Street Reach Outreach Worker

The Link: Youth and Family Supports; Winnipeg; Hybrid; CAD 28,867 - 41,114; Full time

Job summary

The Link: Youth and Family Supports in Winnipeg, Manitoba is seeking a Street Reach Outreach Worker to support high-risk youth. This role involves mobile outreach, relationship building, and advocacy across multiple systems. Candidates should have a degree in social services or a related field, along with three to four years of experience. The position offers a competitive salary of $25.40 per hour for a full-time role, working 40 hours per week across flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of child sexual exploitation and high-risk youth dynamics.
• Minimum of three to four years of experience in direct service, including outreach.
• Individuals with lived experience are considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Conduct proactive, mobile outreach in communities, including streets and shelters.
• Collaborate with Child and Family Services, Police, and community partners in search efforts.
• Advocate for youth needs across systems (housing, health, justice, education).

Skills

Building trust and relationships with vulnerable youth

Navigating complex systems and advocating effectively

Understanding of child sexual exploitation dynamics

Trauma-informed approaches

Clear communication

Education

Degree or Diploma in social services

Diploma/Certificate in Child & Youth Care

Equivalent combinations of education and experience

Job description

About The Link: Youth and Family Supports

For more than 90 years, The Link has helped youth and families on a journey to healing, hope, and better lives. The organization is dedicated to walking alongside children, youth, and families as an inclusive community, strengthening and empowering a sense of being, pride, and purpose. With over 15 diverse programs, The Link has a community of caring staff that work together to provide support through a 24‑hour crisis line, youth resource centers, emergency shelters, mobile crisis teams, specialized foster care, healing homes, job readiness supports, and Skills4Life. With a strong foundation within the community and a focus on connection, unity, and compassion, the organization provides a vital link for youth and families in the province of Manitoba.

About The Opportunity

The Link is hiring! Come grow with us, walk alongside people in our community as we grow strong and resilient together. We are seeking candidates with strong character that share our vision for a brighter future; people of action who can support the resilience and potential in people. We honor and strive to model through our actions the traditional Seven Teachings of the Anishinaabe: Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility & Truth.

Position Summary

The Street Reach Outreach Worker is responsible for locating, engaging, and supporting high‑risk children and youth who are absent, at risk of sexual exploitation, or experiencing significant vulnerability.

Working from a trauma‑informed, culturally grounded, and relationship‑based approach, the Outreach Worker provides mobile, community‑based outreach, safety planning, and system navigation supports. The Outreach Worker works collaboratively with Child and Family Services, police, community partners, and families to ensure coordinated responses that support youth wellbeing and stability. The Street Reach – Outreach Worker is responsible for a combination of direct street outreach, investigation and tracking of high‑risk and at‑risk youth. They must maintain good working relationships with partnering agencies, family members and caregivers.

Duties and Responsibilities

Outreach, Engagement & Relationship Building

• Conduct proactive, mobile outreach in communities, including streets, shelters, schools, and other locations youths frequent
• Build trusting, consistent relationships with high‑risk youth, families, and caregivers
• Maintain ongoing contact with youth in placement and those identified through Street Reach
• Provide culturally safe, non‑judgmental, and youth‑centered support

Missing Youth Response & Safety

• Respond to requests to locate and return youth identified as High‑Risk Victims (HRV)
• Collaborate with Child and Family Services, Police, and community partners in search efforts
• Conduct safety planning and immediate risk assessments
• Support safe return to placement, family, or community

Advocacy, System Navigation & Support

• Advocate for youth needs across systems (housing, health, justice, education, income supports)
• Communicate youth priorities to inform Case Managers who will complete referrals for appropriate services and cultural supports.
• Conduct outreach services in alignment with the youth’s Case Plan.
• Support youth in accessing basic needs and stabilizing supports
• Educate youth, families, and partners on risks, resources, and prevention strategies

Collaboration & Community Partnerships

• Participate in coordinated Street Reach operations and case planning
• Build and maintain relationships with service providers, outreach teams, and community organizations
• Share information appropriately to support coordinated care and reduce duplication

Risk Identification & Community Safety

• Identify and report individuals, locations, and activities related to child sexual exploitation as per the required legislative responsibilities.
• Maintain awareness of high‑risk environments and emerging community risks
• Contribute to prevention efforts through information sharing and outreach presence

Documentation & Accountability

• Maintain accurate, timely documentation, case notes, and statistics
• Complete required reports aligned with program, legal, and funding requirements
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, and performance evaluation processes

General Organizational Responsibilities

• Participates in regular coaching and supervision with their supervisor.
• Operate within the procedures and philosophy of the Street Reach Community Coalition.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in social services, Diploma/Certificate in Child & Youth Care, or other relevant discipline
• Minimum of three to four years of experience in direct service, including outreach
• Individuals with lived experience are considered an asset
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered
• Strong understanding of:
  • Child sexual exploitation and high‑risk youth dynamics
  • Trauma‑informed and harm reduction approaches
  • Child and Family Services systems and legislation
  • Criminal Code provisions related to child protection
• Ability to:
  • Build trust and relationships with vulnerable youth
  • Work independently and within a team in high‑pressure environments
  • Navigate complex systems and advocate effectively
  • Communicate clearly and maintain detailed documentation
• Demonstrated commitment to culturally grounded, anti‑colonial, and identity‑centered practice
• Understanding of the impacts of intergenerational trauma
• Experience working with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth and communities

Working Conditions

• Community‑based, mobile work across diverse environments
• Exposure to high‑risk and crisis situations
• Combination of fieldwork and administrative responsibilities
• Frequent interaction with multiple systems and partners

Conditions of Employment

• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check (Vulnerable Sector), Child Abuse Registry, and Prior Contact checks – a clear background check is not a required condition for employment, and further safety screening would occur to assess for suitability.
• First Aid/CPR and de‑calation training certification
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and nights
• Ability to perform physically and emotionally challenging work in community settings

Preference

Preference will be giving to Indigenous candidates, whose perspective and experience inform fundamental competencies.

Salary and Hours

Salary range: $25.40 per hour, dependent upon qualifications. Hours of work: 40 hours per week – days, evenings, and possible weekends.

Accommodations and EEO Statement

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities upon request. If you are contacted by The Link regarding a job opportunity, please know that you are welcome to request accommodation at any point in the process. All information received regarding accommodations will be kept confidential.

The Link is an equal opportunity employer. Indigenous people, women, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The Link is committed to developing and retaining a diverse workforce.

The Link is honored to be located on the land of the Ininew, Anishinaabe, Dene, Oji‑Cree and Dakota land and in the homeland of the Métis Nation. We commit to respecting the treaties upon which our existence here was made possible.

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.

Terms and conditions for the consideration of employees may be referenced as needed, but this posting is open until filled.