Youth Worker - Housing

YMCA of Greater Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The YMCA of Greater Toronto invites applications for a full-time, salaried role at mYplace to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. You will provide referrals, crisis intervention, and program facilitation on site, collaborating with partners to deliver inclusive services.

Required are post-secondary education in social work or related fields, 2 years working with marginalized youth, and strong documentation skills. Valid First Aid/CPR and a current Police Check are required.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Social Work or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2 years’ experience working with marginalized youth.
• Experience with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth preferred.
• Experience integrating anti-racism and trauma-informed practice.
• Valid First Aid/CPR certification and Police Records Check (within 6 months).

Responsibilities

• Provide support and referrals to participants regarding employment, housing, and needs.
• Collaborate with community partners to serve 2SLGBTQIA+ youth on site.
• Design and run workshops and group activities with participant input.
• Screen and greet new participants; conduct orientation.
• Offer crisis intervention, counseling, and practical assistance with team support.
• Supervise mYplace routines and support the participant community.
• Respond to emergencies per procedures and ensure safety of staff and participants.
• Complete case notes and maintain participant files for audits.
• Document according to standards and complete incident reports when required.
• Enter data in SMIS and finish administrative tasks as assigned.
• Follow mYplace and YMCA policies; participate in supervision and trainings.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Counselling

Documentation

Advocacy

Community resources

Microsoft Office

Communication

Organizational skills

Flexible shifts

First aid / CPR

Education

Post-secondary education in Social Work or related field

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Salary Rate: $51,040 – Check out the YMCA’s total compensation package!

Location: mYplace – 7 Vanauley

Work Hours: 37.5 hours per week ( Sunday to Thursday 11:30pm-7:30am)

Employment Type: Full Time Salaried Contract - 5 months

Number of Vacancies: 1

Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2026

Deadline to Apply: August 27, 2026 at 5 pm

In this role, you will:

• Provide support and referral options to participants regarding employment, housing, and other needs, collaborating with community partners to offer a variety of services to 2SLGBTQIA+ young people on site.
• Identify, suggest, and implement creative and innovative improvements to services, policies, and programming that is intersectional and uses a queer lens.
• Participate in the design and implementation of workshops and group activities for participants with participant input and feedback.
• Provide initial screening and intake of potential participants , including orientation and greeting of new participants .
• Provide positive interactions, crisis intervention, rapport, and relationship building with participants, offering supportive counselling and practical assistance in consultation with other team members.
• Provide supervision of mYplace routines and support to individual and the participant community at the site.
• Respond to emergency and crisis situations following appropriate procedures, ensuring the safety and security of all staff and participants, and supporting other staff in crisis situations.
• Complete case note documentation and maintain participant case files, ensuring quality audit measures are achieved in accordance with YMCA and funder standards.
• Document according to current professional standards, maintaining appropriate documentation in case files and logs, and completing incident reports when required.
• Complete documentation regarding participant tracking and log-in systems and other items required by the YMCA regarding program outcomes.
• Complete data entry in the Shelter Management Information System (SMIS) and ensure all administrative tasks are completed as assigned.
• Adhere to all mYplace protocols and practices as well as Association and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Participate in supervision, staff meetings, and professional development trainings as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

You bring:

• Post-secondary education in Social Work, Child and Youth Work, Child and Youth Care or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2 years’ experience working with marginalized youth.
• Direct service experience with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth an asset.
• Experience analyzing personal and systemic issues leading youth to become homeless.
• Experience and knowledge in integrating anti-racism, anti-oppression, critical disability, 2SLGBTQIA + and trans-positivity, trauma, harm reduction, and strengths-based principles into practice.
• Valid training certificate in defusing hostility and/or crisis prevention required.
• Valid Standard First Aid and CPR Level C certification OR Intermediate First Aid and CPR level C certification issued by a WSIB approved provider prior to the first day of work and knowledge of safety and security procedures related to shelter operations.
• Knowledge of transitional, shelter, and other housing systems in Toronto, with the ability to assist youth transitioning into adulthood through developmentally appropriate support.
• Possesses relevant knowledge of community resources and referral agencies.
• Advocacy skills to effectively collaborate with other systems, resulting in increased access for residents.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.
• Ability to work flexible shifts: weekends, statutory holidays, on call shifts
• Criminal Reference Check within the last 6 months .
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging.

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here.

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together, which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here.

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.