YWCA Toronto·Toronto, Ontario
The Shelter Support Worker provides crisis counselling, case management, and daily support services to residents within a feminist, trauma-informed framework. They are also responsible for developing workshops, maintaining building safety, and advocating for clients navigating homelessness and mental health challenges.
JOIN OUR TEAM Join YWCA Toronto, where intersectional feminism, community voices, and social justice drive lasting change. We welcome women and gender diverse people of all identities into a workplace rooted in equity, collaboration, and inclusion
As a Shelter Support Worker at 348 Davenport, this position will work within a collaborative team to provide meaningful and relevant services within a theoretical feminist framework that includes a working knowledge of the dynamics and effects of trauma and oppression. She acts as a resource to staff and clients and is responsible for providing a full range of services which includes crisis counselling, case management and the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops. This position shares in the responsibility of the overall health and safety of the building.
ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – YWCA DAVENPORT YWCA Davenport provides up to 80 emergency shelter beds to young women and gender diverse people (16 – 24 years of age) and adult women and gender diverse people (25 and older) and is staffed 24 hours a day. This pet friendly shelter is funded by the City of Toronto and adheres to Toronto Shelter Standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILTIES Applies knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of woman and gender diverse people abuse and homelessness to develop and implement effective support strategies Provides daily support services to residents (e.g. tokens, providing personal hygiene items and toiletries, first aid, long-distance calls and assists with completion of forms and statements); Exercises precautions to ensure the safety of residents and completes risk assessments and safety plans; Uses mediation and counselling skills to maintain a co-operative, supportive and productive shelter environment; Provides information and referrals and advocates for clients facing issues of homelessness and trauma; Negotiates supportive and flexible strategies to assist residents with mental health issues to access the support within the shelter and in the community; Negotiates treatment plans with residents that focus on harm reduction; Assists clients in applying for priority, RGI, rent supplement, supportive housing, group homes and any other relevant housing programs and advocates on their behalf; Develops, implements and evaluates workshops and groups that address clients’ mental health issues and experience of trauma using interactive techniques (i.e. expressive art techniques) and collaborates with other YWCA programs; Maintains, records, compiles program statistics and prepares reports and correspondence.
In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW); An analytical framework that identifies clients' relation to social systems and the demonstrated practical application of this framework; (Cases for Equivalency will be considered); Completion of workshops and courses pertaining to mental illness, trauma, harm reduction, crisis de-escalation and anti-oppressive practice; 3-5 years’ experience in counselling and group work focused on clients at risk and/or homeless women; Completion of Toronto Hostel’s Training Certificate (T.H.T.C.) or equivalent; Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction principles and practice; Demonstrated knowledge of community resources and supports focused on mental health and group support; In-depth knowledge of the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma within an anti-oppression framework; Demonstrated experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of workshops and groups; Experience delivering culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment; Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; Knowledge and understanding of mental health, substance use/addictions, advocacy, refugee and immigration issues and homelessness; Life Skills Certificate an asset; A certificate in trauma counselling would be an asset; Knowledge of a second language and/or culture would be an asset.
Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit Multi-Sector Pension Plan: Employer’s contribution of 5.75% and Employee Contribution of 3.25% Time off: Starts with 20 Vacation Days, 1.5 Days Per Month Sick Leave, 12 Paid Holidays, Health Promotional Days and 4 Float Days Other Benefits: Child Care Benefits, Maternity/Parental Leave Supplementary Employment Benefits, Educational/Sabbatical Leave, and Financial Assistance for Professional Development
A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. This position is within the Bargaining Unit. Please indicate on your cover letter if you are an internal Candidate. For internal applicants, this position is not secondable
Candidates must possess an undergraduate degree (e.g., BSW) and 3-5 years of experience in counselling or group work with at-risk populations. Additionally, completion of the Toronto Hostel’s Training Certificate and demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction and anti-oppressive practices are required.
Market context
In Ontario, behavioral-health roles are typically driven by ongoing need in community, outpatient, and support settings serving people with mental health or substance use challenges. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for experience with diverse populations plus a high school diploma or GED, with a bachelor’s in social work or a related field preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to show relevant client-facing experience and readiness to work with varied needs.
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