Peer Support Specialist

Catholic Community Services Of York Region; Richmond Hill; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Community Services Of York Region is recruiting a Peer Support Specialist for the Women's Initiatives Program in our main office. The role focuses on empathetic, nonjudgmental support for newcomer and underserved women and connects them with survivors navigating healing and recovery.

The position emphasizes empowerment, equity, and trauma-informed care, with one-to-one mentoring, group facilitation, and resource navigation.

Qualifications

• Ability to engage with others from a place of empathy, respect, and shared experience, while maintaining healthy boundaries.
• Effective communication, active listening, and people skills.
• Comfort working with diverse populations, immigrant, disabled, and other marginalized communities.
• Commitment to equity, healing, and survivor empowerment.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one peer support and mentorship to women, offering emotional support and guidance informed by shared lived experience.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate peer-led support groups in collaboration with program staff.
• Assist participants in navigating community resources, including referrals to counselling, legal services, housing, healthcare, and employment supports.
• Participate in outreach, engagement, and community education activities to reduce stigma and promote survivor-centered services.
• Support a welcoming, inclusive, and healing program environment.
• Document participant interactions and service linkages in line with confidentiality standards.
• Attend supervision, training, and team meetings to align with trauma-informed, anti-oppressive practice.

Skills

Empathy

Effective communication

Active listening

Diversity & inclusion

Equity & survivor empowerment

Peer support experience

Job description

We continue to recruit to join the Women's Initiatives Program at CCSYR.

We thank upfront all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Department: Women's Initiatives Program

Location: Main Office at 50 HT Road

Reports to: Women's Initiatives Coordinator

Application Deadline: August 31, 2026

Position Overview

The Peer Support Specialist will focus to ensure that newcomer women, underserved visible minority women are provided empathetic, nonjudgmental support and connection to survivors currently navigating healing, advocacy, or recovery.

This role is grounded in the belief that shared experience can be a powerful tool for healing. As a trusted peer and advocate, the Peer Support Specialist helps reduce isolation, build community, and foster resilience among newcomer women and underserved visible minority women. The ideal candidate will be deeply committed to women' empowerment, trauma-informed care, and equity.

Expected Compensation

Gross salary will be $22.00 per hour based on 37.5 hours per week. All payments are subject to the required statutory employee deductions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one peer support and mentorship to women, offering emotional support, validation, and guidance informed by shared lived experience.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate peer-led support groups in collaboration with program staff.
• Assist participants in navigating community resources, including referrals to counselling, legal services, housing, healthcare, and employment supports.
• Participate in outreach, engagement, and community education activities as needed to reduce stigma and promote survivor-centered services.
• Support the creation of a welcoming, inclusive, and healing environment within the program space.
• Document participant interactions, service linkages, and group activities in accordance with confidentiality and organizational standards.
• Attend regular supervision, training, and team meetings to build skills and ensure alignment with trauma-informed, anti-oppressive practice.

Qualifications

• Ability to engage with others from a place of empathy, respect, and shared experience, while maintaining healthy boundaries.
• Effective communication, active listening, and people skills.
• Comfort working with diverse populations, immigrant, disabled, and other historically marginalized communities.
• Commitment to the values of equity, healing, and survivor empowerment.
• Previous experience in a peer support, advocacy, or volunteer role in a social service or community-based organization.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills are highly valued.

Other

• Participating in agency fundraising activities as deemed appropriate and necessary by Senior Management
• Attend required agency activities and meetings.
• Must support the values, vision and mission of the agency and the matrix management group.
• The incumbent must be bondable and cleared by a police reference check.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment.
• Some travel may be required to satellite locations and meetings.
• Some evening work may be required.

Physical Requirements

• Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard.
• The incumbent in this position frequently communicates with internal and external stakeholders.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Hiring

Artificial intelligence is not used to screen, assess, or select applicants for this role.

Accessibility & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Accommodation is available upon request at any stage of the hiring process.