Yellow Brick House - Children’s Recreation and Advocacy Worker

Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses; Ontario; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Children’s Recreation and Advocacy Worker to join their team. This role focuses on creating a safe and supportive environment for children in shelters, providing engaging recreational programs, and offering essential support to mothers. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in social work or early childhood education, with a commitment to advocacy and community engagement. Join a dedicated team making a real difference in the lives of families affected by violence and abuse. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a vital mission in a dynamic and rewarding setting.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children in a supportive environment.
• Knowledge of abuse and violence against women and children.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement recreational programs for children in shelters.
• Provide emotional support and resources to mothers.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Time Management

Decision Making

Crisis Management

Education

Social Work Diploma

Early Childhood Education Diploma

BSW or MSW

Tools

Microsoft Office

WISH

MS Teams

Zoom

Job description

Yellow Brick House - Children’s Recreation and Advocacy Worker

Posted on Apr 30, 2025

Yellow Brick House

Children’s Recreation and Advocacy Worker

Contract (Ends Sept 2026)

Salary: $26.07 per hour

ABOUT YELLOW BRICK HOUSE:

Yellow Brick House is a leading provider of life-saving services to women, families and children who have experienced violence and abuse. We offer emergency shelter, individual, group and child counselling, legal support services, and transitional housing support.

PROFILE:

Reporting to the Direct Services Supervisor, the Children’s Recreational and Advocacy Worker provides a recreational program for children who reside at the shelters. This position is centered around providing children with a safe, supportive, and non-violent environment while providing the necessary resources to support mothers and their children who are in the shelter.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The major responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

Direct Service :

• Assist in developing programming incorporating a combination of activities such as creative arts, crafts, stories, games, etc.
• Accompany and introduce children to programs at the local library, park and/or recreational facilities.
• Plan and monitor children on community outings and seasonal events.
• Provide mothers with two hours’ respite on a daily basis.
• Assist in providing mothers with emotional support and information on proven parenting practices and strategies.
• Assist in creating a structured ongoing annual schedule of children’s activities.
• Assist in developing and implementing a 4-week summer day camp for children in the shelter and outreach programs.
• Liaise with community partners and outside resources to provide recreational and camp opportunities for children throughout the year.
• Assess client needs and make appropriate referrals to agencies in York Region and GTA
• Advocate with Authorities, Police, CAS and other agencies for the benefit of service users.
• Liaises and supports Child Witness Program Coordinator as necessary.
• House Maintenance as required.
• Other duties as required.

Documentation:

• Maintains daily confidential, pertinent, accurate and non-judgmental logging on each client as per Yellow Brick House procedures.
• Ensures that intake/discharge and all other required information is complete and entered accurately on WISH.
• Ensuring statistics are entered daily and accurately at the assigned reporting cycle

Maintenance and Administration:

• Ensure that all areas of the playroom and yard are kept clean and organized, maintaining the safety protocol as directed.
• Assists shelter staff as required performing essential services when vacancy exists.
• Assists in shelter upkeep maintaining organizational upkeep.
• Assists supervisor in facilitating learning opportunities for practicum students.

Engagement

• Communicate fully and openly with supervision; keeping supervisor fully informed of relevant client and staff member information, at all times.
• Active positive participation in regular team meetings
• Always maintain a positive approach and a professional manner.
• Keeps up-to date on issues relating to gender-based violence and evidence-based practices for intervention as it pertains to woman and children.
• Maintain community awareness of Yellow Brick House programs throughout York Region
• Acts as a Brand Ambassador for the Yellow Brick House
• Participates in internal/external committees as required.
• Attend training sessions as required.
• Works in a team environment; provides support and information to team members and assists other staff when required.
• Fosters and maintains an anti-oppression working environment.

HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Follow the duties and responsibilities specified under the Occupational Health & Safety Act Sections 28.
• Ensure all safety and non-safety rules and regulations are followed.
• Ensure adherence to established safety, quality, and housekeeping standards.
• Attends Environmental Health and Safety training.
• Adhere to Yellow Brick House health and safety, environmental, and quality standards, policies and procedures.
• Report any known hazard, defect, incident or compliance issue to the employer or supervisor.
• Understand BILL 132 and 168 and uphold the policies that prohibit domestic violence, workplace violence, sexual harassment, and harassment in the Workplace.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

• Client Satisfaction
• Service Quality
• Accurate Documentation
• Meet program targets as defined.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Completion of Social Work Diploma or Early Childhood Education diploma with practicum of 500-700 hours. Completion of BSW, MSW considered an asset
• Mother’s in Mind, Let’s Talk Program Facilitation would be an asset.
• 1-3 years of working with children.
• Knowledge and understanding of abuse/violence against woman and children.
• English language as well as other languages used by client population (i.e., Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Farsi etc.) considered an asset.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database applications. Wish would be considered an asset.
• Familiar and comfortable with technology assisted platforms, specifically video conferencing, MS Teams, Zoom, WISH etc.
• Capable of working in a multidisciplinary environment with a variety of community professionals.
• A current police vulnerable sector screening (VSS) is required.
• Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act and adherence to ethical and professional standards of conduct is required.
• Knowledge of Trauma Informed and Harm reduction therapeutic modalities.
• Must be able to work flexible hours including days, weekends, evenings.
• Valid Driver’s License and confirmation of $1M liability insurance with access to vehicle.
• Must be able to travel between both Markham and Aurora Shelter.
• Working knowledge of application of Anti Oppressive and Feminist frameworks

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Analytical Skills
• Interpersonal
• Communication
• Time Management
• Decision Making
• Building Commitment
• Facilitation
• Crisis Management

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works in a shelter environment either inside or outside in typically pleasant conditions. Typical conditions are such that some risk of injury or harmful effect may be possible.
• May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions including exposure to Covid.
• Interacts with service users, staff, visitors, government agencies, personnel under all circumstances, which may be traumatic situations.
• Must be able to sit/stand for extended period of time.
• Irregular hours
• Some travel is required between shelters and around local areas.
• Intermittent physical activity, including lifting, standing, walking, and supporting service users

Yellow Brick House would like to thank all applicants for their interests; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Yellow Brick House is an equal opportunity employer, and we will accommodate your needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Upon individual request, hiring processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities. Should any applicant require accommodation through the application, interview, or selection processes, please contact the Human Resources Department for assistance.

Please submit your resume to [e-mail]