CharityVillage

ABOUT US

Strides Toronto is a multi-service agency providing a wide range of exceptional programs and services that improve the mental, social and physical health of infants, children and youth from the pre-natal stage to age 29, and their families. With a range of community, residential and treatment services, we build strength and resilience through equitable, accessible, client-driven services, system leadership and advocacy. We provide individual, group and family interventions that include mental health counselling, autism services, education, outreach and referral, early intervention, day treatment and community support. In its Lead Agency role, Strides Toronto collaborates with 24 publicly funded infant, child and youth mental health (ICYMH) core service providers to design and implement system-level improvements that promote access, responsive service delivery and experience, and positive mental health outcomes for young people and families across Toronto's diverse communities. To learn more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to visit our website at www.stridestoronto.ca

ABOUT THE ROLE

Provide responsive, culturally affirming counselling support to children, youth, and their families/caregivers who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This role consists of providing mental health support through 1:1 counselling, group facilitation, and the coordination of appropriate referrals for additional support(s) as required. This role is funded by the Pediatric Recovery Fund, Ontario Health, to address equity and build capacity in the child and youth sector. Our program, Question Understand Explore Express Recover (QUEER) is designed to address and improve the mental health outcomes of 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth by providing comprehensive, culturally affirming mental health services delivered by a 2SLGBTQ+-identifying clinician.

Salary range: $37.47 to $43.44 per hour

                        This is a part-time contract (21 hours/week) position for one year. 

                        This position is represented by OPSEU local 567.

To ensure this assignment is effectively supporting the Question Understand Explore Express Recover (QUEER) program, Strides Toronto is seeking candidates who have lived experience, identity and expression as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

• We provide a hybrid work model.
• We provide opportunities for growth and professional development.
• We are committed to providing an equitable and inclusive environment where our diverse team members and clients can thrive.
• We have a collaborative and supportive Senior Management Team.
• We set high standards for performance, client outcomes, and implement best practices, which are demonstrated through our accreditation with the Canadian Centre for Accreditation.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Provide evidence informed counselling to clients and their families who maybe experiencing distress or who require mental health support with the intention of resolving the presenting issues or referring them to appropriate mental health resources or services. 
• Provide clients with skills, knowledge, resources and support to improve and/or manage mental health needs.
• Complete administrative tasks to ensure comprehensive client services.
• Complete record keeping in accordance with accreditation and legislative requirements.
• Respond to crisis to address and reduce immediate risk to client, staff and/ or community where a client may be at risk of harm to self or others (i.e., abuse, neglect, suicidal ideation, homelessness, aggression, self-harm, etc.).

THE “MUST HAVES”

The following education, professional memberships and knowledge are a requirement for this role: 

• Master's degree in social work, or related master's degree (e.g., counselling psychology). 
• Minimum of 2 years direct service experience, preferably within the youth mental health sector and/or vulnerable youth and/or equity-deserving groups.
• Registration in good standing with a licensing body that regulates counselling/psychotherapy such as the OCSSWSW or CRPO.
• Awareness of the role of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) in the workplace and within the community being served by the position.
• An understanding of anti-black racism, anti-oppressive/anti-racism perspective in the context of the social determinants of health.
• Ability to recognize and identify situations where incidents of imbalance of power and privilege may occur and can result in possible negative impacts.

THE ‘NICE TO HAVES’

While not required, preference will be given to candidates with the following:

• Lived experience of racism, ableism, homophobia or transphobia, genderism while navigating (mental healthcare) systems is an asset.
• Fluency in another language(s), including sign language.

BEFORE STARTING WITH US

As our work puts us in direct contact with youth and vulnerable persons in our community, with health and safety as a priority, the successful candidate must complete or obtain the following before commencement of their employment:

• A Vulnerable Sector police check.
• A positive police check does not automatically disqualify an applicant for a position with Strides Toronto.  The Police Check will be reviewed and evaluated for the purpose of making a decision on suitability for employment in relation to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position being filled.  

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your demonstrated education, certification (if applicable), working and related volunteer experience and how you meet specific requirements for this position, and any additional considerations you deem appropriate. The application deadline is June 17, 2025.

Strides Toronto is an equal opportunity employer. We benefit from diversity of lived experiences in the workplace and encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.  Strides Toronto is a participant in the Government of Canada’s 50-30 Challenge, a program which challenges organizations to improve access for women and/or non-binary people and other equity-deserving groups, including those identifying as: racialized, Black, and/or people of colour, people with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals, and Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples to  increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within their workplace.  

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Strides Toronto’s own policies, requests for accommodation will be considered throughout the hiring process.

We thank all applicants however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.