Youth Outreach Worker

About this position

 Job Title:       Youth Outreach Worker
Salary:            $53,550.64
Position:         Full Time Temporary Position 35/week 1FTE (One year - Maternity leave)
Competition:  2024-27
Start Date:      December 2024                                                         
Location:        West Toronto  

PRIMARY FUNCTION: 
Yorktown Family Services is seeking an outstanding Youth Outreach Worker to join our program dedicated to the empowerment of young people and prevention of youth violence.  Yorktown Family Services is the lead agency for the YOW program pin the West end of Toronto and is responsible for the delivery of the program in the neighborhoods of Jamestown -Mount Olive-Silverstone and Weston- Mount Dennis, and to specific youth populations including Roma, Somali, and Spanish communities.  The YOW program is a province wide Youth Opportunities Strategy initiative. That is designed to help marginalized youth and their families better navigate and connect with services and pro social opportunities in their communities to improve youth outcomes. The YOW program focuses on at-risk youth who live in an identified priority community. These youth may experience increased barriers in accessing the opportunities that can help them to develop their capacity to make health life choices and achieve their goals. 
 
RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To initiate, develop, implement and participate in community outreach activities with underserved youth and their communities in West Toronto
• Ability to provide outreach and service in “non-traditional” and culturally appropriate, community-based ways that are responsive to the needs of youth and families
• To carry out brokerage/ advocacy/ resourcing functions, and provide general information and referral services to youth and families
• To support and engage with youth, especially Somali female youth in Rexdale, and connect them to services such as employment, mentorship and after school programs
• To work collaboratively with parents, service providers, law enforcement and community organizations to ensure that youth have access to programs, services, and opportunities needed for health developments
• To develop a program model that supports the social and emotional skill development of youth. 
• To engage in program evaluation practices by developing, administering, synthesizing data tool outcomes
• To assist in maintaining a strong social media presence
• To reach out to and engage marginalized youth in activities promoting assets, competencies and resiliency while using a Stages of Change model
• To liaise and consult with the community, Boards of Education, schools and other service providers as required regarding the particular needs of marginalized youth and families
• To build an understanding of the needs, issues, goals, aspirations, skills and abilities of youth and build on existing maps of services, programs and community assets available in the local neighborhood and to help initiate new services in response to identified service requests and community needs
• To facilitate connections between youth and their neighborhood and promote awareness of the positive role of youth in the community
• To identify emerging community issues, service gaps and opportunities for action to build on community capacity
• To actively participate in required Youth Outreach team meetings
• To prepare program reviews as required, and ensure that documentation and service statistics on TREAT are completed in a timely manner
• To organize and participate in public education seminars, workshops, groups and training for youth, parents and service providers
• Modelling a strengths-based, anti-racism/anti-oppression, inclusive, diverse and youth engagement philosophy of service provision and a belief in the resilience of youth
• Self-starter, ability to work well independently as well as in a dynamic team

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Child and Youth Worker Diploma or directly related undergraduate degree from an accredited university program and 2 years of directly related experience working with marginalized youth as well as the ability to work independently
• Demonstrated ability to work co-operatively and negotiate effectively within a multidisciplinary team of service providers as well as the ability to work independently
• Demonstrated knowledge of and sensitivity to the life experiences and needs of youth community combined with previous community development experience
• Ability outreach services in “nontraditional” and culturally appropriate community-based ways that are responsive to the needs of youth and their families
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as needed
• Access to a vehicle and/or access to transportation within the GTA
• Ability to speak Somali is an asset
• Vulnerable Sector Screening required prior to commencing this position

 Reports to the Supervisor of Outreach and Community Engagement

Yorktown Family Services is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity.  Please submit your resume and cover letter by December 6, 2024.  Please quote Comp# 2024-27 and Job title in the subject line.

Yorktown values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to equity and inclusion.  As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of our communities.

The Ontario Human Rights  Code makes an exception for nepotism and anti-nepotism policies. Section 24(1)(d) of the Code specifically permits employers to grant or withhold employment or advancement in employment to someone who is the spouse, child or parent of the employee. All job applicants will be requested to disclose if any  relative is a  current employee of Yorktown Family Services.  As per Yorktown’s Nepotism Policy 2.9, job applicants will be asked to disclose family members  in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Yorktown Family Services welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.