Peer Support Worker – Evenings

Canadian Mental Health Association

Northwestern Ontario

On-site

CAD 30,000 - 43,000

Part time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension)

Learning & professional development

Job summary

CMHA Kenora Branch is seeking a Peer Support Worker to connect and engage people at the Kenora Emergency Shelter. The role emphasizes lived experience, recovery, empowerment, and advocacy within a nonclinical framework.

Evening, part-time, 19-month contract. Shift 8:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m., Monday to Friday. Wage $26.27/hour. You will work with the Integrated Care Team (HART Hub) and EMHWare to coordinate supports and move clients toward housing.

Qualifications

Knowledge of issues related to poverty and homelessness.
Networking skills to connect with patrons and community resources.
Ability to assess dynamic risk and respond toEmergencies.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Experience in assessment, case management, advocacy, and counselling.
Understanding of Recovery Model, Harm Reduction, Housing First concepts.
Trauma-informed approach to care and support.
Cultural competence for diverse populations.
Ability to work independently with professionalism.
Familiarity with CPR/First Aid training or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

Adhere to CMHA Kenora Branch policies and confidentiality.
Develop supportive relationships with shelter patrons.
Assist in planning and coordinating housing goals and transition strategies.
Support navigation of health and social services.
Provide ongoing case management and progress reviews.
Advocate for patron needs within the community and shelter.
Collaborate with the integrated care team (HART Hub).
Assist with referrals, information sharing, and appointment reminders.

Skills

Poverty & homelessness knowledge

Networking skills

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Case management

Recovery model knowledge

Trauma-informed approaches

Cultural competence

Independence at work

Professionalism

CPR/First Aid training

Driver’s license

Tools

EMHWare

Job description

Why join CMHA Kenora?

We are a team committed to our vision of mental health support for all. We offer an inclusive, innovative, and high-performance work culture that helps us deliver transformational impact.The organization cares about the growth, safety and well-beingof employees and offers:

Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
Learning & professional development opportunities

Deadline to apply: November 3rd, 2026

Peer Support Worker – Evenings

Clinical Service Hub

Employer: CMHA Kenora Branch

Job Title: Peer Support Worker

Work Location: Kenora Emergency Shelter

Employment Status: Part-Time, 19-month contract

Wage: $26.27/ hour

For more information, please visit www.cmhak.on.ca

Overview:

The Peer Support Worker for the Kenora Emergency Shelter is responsible for connecting and engaging people who access the overnight emergency shelter. This position requires a person with a lived experience perspective and awareness of the needs of the patrons of the Kenora Emergency Shelter. The Peer Support Worker provides nonclinical services, information and referral, emotional support, goal setting and attainment, advocacy, role modeling and interpersonal skills with a focus on empowering patrons to make choices related to their life based on self-determination during the intake hours of the Kenora Emergency Shelter from 8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. Monday to Friday. The Peer Support Worker will be under the direct supervision of the Clinical Service Hub Team Lead and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Kenora Branch and will assist the Clinical Service Hub in follow-up that is required for patrons such as paperwork, relaying of appointments and notification of what is externally available to patrons for assistance with the ultimate goal of patrons staying at the Kenora Emergency Shelter to be as short as possible and moving people from needing shelter to being permanently housed. The Peer Support Worker will also assist as a liaison for paramedics and other emergency services during their shift to relay clinical information within the Canadian Mental Health Association Kenora Branch's clinical management system (EMHWare) that would assist with navigating supports for the patrons to divert from the emergency department where appropriate as well as service restrictions to the Kenora Emergency Shelter. The Peer Support Worker will also assist with navigating supports for patrons and others attending the Kenora Emergency Shelter to the co-located onsite integrated care team services (HART Hub) that will consist of low barrier access to a range of services through case management and transition support, nursing, peer support, transportation support, crisis stabilization support, addiction services, land-based cultural care, connection and referral pathways to supportive housing support, and onsite administrative support. The Peer Support Worker is expected to work as a member of a team and is expected to participate in regular peer and team supervision when required, by the Clinical Service Hub Team Lead and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian, Mental Health Association, Kenora Branch.

Qualifications:

Knowledge of issues related to poverty and homelessness

Networking skills and outreach skills

Ability to assess dynamic risk

Highly developed communication skills

Assessment, case management, advocacy, counselling, and recording skills

Understanding and applied knowledge of Recovery Model, Brief Therapy, Strengths Perspective, Harm Reduction, Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Housing First

Activities of daily living, problem solving skills and ability to teach and model these skills for clients

Cultural Competence for Diverse populations

Ability to work independently

Professionalism in the performance of duties

Cultural Competence

Understands Trauma-Informed approaches

Computer literacy

Ability to articulate and represent the perspective of lived experience and patron rights

Knowledge of issues related to poverty and homelessness

Applied knowledge of the Recovery Model and Philosophy - Peer support workers are uniquely positioned to support individuals in the process of recovery; supporting wellness and assuming individuals with mental illness have much to offer

Training in Peer Support Work (Ex. Core Skills SHH/TEACH, Core Essentials OPDI, training by Centre for Excellence in Peer Support)

Effective strategies to deal with stress

Knowledge of mental health/illness and mental health difficulties

Working knowledge of community resources and agencies

Minimum of 1 year volunteer experience in an official peer support role

Ability to work independently and advocate on behalf of patrons

Networking skills and outreach skills

Cultural Competence for Diverse populations

Professionalism in the performance of duties

Understands Trauma-Informed approaches

Ability to work across cultural barriers

Computer literacy and recording skills

Ability to adequately access public transportation

Valid Driver’s License

Criminal Records Check

Certification in CPR and First Aid or willingness to obtain same

Duties:

Adherence to all policies and procedures of Canadian Mental Health Association, Kenora Branch
Assurance of confidentiality of all clients, personnel and organizational records and information
Develop professional and supportive relationships with people accessing the overnight Kenora Emergency Shelter
Share common experiences with patrons and self-awareness
Assist in the development of individualized planning and strategies to support the achievement of housing goals and objectives for patrons as coordinated by the Clinical Service Hub Team
Assist in the development of an integrated Recovery Plan in partnership with the identified integrated care team and strategies to support the achievement of goals and objectives of clients of the HART Hub as it relates Peer Support needs of those receiving services
Providing on-going case management support to assess progress to ensure recovery plan outcomes are met or changed as needed with the Clinical Service Hub Team
Make appropriate recommendations for supports and services of patrons
Identify barriers that restrict and develop strategies that facilitate the patron’s ability to meet identified goals
Ensure clients are triaged to appropriate services that are co-located onsite by the integrated care team services which will consist of low barrier access to a range of services through case management and transition support, nursing, peer support, transportation support, crisis stabilization support, addiction services, land-based cultural care, connection and referral pathways to supportive housing support
Advocating for development of patron initiatives within the community and within the Kenora Emergency Shelter that identifies opportunities for patrons
Respond to inquiries and aid first responders and emergency services when presenting at the Kenora Emergency Shelter
Work collaboratively with patrons, co-workers, and the community
Support patrons to navigate the health and social service systems and connect to appropriate resources in their community to meet their needs
Support patrons to address problems/issues and find solutions
Support patrons to set their own goals
Support patrons to create a life of their choosing
Continuous assessment of risk
Alignment with the Core Values of Peer Support
Introducing and referring patrons to consumer self-help programs and advocacy organizations that promote recovery
Assist in reducing patron isolation and increase client community integration
Establish rapport with patrons, build a relationship of trust, respect, genuineness, and empathy while maintaining clear professional boundaries and sharing lived experience
Developed decision making skills to take appropriate actions ensuring safety of patrons and those around them
Assessment of client need and mental status; assess the level of need and determine appropriate response; including reporting of client disclosure of harm to self or others (implementation of agencies Suicide Strategy)
Conducting regular formal or informal evaluation of client satisfaction, achievement of goals, reassessment of service requirements and or needs in consultation with the client
Coordination of wrap around services in partnership with the Clinical Service Hub as assessed for client need
Participation in staff meetings and other meetings and committee work as directed by the Clinical Service Hub Team Lead & Chief Executive Officer
Collection and maintenance of statistical information and keeping appropriate records of direct and indirect service
Outcome monitoring and evaluation
Professionally representing Canadian Mental Health Association, Kenora Branch
Drafting all necessary correspondence and reports regarding clients
Participation in administrative and office functions, including ongoing maintenance of office space
Participation in educational and professional development opportunities
Provide a safe environment by ensuring adherences to Workplace Health and Safety Regulations and Policies, Infection Control Guidelines, WHIMIS and Safe Work Procedures; including but not limited to Fire, Disaster and Evacuation Plans
Ensure client safety and client safety activities are emphasized throughout orientation of new staff members and in day-to-day interactions with patrons
Support an environment which avoids, prevents, and corrects all activities or actions which may result in an adverse outcome in the delivery of mental health services
Responsible for self-care
Other duties as directed