YWCA Toronto·Toronto, Ontario
Provide crisis counselling, case management, and workshop implementation for women and gender diverse people within a feminist framework. Ensure the overall health and safety of the shelter while developing individualized housing and tenancy support plans.
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The Awake Overnight Shelter Support Worker works 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. They act 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. The position shares in the responsibility of the overall health and safety of the building and will work in an open shelter/work environment without a dedicated office space.
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; Completes risk assessments and safety plans; Models and coaches residents to use conflict resolution and mediation skills to support positive relations between residents; Provides supportive counselling to clients regarding their housing options; assesses clients’ housing needs through group sessions or in one to one interviews; Identifies tenancy support required and, in collaboration with the client, develops an individualized housing and tenancy support plan; Engages with the staff team in reflective practice, to ensure the development and implementation of quality programs and services; Contributes knowledge and expertise to team members to develop meaningful and relevant services for clients.
In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW); (Cases for Equivalency will be considered); An analytical framework that identifies clients' relation to social systems and the demonstrated practical application of this framework; 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 abuses 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.
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 not within the Bargaining Unit. Please indicate on your cover letter if you are an internal candidate. For internal applicants this position is not second able.
Requires a bachelor's degree (e.g., BSW) or equivalent and 3-5 years of experience in counselling for at-risk or homeless populations. Must have knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and hold a Toronto Hostel’s Training Certificate.
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.