Family Support Coordinator

Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre; Oshawa; On-site; CAD 36,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre in Durham Region seeks a compassionate Family Support Coordinator to provide intake assessments, youth-focused grief counseling, and family support. You will facilitate groups, plan family events and their summer day camp, and help create new programs aligning with organizational goals.

The role emphasizes collaboration, confidentiality, and community resources, with on-site hours and a focus on empowering families facing cancer.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Social Work, CYC, or related field.
• 3–5 years of direct counseling, grief support, and group facilitation experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide intake assessments and ongoing emotional support and grief counseling for children, teens, and families.
• Facilitate in-person, online, and hybrid support groups; lead family events and summer day camp.
• Maintain confidential notes and collaborate with the Executive Director to expand the Family Support Program.

Skills

Empathy

Counseling

Group facilitation

Crisis intervention

Communication

Education

BSW/MSW or related

CYC or Child Life or related

Tools

Sumac/Societ

Job description

Family Support Coordinator

Are you a compassionate professional looking to make a profound, tangible impact every day?

As a dynamic and welcoming member of our team, you will provide intake assessments, individual emotional support, and grief counseling for children, teens, and families impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Beyond direct member care, you will facilitate support groups, lead signature family events and summer day camp, and develop new programs that expand our reach—all while furthering our mission to empower a community of compassionate support, knowledge, and hope.

About Us

Established in 1997, Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre supports the emotional, physical, and practical needs of individuals and families navigating a cancer diagnosis throughout the Durham Region and beyond. We welcome members and their loved ones to share experiences, access resources, and build resilience together through individual support, peer groups, wellness initiatives, caregiver and grief support, and specialized children’s programming.

Primary Responsibilities

Direct Member Support & Intake

• Conduct intake interviews and assess support needs for new families, children, teens, and adult members.
• Manage an active personal caseload and provide individual emotional support and grief counseling primarily for children and teens.
• Follow established follow-up procedures to ensure continuity of care, accountability, and member satisfaction following program completion.

Program Facilitation & Development

• Facilitate in-person, online, and hybrid support groups for adults, youth, and children.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement family activity days and our annual summer day camp.
• Develop guidelines, community resources, and specialized programming targeting key member needs: o Young Adult Cancer Support & Caregiver Support o Children and Youth Programming o Community Resource Navigation (school boards, family agencies, and local services)
• Conceptualize, launch, and evaluate new programs and member outreach initiatives in alignment with organizational goals.

Administration & Operational Support

• Adhere to program budgets and collaborate with the Executive Director to expand the Family Support Program.
• Maintain timely, concise, and non-judgmental client notes and database entries.
• Maintain high standards of confidentiality, safety, and alignment with organizational policies.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Social Work (BSW/MSW), Child and Youth Care (CYC), Child Life Specialist, or a related human services field.
• 3 to 5 years of professional experience in direct counseling, grief support, and group facilitation for children, youth, and families.
• Demonstrated experience supporting children through grief, bereavement, or acute family stressors.
• Experience in oncology or healthcare environments is considered a strong asset.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong clinical grounding in child/youth counseling methods and crisis support.
• Proven ability to facilitate engaging, safe group spaces across multiple formats (inperson, online, hybrid).
• Working knowledge of local Durham Region community agencies, school boards, and health services.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with strong interpersonal warmth and boundaries.
• Proficiency with MS Office and client database software (experience with Sumac/Societ is an asset).

Personal Characteristics

• Adaptable & Resilient: Thrives in a dynamic environment while maintaining focus, empathy, and high professional standards.
• Ethically Grounded: Demonstrates unwavering integrity and aligns daily practice with Hearth Place values.
• Empathetic Communicator: Actively listens and connects authentically with members, caregivers, staff, and community partners.
• Collaborative & Team-Minded: Works constructively across team boundaries to support colleagues and operational goals.
• Organized & Event-Ready: Exceptional time management skills to plan and execute high-quality family events and day camp activities.

Working Conditions & Compensation

• Hours: On-site position, averaging 36 hours per week (Monday through Friday) with occasional evening availability required for family appointments and group facilitation.
• Compensation: $26.00 – $29.00 per hour (commensurate with experience), plus abenefits package.

Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. If you require accommodations at any stage of the application or selection process, please inform us, and we will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation requests will be handled confidentially. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.