Community Engagement Worker

Date Ad Posted: June 8, 2020

Position Type: Full Time

Job Region: Toronto

Location(s): 323 Dundas East

Margaret’s Community and Housing Support Services is seeking a qualified applicant for the position of Community Engagement worker. The successful candidate will be working with the Homeless, respite and drop-in clients at 323 Dundas St East location. This person is responsible to connect and develop a respectful relationship with the individuals, analyzing their basic needs, and able to support individual by providing or introducing them to the Margaret’s programs or services.

Responsibilities:

• Engage with the existing and new clients by providing immediate needs assessment and services that fulfills their need.
• Provide information on the directions, TTC tokens, and ensure that the individuals can easily access necessary program.
• Responsible to respond to Community concerns from neighbours, businesses, the police and other stakeholders as needed.
• Work proactively and inclusively with all stakeholders to support productive community relations between residents and the respite centre.
• Facilitate positive interaction between the police and those at risk that builds trust and communication.
• Create incident and safety reports; present it to the higher management.
• Identify overdose risk and administer naloxone and provide first aid as required.
• Compile and maintain relevant referral sources and pertinent programs that benefit individual participants
• Provide crisis counseling and one-on-one support/brief intervention
• Maintain records and collect statistical data in timely manner, for the purpose of producing reports for monthly and annually purpose.
• Other duties as assigned by senior management.

Qualifications:

• College University Degree or Diploma in Social Services.
• Minimum 2 years of work experience in social services, community engagement and community consultation.
• Flexibility to work various shifts and must be able to walk 10 + KM per shift
• Ability to connect and build trustful and respectful relationships with individuals.
• Strong knowledge of community work for example, social development, social planning, social justice and advocacy.
• Ability to work effectively as part of team and on own initiative.
• Good communication skills (Written and Verbal).
• Strong interpersonal and computer skills including Microsoft office and outlook.

Margaret Community and Housing Support Services is committed to Employment Equity. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please no phone calls.

Email: Cover letter and resume to:

Zaineb Sohail: zaineb@margarets.ca

Respite Worker (Drop- In)

Date Ad Posted: June 8, 2020

Position Type: Full Time

Job Region: Toronto

Location(s): 323 Dundas East

Reporting to the Program Director, the Housing Support Worker role is to assist individuals in securing and sustaining housing through the development of housing readiness and provision of case management for homeless individuals. The worker must collaborate in a warm and collegial fashion with team members including other employees, volunteers and residents.

Responsibilities:

• Promote a comfortable and safe environment where street-involved individuals feel engaged and involved in healthy activities;
• Report any safety issues or serious incidents that arise in the Respite Centre to Management Staff;
• Provide first aid as required;
• Identify overdose risk and administer naloxone as required;
• Build trusting and respectful relationships with individuals who access services;
• Ensure that all individuals who access the Respite Centre are aware of Centre Expectations and client’s rights and responsibilities;
• When centre is full or the client is on a restricted list, provide a referral to alternative shelter or respite site and assist in transportation;
• Ensure client’s immediate needs are identified and addressed, Ensure follow-up and document outcome;
• Link participants with housing, health and social services/supports (internal and external referrals);
• Provide crisis counseling and one-on-one support/brief intervention;
• Provide advocacy where required;
• Compile and maintain relevant referral sources and pertinent programs that benefit individual participants;
• Gather and present program statistics and other pertinent information in daily, monthly and annual reports;
• Ensure SMIS reports are updated nightly;
• Make sure that the Respite facility and program equipment are clean and orderly throughout the shift;
• Maintain appropriate documentation as required; and
• Other duties as assigned by senior management.

The Successful Candidate will:

• Working towards a degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in a related field.
• Ability to work overnight or late night shifts.
• You have demonstrated knowledge in working with homeless and diverse populations.
• Ability to work with and meet strict timelines; ability to think under stressful situations.
• Ability to deal with highly sensitive and personal information and maintain the appropriate safeguards for the confidentiality of Agency information and client records.
• Possess good written and oral communication skills.
• Other languages are considered an asset.

Margaret Community and Housing Support Services are committed to Employment Equity. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please no phone calls.

Email: Cover letter and resume to:

Zaineb Sohail: zaineb@margarets.ca

Community Engagement Worker

Date Ad Posted: June 8, 2020

Position Type: Full Time

Job Region: Toronto

Location(s): 323 Dundas East

Margaret’s Community and Housing Support Services is seeking a qualified applicant for the position of Community Engagement worker. The successful candidate will be working with the Homeless, respite and drop-in clients at 323 Dundas St East location. This person is responsible to connect and develop a respectful relationship with the individuals, analyzing their basic needs, and able to support individual by providing or introducing them to the Margaret’s programs or services.

Responsibilities:

• Engage with the existing and new clients by providing immediate needs assessment and services that fulfills their need.
• Provide information on the directions, TTC tokens, and ensure that the individuals can easily access necessary program.
• Responsible to respond to Community concerns from neighbours, businesses, the police and other stakeholders as needed.
• Work proactively and inclusively with all stakeholders to support productive community relations between residents and the respite centre.
• Facilitate positive interaction between the police and those at risk that builds trust and communication.
• Create incident and safety reports; present it to the higher management.
• Identify overdose risk and administer naloxone and provide first aid as required.
• Compile and maintain relevant referral sources and pertinent programs that benefit individual participants
• Provide crisis counseling and one-on-one support/brief intervention
• Maintain records and collect statistical data in timely manner, for the purpose of producing reports for monthly and annually purpose.
• · Other duties as assigned by senior management.

Qualifications:

• College University Degree or Diploma in Social Services.
• Minimum 2 years of work experience in social services, community engagement and community consultation.
• Flexibility to work various shifts and must be able to walk 10 + KM per shift
• Ability to connect and build trustful and respectful relationships with individuals.
• Strong knowledge of community work for example, social development, social planning, social justice and advocacy.
• Ability to work effectively as part of team and on own initiative.
• Good communication skills (Written and Verbal).
• Strong interpersonal and computer skills including Microsoft office and outlook.

Margaret Community and Housing Support Services are committed to Employment Equity. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please no phone calls.

Email: Cover letter and resume to:

Zaineb Sohail: zaineb@margarets.ca

Social Animator

Position Type: 8 Week Summer Student Program

Job Region: Toronto

Number of Positions: 1

The Recreation/Enhanced Life Skills Facilitator (Social Animator) will work in concert with the team leader and staff, providing assistance and support for women living in Margaret’s transitional and supportive independent housing. She will participate in developing and organizing the two inter-related programs that, combined, encourage clients to become/ remain active, participating in activities, and expanding their community involvement.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist staff in engaging and motivating clients to participate in a variety of activities in which the clients themselves have expressed an interest. (e.g., outings to the cinema, theatre, museum and galleries, excursions, community center activities, and in-house activities, e.g., garden parties, journaling, yoga
• As part of a team, participate in brainstorming and developing new social/recreational ideas and activities, working
• Develop and distribute a monthly calendar of events
• Take an active role in maintaining the health, safety, and confidentiality of all individuals working at Margaret’s, and be familiar with all health, safety and security policies and procedures
• Working with the team leader and staff, assess clients’ interests and capabilities as they pertain to social and recreational activities
• Participate in brainstorming and developing new social/recreational ideas and activities
• Design social and recreational options and programs which reflect the assessed needs and interests of clients
• Assist staff in engaging and motivating clients to participate in a variety of activities in which the clients themselves have expressed an interest. (e.g., outings to the cinema, theatre, museum and galleries, excursions, community center activities, and in-house activities, e.g., garden parties, journaling, yoga)
• Complete assessments, establish goals and milestones for each client – work with individual clients as well as with small groups who share compatible interests, helping build social relationships
• Adjust programs to incorporate changing needs/interests and capabilities of the client – Help to determine and ameliorate barriers to participation
• Develop and distribute a weekly and monthly calendar of events
• Document and evaluate activity plans and outcomes

Eligibility Criteria:

In order to apply for this position, candidates must meet ALL of the following:

• Be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment
• Must be currently enrolled in a post-secondary education program
• Be legally entitled to work in the Province of Ontario
• The Successful Candidate will:
• Working towards a degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in a related field
• Ability to maintain a high level of energy and enthusiasm
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Group leadership skills, including an understanding of group dynamics
• Strong desire and ability to work collaboratively to fulfill project demands
• Ability to work independently as needed
• The ability to speak a second language is considered an asset

Margaret Community and Housing Support Services are committed to Employment Equity. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please no phone calls.

Email: Cover letter and resume to:

Zaineb Sohail: zaineb@margarets.ca

Social and Community Service Workers

Position Type: 8 Week Summer Student Program

Job Region: Toronto

Number of Positions: 2

The Margaret’s Housing and Community Support Services is looking for someone who will promote a safe, supportive, and sets a high standard for the participants and staff. The Social and Community Services Worker is responsible to endorse a welcoming space where community members will feel safe and comfortable to spend time and be encouraged to participate in our daily program activities. The successful candidate will be a strong networker who will be able to connect with external organizations and improve the area of community needs and or concerns.

Job Responsibilities:

• In concert with the team leader and staff, assess each client’s needs, interests, capabilities, and aspirations
• Based on these assessments, engage with each client to develop an individualized program, addressing life skills and social inclusion outcomes, setting attainable goals and milestones
• Help develop basic life skills, which empower clients to care for their immediate needs, and prepare them for the next steps in recovery and independent living over the long-term, (e.g., household chores, meal planning, grocery shopping, hygiene, laundry, socialization skills)
• Help develop enhanced confidence-building life skills (emotional intelligence, communication, and interpersonal skills, positive assertiveness, resilience, etc.) that expand opportunities for clients to more fully participate in the community
• Identify and address barriers to client participation (e.g., cultural, physical, psychological concerns), and work with staff and clients to develop strategies that help ameliorate/overcome these barriers
• Research, locate, refer and connect clients to supportive community resources, based on their needs and interests (e.g., income assistance, fitness, education, language skills, cultural mores, artistic and other creative endeavours)
• Assist in providing information, support, referral and coordination of services, keeping concise, up-to-date records of each program
• In accordance with Margaret’s procedures and policies, employ a strengths-based, person-centered approach that fosters the growth of capacities among clients to achieve greater resilience and stability in a supportive community – Monitor progress, provide encouragement and feedback to the client
• Assist in providing information, support, referral and coordination of services to marginalized, vulnerable individuals 16+, and their families/caregivers, who are destabilized by precarious mental health challenges and face marginalization and exclusion
• Employ a strengths-based approach that fosters the growth of capacities among clients to achieve greater resilience and stability in a more supportive community
• Research, locate, refer and connect clients to appropriate community partners and additional supportive resources, based their needs (e.g., housing, health care, income assistance, education, creative endeavours)
• Champion a client’s individual capacity for supportive independent community living where appropriate; assist housed clients to successfully remain in their housing by providing prevention and diversion strategies that promote housing stability, working with housing providers where applicable
• Work in partnership with staff, clients and their families, community members, and other agencies to create multiple opportunities, both formal and informal, for active, on-going participation

Eligibility Criteria:

In order to apply for this position, candidates must meet ALL of the following:

• Be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment
• Must be currently enrolled in a post-secondary education program
• Be legally entitled to work in the Province of Ontario

The Successful Candidate will:

• Post-secondary education in the social services field (BSW preferred)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word and Outlook)
• Experience working with vulnerable population providing supports based on the individual needs of the participants
• Experience conducting risk assessments with the clients
• Experience with crisis intervention and protection services
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to set priorities, to organize and exercise initiative in a complex and fast-paced work environment with high-volume caseloads and competing demands
• The ability to speak a second language is considered an asset

Margaret Community and Housing Support Services are committed to Employment Equity. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please no phone calls.

Email: Cover letter and resume to:

Zaineb Sohail: zaineb@margarets.ca

Harm Reduction Support Worker

Position Type: 8 Week Summer Student Program

Job Region: Toronto

Number of Positions: 2

The Margaret’s Housing and Community Support Services is looking for someone who will promote a safe, supportive, and sets a high standard for the participants and staff. The Social and Community Services Worker is responsible to endorse a welcoming space where community members will feel safe and comfortable to spend time and be encouraged to participate in our daily program activities. The successful candidate will be a strong networker who will be able to connect with external organizations and improve the area of community needs and or concerns.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide Client Support, individually and in group sessions, to assist in managing dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes
• Assist staff in providing services to disenfranchised women and men who are clients at our drop-in
• Develop an understanding of what harm reduction is, and what it is not, working with clients to support autonomy, increase options, and reduce risks
• Learn about the use and administration of Naloxone, and harm reduction kits • Compile harm reduction kits (needle kits, pipes, etc.), and stock them as required
• Assist staff in providing harm reduction and addictions support, information and referral to clients, interacting with service users and distributing harm reduction materials. (NOTE: These are not supervised consumption centers. Clients may obtain harm reduction items such as kits, but must go to a designated center to use – Naloxone excepted.)
• Work with team leader and other staff to assess client knowledge of the best practices for safer drug use, and provide information about proper drug use techniques to facilitate the best possible health outcomes
• Keep accurate, timely records of items, and enter relevant statistics into a database
• Maintain non-judgmental, friendly interactions with clients while respecting appropriate and professional client/work boundaries at all times; maintain client confidentiality

Skills and Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in social work and a minor in gerontology or equivalent in experience
• Demonstrated assessment, coordination and crisis intervention and counselling skills
• Strong listening skills
• Demonstrated commitment to client centered service
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Well developed organizational and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to interact with service partners and function effectively as a team member
• Word-processing skills and familiarity with data base applications and data collection
• Fluency in languages other than English is an asset for this position
• Anti-oppressive recovery model
• Demonstrated administrative skill

Eligibility Criteria:

In order to apply for this position, candidates must meet ALL of the following:

• Be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment
• Must be currently enrolled in a post-secondary education program
• Be legally entitled to work in the Province of Ontario

The Successful Candidate will:

• Post-secondary education in the social services field (BSW preferred)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word and Outlook)
• Experience working with vulnerable population providing supports based on the individual needs of the participants
• Experience conducting risk assessments with the clients
• Experience with crisis intervention and protection services
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to set priorities, to organize and exercise initiative in a complex and fast-paced work environment with high-volume caseloads and competing demands
• The ability to speak a second language is considered an asset

Margaret Community and Housing Support Services are committed to Employment Equity. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please no phone calls.

Email: Cover letter and resume to:

Zaineb Sohail: zaineb@margarets.ca

Drop- In/Respite Manager

Position Type: Full Time Contract

Job Region: Toronto

Number of Positions: 1

General Accountability:

This position is accountable to the Program Director/ Executive Director and will lead a staff comprised of various staffing positions within Margaret’s Continuum of Housing.

Nature and Scope:

Margaret’s Housing and Community Support Services (MHCSS) has a job opportunity as Drop- In/ Respite Manager.  As a member of the MHCSS staff team, the Drop- In/ Respite Manager is responsible for ensuring the provision of appropriate services to participants who are homeless, marginalized and experiencing mental health, addiction, and/or chronic illness. The Manager would oversee 2 sites, 323 Dundas St. E. and 21 Park Rd, that are open 24/7 and are low barrier services.  The Drop- In/Respite Manager will report to the Program Director.

Job Responsibilities:

• Recruitment, hiring, and training, as well as, supervision and evaluation of staff, student and volunteers of drop in/respite services.
• Oversee day to day operations of Drop In/ Respite Services
• Program Evaluation
• Ensure provision of client services are based on best practices and consistent with applicable legislation and funder expectations
• Contribute information necessary for budgets, billing and reporting to funder
• Provide statistical data as required by the City of Toronto and others
• Coordinate and ensure the purchase of supplies and equipment as necessary for functioning of centers
• Collaborate with Health and Safety Committees to ensure both sites meet regulations covering health, safety and capacity requirements
• Develop programs and partnerships that would benefit participants of services.
• Identify, report and take steps necessary to mitigate risks; completion of incident reports
• Ensuring smooth transition and transfer of relevant information between workers, shift leads and the management team.
• Participate in community development activities, initiatives and outreach to relevant groups including cultural, racial, sexually diverse, special needs, mental health and homeless group
• Other duties as assigned

Skills and Qualifications:

• A Master or Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related fields
• Minimum five (5) years’ experience working with diverse client bases including homeless and under-housed people, as well as those experiencing issues relating to addictions/mental health.
• 3 years’ management experience in social services sector
• Understanding of issues related to homelessness and impact on participants
• Strong knowledge of harm reduction, trauma, and client centered services
• Ability to work with and meet strict timelines; ability to think under stressed situations.
• Ability to deal with highly sensitive and personal information and maintain the appropriate safeguards for the confidentiality of Agency information and client records
• Excellent communication skills- verbal and written
• Another Language is an asset

Margaret Community and Housing Support Services are committed to Employment Equity. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please no phone calls.

Email: Cover letter and resume to:

Zaineb Sohail: zaineb@margarets.ca