CharityVillage

Job Title: Social Worker - HERO Program (Healing Emotionally Restoring Opportunity)

Position: Full Time Contract

About Us:

REST Centers is a B3 (black-led, black-focused, black-serving) charity working to end youth homelessness in Peel Region by providing transitional housing and support services to youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including those leaving the foster care system. We are providers of a housing-first, community-driven model to keep youth off the streets and foster their transition to independent living. We move beyond ‘emergency or temporary’ solutions, focusing instead on a continuum of care. We surround youth with holistic support, helping them change their story and discover new life possibilities, including shelter; income, food, and basic necessities; physical, mental and emotional wellness; cultivating life skills and self-belief.

At REST Centres, we are dedicated to making a profound impact in the lives of homeless and at-risk BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) youth through our HERO program. We have developed a distinctive approach that seamlessly combines the Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), intensive one-on-one case management, and group therapy approaches.

Our mission is to maintain or restore good mental health and promote stable living for our target population. As a Social Worker in the HERO Program, you will play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive mental health support and case management services to homeless and at-risk BIPOC youth.

Responsibilities:

• Culturally Responsive Assessments: Conduct culturally responsive assessments to gain insights into each client's unique needs and challenges.
• Collaborative Approach: Collaborate with other organizations to identify and facilitate holistic and comprehensive support for clients.
• Individualized Treatment Plans: Develop and implement individualized treatment plans, utilizing evidence-based approaches like CRA and MET to address mental health and well-being.
• Trauma-Informed Counseling: Provide trauma-informed counseling and therapy sessions to reduce stigma, improve mental well-being, and support clients on their path to recovery.
• Group Therapy: Facilitate group therapy sessions that incorporate therapeutic storytelling, art therapy, and other creative techniques to promote healing and growth.
• Program Design & Support: Support the implementation, assessment and review of REST’s HERO Program
• Peer Support and Mentorship: Offer peer support and mentorship opportunities within group therapy sessions, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of holistic and comprehensive services, including case conferences.
• Community Engagement: Participate in REST community days and events, engaging with clients and mentors to promote positive identity development and social integration.
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and confidential client records, progress notes, and treatment plans in compliance with ethical and legal standards, and organizational policies.
• Psycho-Educational Groups: Develop, organize, and facilitate psycho-educational groups. Provide crisis support in emergency situations

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in social work from an accredited institution.
• Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service.
• Demonstrated experience providing social work services to youth, and families.
• Proven experience as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of community-based mental health services in the Region of Peel.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience working with homeless and at-risk youth, particularly within BIPOC communities.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care, evidence-based therapeutic approaches, and culturally responsive practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with clients and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Empathy, compassion, and a nonjudgmental approach to supporting clients.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to the unique needs of each client.
• Proficiency in maintaining accurate and confidential client records.
• Additional Information:

Transferable Skills

• Lived experience of the Black, African & Caribbean culture understanding of anti-Black racism issues
• Understanding of challenges faced by homeless youth
• Proven time-management, organization, engagement and sustainability skills
• Ability to work well in a team setting and with minimal supervision
• Excellent facilitation skills Computer proficiency in Windows Microsoft

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 12 months

Salary: $65,000.00-$68,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Personal days
• Vision care
• Wellness program
• Work from home

Flexible Language Requirement:

• English not required

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Brampton, ON L6V 1B2: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Master's Degree (preferred)

Experience:

• Mental Health work: 3 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Registered with Ontario College of Social Workers (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Brampton, ON L6V 1B2