectively in a high‑stress environment with a diverse team;
• Experience with supporting and overseeing the work of member workers, students and volunteers;
• Experience with system navigation about our members experience including housing‑especially eviction prevention, legal, food security, diversity/inclusion and income security;
• Experience with advocacy or community organizing.

Hours of Work

The Part‑Time Drop‑In Program Worker work schedules is during the Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) primarily between the hours of 10am - 3:30pm and option to work on stat holidays.

PARC is an equal‑opportunity employer and encourages applications from people who are reflective of the diverse communities we serve. We strongly encourage applicants with lived experiences, from Aboriginal communities, people of all races, colours, ethnic origins, religions, disabilities, and sexual orientations to apply. We recognize that equitable access to employment is an agent in social change.

If you have any requirements for accommodation due to disability, please advise Human Resources during the recruitment and selection process. We will work with you to best meet your needs as per resources available to us.