Relief Shelter Support Worker ( 5 positions) - DAV1382

YWCA Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pet friendly shelter

Job summary

YWCA Toronto Davenport seeks a Relief Shelter Support Worker to assist in delivering trauma-informed services in a shelter for women and gender-diverse people. You will support staff and residents, help with crisis management, conduct intakes, and ensure safety of on-site participants.

The role requires knowledge of trauma, anti-oppressive practice, and strong communication. Overnight shifts may be required. Compensation is $30.15 per hour (L5) at 348 Davenport Road, Toronto.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent completed.
• Training in mental health, trauma, harm reduction, crisis de-escalation.
• 1–3 years' experience in counselling and group work with at-risk/homeless women.
• Toronto Hostels Training Certificate (T.H.T.C.) or equivalent.
• Knowledge of social systems and anti-oppression framework.

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge of trauma dynamics and abuse to support residents.
• Use mediation to maintain a cooperative shelter environment.
• Support residents with mental health issues and access to community services.
• Provide informal support and assist in problem solving as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Crisis de-escalation

Harm reduction

Cultural sensitivity

Teamwork

Education

Undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Email

Internet

Job description

Employment Type: Relief
Position Status: Vacant
Work Hours: Varied as needed ( Overnight shifts may be required)
Salary: $30.15 per hour (L5)
Location: 348 Davenport Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1K6 Application Deadline: Monday, September 28, 2026

JOIN OUR TEAM

Join YWCA Toronto, where intersectional feminism, community voices, and social justice drive lasting change. We welcome women and gender diverse people of all identities into a workplace rooted in equity, collaboration, and inclusion

The Relief Shelter Support Worker at YWCA Davenport will support the permanent team and contribute to providing meaningful and relevant services within a theoretical feminist framework that includes a working knowledge of the dynamics and effects of trauma and oppression. The worker acts as a resource to staff and clients and supports the provision of services which includes crisis management and de-escalation, conducting intakes, supporting daily operations and ensuring the safety of the shelter and participants living on-site.

ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – YWCA DAVENPORT
YWCA Davenport provides up to 80 emergency shelter beds to young women and gender-diverse people (16 – 24 years of age) and adult women and gender-diverse people (25 and older) and is staffed 24 hours a day. This pet friendly shelter is funded by the City of Toronto and adheres to Toronto Shelter Standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Applies knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of abuse and homelessness to develop and implement effective support strategies
• Uses mediation and counselling skills to maintain a co-operative, supportive and productive shelter environment
• Negotiates supportive and flexible strategies to assist residents with mental health issues to access the support within the shelter and in the community and uses a harm reduction lens and supports participants to incorporate safe use strategies .
• Provides informal support to residents and assists in problem solving when necessary

• Provides supportive information to clients regarding their housing options
• Advocates with landlords and housing providers on behalf of client
• Any other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

• In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW) (Cases for Equivalency will be considered)
• An analytical framework that identifies clients' relation to social systems and the demonstrated practicalapplication of thisframework
• Completion of workshops and courses pertaining to mental illness, trauma, harm reduction, crisis de-escalation and anti-oppressive practice
• 1 to 3 years' experience in counselling and group work focused on clients at risk and/or homeless women
• Completion of Toronto Hostels Training Certificate (T.H.T.C.) or equivalent
• Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction principles and practice
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources and supports focused on mental health and group support
• In-depth knowledge of the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma within an anti-oppression framework
• Demonstrated experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of workshops and groups
• Experience delivering culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, e-mail and the Internet
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health, substance use/addictions, advocacy, refugee and Immigration issues and homelessness
• Life Skills Certificate an asset
• Knowledge of a second language and/or culture would be an asset

Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. These positions are not within the Bargaining Unit. Please indicate on your cover letter if you are a YWCA Toronto Employee. For YWCA Toronto Employees, this position is not secondable

Posting Date: September 16, 2026