Friends of Ruby (FoR) is dedicated to the journey and well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, aged 16-29 through mental health services, social services, and housing. FoR offers Youth Mental Health services, a Youth Drop-In Centre, and a Transitional Home. The Centre provides access to barrier-free counselling and therapeutic groups, case management and a drop-in space with hot meals, community, and comprehensive programming. The Home provides transitional and emergency housing, as well as mental health and life-skills to support youth moving towards independent living.

FoR recognizes that a diverse work force is critical to accomplishing our mission. Our goal is to attract and develop highly talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We strongly encourage applicants from the 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, and diverse backgrounds that meet the requirements of the role. We welcome applicants to  introduce themselves, their stories and lived experiences in their cover letter to the degree they are comfortable with.

Why Work at Friends of Ruby? 

• A safe space to show up authentically through our workplace culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Gain professional and personal development through an engaging and supportive work environment.
• Create positive impact while serving and working alongside the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
• Establish meaningful connections and expand your network in the non-profit sector.
• Produce projects and outcomes that motivate, inspire, and drive you.

Position Summary

We are looking for a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to be our next Youth Program Worker and support the Organization’s efforts towards providing progressive support to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in our Youth Services Centre in Downtown Toronto.

Applicants are required to work in person with youth and be available to work at a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the Drop In, including working evenings.

This opportunity lets applicants to be creative; developing social and fun programming, allowing for discussion, growth, and wellness. The selected candidate must have experience with programming, crisis management, good communication skills and computer skills, as well as proven experience in supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

The Youth Program Worker will provide support in our drop-in by interacting and facilitating respectful communication among the participants and responding to escalating situations when needed. The Youth Program Worker develops, implements, and coordinates service delivery through engagement activities for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, both individually through service plans and within a group setting. They will also support and help with our daily food program, perform reception duties, set up the space before groups, clean up after groups, do purchasing when required, complete outreach and community engagement, and ensure COVID-19 protocols are in place and being followed to ensure the drop-in space runs in a safe and organized way.

The Youth Program Workers have combined lived experience, active listening, and engagement skills to offer youth-centered and trauma-informed supportive counselling, co-facilitating groups, and short-term/follow-up case management where applicable.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Utilizing strengths-based, trauma-informed, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, harm reduction approaches, the Youth Program Worker will:

• Assess participant needs, research resources and options for participants, follow up informally with participants working on short-term goal plans
• Welcome and orient youth to Friends of Ruby in an approachable, non-judgmental way, and maintain a safe, welcoming, organized, and calming space
• Plan and facilitate individual and group programs and activities that support holistic wellness and are culturally relevant; implementing a harm-reduction approach to all services offered
• Coordinate and increase access to basic needs including food, hygiene, clothing, etc.
• Support youth directly with needs including housing, employment, education, food security and cultural connections
• Provide crisis intervention when necessary and follow up with youth
• Develop, plan, and execute programs/services that meet the needs of youth both in person and online
• Network, complete outreach, and work alongside community partners to meet the needs of youth
• Ensure youth voices are embedded in the development and operations of our programs
• Organize and participate in public education seminars, workshops, groups and training for youth, parents and service providers based on relevant and current research
• Prepares and updates outreach support materials including flyers, posters, email blasts and other promotional materials
• Support volunteers and students in providing direct, positive, affirming, and inclusive support that can help to increase participant self-esteem, confidence, and social connections
• Support the Service Coordinator with tasks at the front desk such as signing participants in, registering new participants, answering the phone, etc.
• Other duties as required

Qualifications and Experiences

• 3+ years of experience working with youth and/or in mental health and addictions services.
• Post-secondary school education in social services, social sciences, or humanities and/or comparable work experience.
• Ability to develop collaborative working relationships with other staff, leadership skills, excellent written and oral communications skills, and MS Office and database computer skills.
• Ability to build rapport and to work with youth experiencing unstable housing, food insecurity, substance use and/or mental health issues, and knowledge of community resources relevant to youth.
• Experience facilitating activities and programs, including culturally based programming, with youth centered anti-oppressive, trauma-informed framework.
• Ability to respond to crisis and post-crisis situations.
• Ability to demonstrate and work through a lens of sensitivity to diversity related to race, religion, culture, cognitive functioning, poverty, sexual orientation, and gender identity; experience working with diverse populations is considered an asset.
• Have lived experienced as a member of the queer, trans, 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
• Be able to work independently, multitask and remain calm in situations that involve multiple demands, demonstrating teamwork, flexibility, and initiative.

Additional Requirements

• Satisfactory clearance under the Vulnerable Sector Police Check Program.
• Must be qualified to legally work in Canada.
• Willing to work at a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the Drop In, working evenings and weekends on occasions.
• Ability to travel to other community-based settings as needed.

What’s in it for YOU? 

• A comprehensive benefits package effective on day one!
• 12 personal days for illness/personal time away; 3 weeks of vacation
• RRSP matching contribution program
• Dog-friendly office

COVID-19 Protocol 

FoR believes that immunization against COVID-19 is an individual and societal responsibility and that we must do everything possible to protect our clients, families, employees, students, volunteers, and contractors against the spread of COVID-19. As a condition of employment, proof of full vaccination or exemption under the Ontario Human Rights Code must be submitted to Human Resources seven (7) calendar days prior to start date.
Hiring Policy / Statement on Employment Equity and Diversity 

FoR strives for inclusion and diversity by attracting extraordinary people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. Candidates with lived experience of homelessness and/or who self-identify as being from the 2SLGBTQIA+ or marginalized community, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and persons, are encouraged to apply and will be prioritized. We ask that these candidates indicate their relevant identities in their cover letters.