Shelter Support Worker

YWCA Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community service organization in Toronto is seeking a Shelter Support Worker to provide crucial services for young women and gender diverse individuals. The role involves crisis counselling, case management, and facilitating workshops, all within a supportive, trauma-informed environment. Candidates should have an undergraduate degree in Social Work, relevant experience in counselling, and skills for working with diverse populations. A collaborative approach and commitment to anti-oppression principles are essential. This full-time position offers comprehensive benefits and a supportive workplace.

Benefits

Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage

Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit

Multi-Sector Pension Plan

20 Vacation Days

Child Care Benefits

Qualifications

• 3-5 years’ experience in counselling and group work focused on at-risk and homeless women.
• Completion of workshops on mental illness, trauma, and harm reduction.
• Knowledge of harm reduction principles and community resources.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily support services to residents.
• Develop and implement effective support strategies.
• Maintain safety and complete risk assessments.

Skills

Crisis counselling

Case management

Trauma-informed care

Interpersonal skills

Culturally sensitive services

Education

Undergraduate degree in Social Work

Toronto Hostel’s Training Certificate (T.H.T.C.)

Job description

Job Details

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Work Hours: 35 hours per week, Friday to Tuesday 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm (on‑call responsibilities; may be required to work occasional overnights)

Salary: $59,399 (L7) per annum, plus comprehensive benefits

Location: 348 Davenport Road, Toronto, ON, M5R 1K6

Internal Application Deadline: Monday, December 29, 2025

External Application Deadline: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Overview

YWCA Toronto strives to uphold anti‑discrimination practices and anti‑oppression principles to ensure that the rights of all individuals are respected and protected. We work to promote a climate that is welcoming of all women and individuals who identify as Trans, intersex, non‑binary, agender, and/or Two‑Spirit. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people from all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.

The Shelter Support Worker works within a collaborative team to provide meaningful and relevant services within a theoretical feminist framework that includes a working knowledge of the dynamics and effects of trauma and oppression. They act as a resource to staff and clients and are responsible for providing a full range of services which includes crisis counselling, case management and the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops. The position shares in the responsibility of the overall health and safety of the building and will work in an open shelter/work environment without a dedicated office space.

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 women and gender diverse people abuse and homelessness to develop and implement effective support strategies
• Provides daily support services to residents (e.g., tokens, providing personal hygiene items and toiletries, first aid, long‑distance calls and assists with completion of forms and statements)
• Exercises precautions to ensure the safety of residents and completes risk assessments and safety plans
• Uses mediation and counselling skills to maintain a co‑operative, supportive and productive shelter environment
• Provides information and referrals and advocates for clients facing issues of homelessness and trauma
• Negotiates supportive and flexible strategies to assist residents with mental health issues to access the support within the shelter and in the community
• Negotiates treatment plans with residents that focus on harm reduction
• Assists clients in applying for priority, RGI, rent supplement, supportive housing, group homes and any other relevant housing programs and advocates on their behalf
• Develops, implements and evaluates workshops and groups that address clients’ mental health issues and experience of trauma using interactive techniques (i.e. expressive art techniques) and collaborates with other YWCA programs
• Maintains, records, compiles program statistics and prepares reports and correspondence

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 practical application of this framework
• Completion of workshops and courses pertaining to mental illness, trauma, harm reduction, crisis de‑escalation and anti‑oppressive practice
• 3‑5 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 women 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
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health, substance use/addictions, advocacy, refugee and immigration issues and homelessness
• Life Skills Certificate an asset
• A certificate in trauma counselling would be an asset
• Knowledge of a second language and/or culture would be an asset

What We Offer

• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage
• Life Insurance and Long‑Term Disability Benefit
• Multi‑Sector Pension Plan: Employer’s contribution of 5.75% and Employee Contribution of 3.25%
• Time off: Starts with 20 Vacation Days, 1.5 Days Per Month Sick Leave, 12 Paid Holidays, Health Promotional Days and 4 Float Days
• Other Benefits: Child Care Benefits, Maternity/Parental Leave Supplementary Employment Benefits, Educational/Sabbatical Leave, and Financial Assistance for Professional Development

Additional Information

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. This position is within the Bargaining Unit. Please indicate on your cover letter if you are a YWCA Toronto Employee. For YWCA Toronto Employees, this position is secondable.

Posting Date: December 18, 2025

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.

EEO Statement

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.

Accommodation

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.

Workplace Sensitivity

YWCA Toronto is a Scent‑Sensitive Workplace.