Warming Centre Peer Worker

Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre; Toronto; Presencial; CAD 35.000 - 42.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre (CONC) invites applications for Peer Workers to support the city’s warming centre operations during extreme weather events. You will bring lived experience to provide safety, harm reduction, and compassionate advocacy for service users as part of the Breaking Barriers program.

The role runs November 1, 2026 to April 15, 2027 (tentative). Responsibilities include building trusting relationships, coordinating with shelter staff and partners, and connecting

Formación

• Lived/living experience with substance use, homelessness, poverty, or related issues.
• Knowledge of harm reduction practices and local resources.
• Strong communication skills and ability to engage in difficult conversations respectfully.
• Reliability, teamwork, and ability to manage crises calmly.
• Commitment to trauma-informed and anti-oppressive practices.
• Second language ability is an asset.

Responsabilidades

• Build supportive, non-judgmental relationships with service users.
• Collaborate with shelter intake staff, Breaking Barriers team, and partners.
• Provide referrals and advocacy to access health and social services.
• Share harm reduction resources, including naloxone training and safe-use information.
• Record distribution of supplies and referrals, contribute to knowledge-sharing.
• Support centre operations, including setup/teardown, cleaning, and sharps collection.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and professional development.

Conocimientos

Lived experience

Harm reduction

Communication

Reliability & teamwork

Trauma-informed practice

Second language

Descripción del empleo

Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre (CONC) is a multi-service community organization supporting individuals and families through shelter, housing, food security, and community-based programs across Toronto. Our work is rooted in dignity, respect, and a commitment to meeting people where they are. We strive to create a workplace where staff feel supported, valued, and able to contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Position Overview

Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre (CONC) is seeking Peer Workers to join our Warming Centre team. Peer Workers are individuals with lived and/or living experience of substance use, addiction, homelessness, or related health and social conditions who bring this expertise to support others in a compassionate, respectful, and empowering way.

As part of the Breaking Barriers – Substance Use and Addiction Peer Support Program, Peer Workers provide safety, support, harm reduction, and advocacy for service users during extreme weather and City-activated warming centre operations.
Duration: November 01, 2026 until April 15, 2027 (Tentative)
The Warming Centre operates on days that are -5°C or when the City directs them to be open.

Key Responsibilities

• Build supportive, non-judgmental relationships with service users
• Collaborate with shelter intake staff, Breaking Barriers team, and other community partners
• Provide referrals and advocacy to help service users access health and social services
• Share harm reduction resources, including naloxone training and safe-use information
• Record distribution of supplies and referrals, and contribute to team knowledge-sharing
• Support centre operations, including set-up/tear-down, cleaning, and sharps collection
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and professional development

Qualifications and Experience

• Lived/living experience with substance use, homelessness, poverty, sex work, or mental health issues
• Knowledge of harm reduction practices and Toronto’s community resources
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage in difficult conversations respectfully
• Reliability, teamwork, and ability to manage crises calmly
• Commitment to trauma-informed and anti-oppressive practices
• Second language ability is an asset

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for this role. It may be reviewed and updated as needed to reflect organizational priorities.

Additional Information

This posting is intended to fill a current vacancy.

CONC may use technology to support elements of the recruitment process.

We value a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience, including Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, Trans, racialized, and disabled persons.

Equity and Accommodation

CONC is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, including those from equity-deserving groups.

Accommodation is available upon request throughout the recruitment process.

Available Shifts

• Sunday - Thursday 8 am - 4 pm
• Tuesday - Saturday 4 pm - 12 am
• Sunday - Thursday 12 am - 8 am

The Warming Centre operates on days that are -5°C or when the City directs them to be open.