Relief Shelter Support Worker ( 5 positions) - DAV1382

Ywca; Toronto; On-site; CAD 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

YWCA Davenport, part of YWCA Toronto, seeks a Relief Shelter Support Worker to assist the permanent team in providing trauma-informed crisis support for residents at the Davenport shelter. You will participate in intakes, support daily operations, and help ensure on-site safety for women and gender-diverse residents.

The role requires an undergraduate degree (e.g., BSW) or equivalent, strong communication, and knowledge of trauma, harm reduction, and anti-oppressive practice.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of an supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW)
• 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 Hostel’s 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

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

Skills

Communication skills

Trauma-informed practice

MS Office

Second language knowledge

Analytical framework

Life Skills Certificate

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Job description

Relief Shelter Support Worker ( 5 positions) - DAV1382

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

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.

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 Hostel’s 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

Posting Date: September 16, 2026

YWCA Toronto transforms lives. As the city’s largest multi-service women’s organization, we help women and gender diverse people escape violence, move out of poverty and access safe, affordable housing.

We work tenaciously to break down barriers that hold women and gender diverse people back from achieving equality.

Vaccination Policy: In accordance with YWCA Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all YWCA Toronto employees, students and volunteers are strongly encouraged to obtain all COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as recommended by Toronto Public Health

Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate before hiring.

YWCA Toronto promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women and gender-diverse people of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.

YWCA Toronto provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

YWCA Toronto may use AI-supported tools to assist with parts of the recruitment process; all hiring decisions are made by people and guided by our commitment to equity and fairness.

YWCA Toronto is a Scent-Sensitive Workplace.