Advocate - Anti-Human Trafficking Team

About this position

Advocate – Anti-Human Trafficking Team

Full time Position

As Canada’s largest agency serving at-risk, homeless and trafficked youth, Covenant House Toronto changes lives by providing the widest range of services and support to as many as 300 youth a day.  A national leader, we educate and advocate for change by influencing public policy and delivering prevention and awareness programs.

More than a place to stay, we provide 24/7 crisis shelter and transitional housing on-site and in the community, along with comprehensive services including education, counselling, health care, employment assistance, job training and after-care.

To do all this, we rely on donors for more than 80 per cent of our $30.6-million annual operating budget. Our doors are open to youth 16 to 24 regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or the circumstances that have brought them to our doors. Since opening our doors in 1982, Covenant House has served more than 95,000 young people.

The Advocate position will be responsible to support and implement Covenant House’s principles, program philosophies and policies. The individual will be a part of the Anti-Human Trafficking team, and will assist in the identification of survivors for the purpose of providing specialized counseling and case management supports to this population. They will be able to work well in a dynamic, fast-paced work, team setting.  The Advocate will be expected to support survivors in variety of program settings of Covenant House Toronto, including its off-site housing programs. This position is intended to be a Monday- Friday, 9-5 but the Advocate may on occasion be required to flex their work day/week to accommodate the needs of this unique population. This is a remarkable opportunity for an individual who seeks professional and personal challenges.

The successful applicant will be responsible for:

• Supporting staff in identifying survivors of HT/SE in our programs and in the community; acting as the primary contact for survivors residing in the Crisis bed program within the Shelter program
• To actively participate in monthly Advocate-case review meetings
• Active case management for a high volume case load; preparing and sharing case notes and plan updates in a timely manner to appropriate programs/partners
• Accurately interface with technology systems such as ETO, Outcomes Star and SMIS
• Acts as a liaison with outside agencies and referral sources to coordinate service plans for youth
• Facilitation and creation of community workshops, presentations and consultations (will include local and occasional out of town travel)
• Provide input and feedback on both internal and external referrals to the Rogers Home and Avdell Home
• Provides counseling support to youth through a trauma informed framework
• Responsible for escorting youth to court, legal proceedings and supporting them through victim impact statements
• Responsible for providing clinical consultation to others who are working with survivors both within Covenant House and the community
• To respond with Crisis Intervention in situations of physical confrontation, and medical and psychiatric emergencies for youth who have recently experienced trauma
• Responsible for facilitating family engagement where appropriate
• Responsible for assisting youth through immigration/refugee process as required
• Participates in case reviews, team meetings, shift changes and program meetings as required within a number of Covenant House Toronto’s areas
• Assist and support in the evaluation of the agency’s Urban Response Model, specifically within the Crisis and Stabilization and Transition pillars.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Social Worker, MSW or degree equivalency plus minimum of 2 years’ experience in a residential setting or equivalent education and experience
• UMAB, ASIST, First Aid, CPR and basic computer skills and a willingness to participate in on-going training
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrate initiative, critical thinking and a self-directed working style
• Knowledge of trauma informed care practices and needs of this specialized population of youth
• Knowledge of adolescent development theory and specific issues related to at risk youth
• Working knowledge of Resiliency theory and Stages of Change

Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and resume to Human Resources, on or before Thursday May 30, 2019.

Fax: 416.204.7030

Email: hradmin@covenanthouse.ca 

Website: www.covenanthouse.ca

We thank all applicants however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

As an employer, Covenant House is committed to building an organization that reflects the diversity of our clients and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from qualified individuals who represent diverse communities. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Covenant House Policies on Accommodation, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of Covenant House recruitment process.