Youth Worker -Home Base Program

360°kids; Richmond Hill; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

360°kids Home Base Drop-in Centre in Richmond Hill is looking for a Youth Worker to provide client-centred support and life skills mentoring at the Drop-in program. You will register participants, document activities, and promote a safe, empowering environment for youth.

The role involves coordinating resources, building relationships with partners, and guiding youth toward housing options with referrals to Housing Support when needed. A collaborative, compassionate approach is essential.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree/diploma in child/youth field or equivalent experience working with youth.
• Minimum of three years’ experience with at-risk or street-involved youth.
• Minimum one year supervisory or management experience.
• Excellent communication skills and adaptability with diverse clients.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification and Broad Record Check (criminal background check).
• Car and valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Provide resources, counselling, referrals and advocacy services to youth.
• Liaise with participants, parents, schools, donors, coworkers and volunteers.
• Maintain positive relationships with community partners, York Regional Police, CAS, neighbors, and property management.
• Develop positive relations with communities served by the program and the public.
• Provide safe space and basic needs (food, clothing, hygiene).
• Respond to immediate needs, follow up on case plans and referrals or warm transfers.
• Be a positive mentor and adult role model.
• Assist youth with housing needs and refer higher-need cases to Housing Support Worker.
• Provide access to meals, showers, clothing, and other amenities at the Drop-in Centre.
• Liaise with partners to deliver services and life skills sessions.
• Other duties as required.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Motivation

Interpersonal skills

Adaptability

Relationship building

Advocacy

Team mentoring

Education

Post-secondary degree/diploma in child/youth field

Job description

360°kids Home Base Drop-in Centre, located in the Richmond Hill Community Hub, supports youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, by providing them with food, clothing, counselling, recreation, employment support, education, life skills, and connecting them with services to meet their needs. The Youth Worker at Home Base will provide client centered, hands on support for all youth attending the 360°kids Drop-In program; deliver ongoing life skills support and mentoring; including registration and daily documentation while promoting an empowering, positive and safe environment.

Schedule: Mon-Fri Rotation between 8am-4pm, and 3pm-11pm

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide youth with resources, recreation, counselling, referrals and advocacy services within their community. Teach life skills individually and in groups.
• Liaise with participants, parents, community partners, schools, donors, coworkers and volunteers.
• Maintain positive relationships and interact with various segments of the community including York Regional Police, CAS, neighbors and property management personnel
• Develop positive relations with the communities being served by the program and with the general public.
• Provide youth with a safe place off the street, and provide basic needs (food, clothing and hygiene).
• Respond to immediate needs, provide support, and resolve conflicts. Follow up with youth regarding their case plan, goals, activities, and make referrals (internal and external referrals) or facilitate warm transfers as required.
• Be a positive mentor and adult role model.
• Work with youth to assess their housing needs and help them look for housing. (Youth with higher needs will be referred to as the Housing Support Worker.)
• Provide access to meals, snacks, food, pantry, shower, toiletries; laundry; clothes; computers; telephones and other amenities offered at the Drop-in Centre.
• Liaise with community partners to deliver services, information sessions, and life skills groups to meet the needs of youth.
• Other duties as required.

Education/Experience/Licenses/Certification Required /skills

• Post-Secondary degree/diploma Child/youth related field (e.g. Child and Youth, Social Service Worker, Social Worker, Psychology, Sociology) or the equivalent combination of education and experience working with youth.
• Minimum of three years’ experience working with “at-risk” or street involved youth.
• Minimum one year supervisory or management experience
• Leadership skills, including motivation, delegation, coaching/mentoring and empowerment and the ability to motivate staff.
• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of working with youth, including understanding of the regulatory environment (e.g. CFSA).
• Demonstrated client focused counselling skills and role modelling.
• Must possess excellent communication skills and have the ability to be adaptable with a flexible approach taking into consideration the unique qualities of each client.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills that promote positive team building, negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Will possess a broad knowledge of community resources and the ability to strongly advocate for clients and professional referrals.
• Relationship building and management skills, to support relationships with peers, staff, partners and ministry officials and other stakeholders.
• Speaking and writing French is an asset.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification, current Broad Record Check (criminal background check), car and valid driver’s license