CharityVillage

POSITION TITLE: Peer Initiatives Coordinator

LOCATION: Toronto (54 Wolseley Street)

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: Friday, June 27th, 2025 

SALARY RANGE: $50,000 - $60,000 /annually 

ABOUT STELLA’S PLACE: 

Stella’s Place is a community-based integrated mental health service hub for young adults (16-29 years).  We integrate peer and clinical supports, and utilize innovative clinical practices and processes that put young adults in the ‘driver’s seat’ of their own recovery plan.

Mission: Partnering young adults and professionals to provide a collaborative, innovative model of mental health services.

Vision: Healthy, resilient young adults living the lives they choose.

Values: At Stella’s Place, we fundamentally value the capabilities and contributions of young adults, as we seek breakthrough innovations that benefit our community and society as a whole.  We also value:

• Inclusiveness, diversity and equity
• Accessibility and a sharing of knowledge
• Creativity along with a strengths-based approach

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

The Peer Initiatives Coordinator is an exciting opportunity to collaboratively implement Stella’s Place’s Access and Clinical and Recovery programming. This role is central to the success of our programs.  

Your primary focus will be supporting the development of Stella’s Place Peer Support Workers through the delivery of Access programming, along with the delivery of training sessions to youth, Peer Support Workers, community professionals, and other stakeholders.
Our Peer Support Workers support the delivery of a range of services at Stella’s Place, including online and in person co-facilitation of recovery groups, and drop-in programming in both the virtual Cafe and in-house Cafe. Programs on our menu of offerings have been co-designed by young adults and content experts, and feature the voices of Peer Support Workers. 

You will be responsible for administrative duties related to the Peer Support Training Program and participants  as well as engagement in community and organizational development including curriculum development and delivery.

You will work closely with, and report to the Senior Peer Initiatives Manager and closely collaborate with the Director, Education and Community Partnerships.  You will work in conjunction with other program managers. You will work from a strength-based perspective to develop, support, and evaluate integrated and peer-based initiatives. 

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES: 
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

• Oversee the development and implementation of the Peer Support Training Program at Stella’s Place
• Develop and deliver curriculum in the form of workshops and seminars related to mental health and peer support
• Oversee the promotion and enrollment of participants in the peer support training program
• Identify and provide learning opportunities for peer and community training, and methods for ongoing peer training and development to participants in the peer support training program.
• Work harmoniously with peers and professionals in various disciplines, as well as other professional and nonprofessional people in the community. 
• Participate in the planning, development, delivery, and evaluation of programming
• Utilize one’s lived experience to inform the development and delivery of programming
• Provide leadership in the continued development of the integration of peer support programs  
• Participate in evaluation of our recovery-based, young adult-focused peer model
• Build and participate in partnerships, networks and knowledge transfer to further the role of peer support in the mental health sector
• Represent the organization at planning meetings, conferences and other multi-stakeholder events

COACHING & SUPPORT

• Provide regular support, coaching, and mentoring to participants from a strength-based perspective
• Provide leadership and mentoring to Stella’s Place Peer Support Workers to support the design, implementation and evaluation of individual and group-based activities in line with recovery principles. 
• Lead and support organizational co-design groups 
• Train and support staff and participants with the implementation of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).

ORGANISATION & ADMINISTRATION 

• Act as a lead on the Curriculum, Development and Learning Committee
• Write and prepare clear, meaningful reports
• Participation in relevant sector committees as requested by management 
• Participate in the development, implementation and review of policies and procedures
• Assist in promotion and outreach for programming
• Participate in team and staff meetings 
• Engage and liaise with other community organizations and institutions to represent Stella’s Place and to explore opportunities for innovative service delivery
• Participate in continuous quality improvement processes
• Additional duties as required 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
Required:

• Program management experience, including development, delivery and evaluation of programs and services
• Lived experience of mental health and a demonstrable ability to effectively use learnings from one's recovery journey to support and empower youth and young adult participants
• 1 year of experience in the development and delivery of workshops and seminars to numerous audiences including educators, mental health workers, young adults and families, in both in-person and virtual platforms (e.g., Zoom),   
• Knowledge of peer support principles and practice
• A commitment to, and demonstrated skills in recovery-focused practice
• Experience working in the field of peer support
• Experience working with young adults 
• Experience using online methods to engage and support participants
• Experience in the collaborative development of programs, and organizational culture
• Group facilitation experience 
• Demonstrated diversity and cultural competence; utilizes culturally-responsive, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive approaches 
• Demonstrated understanding of the impact of oppression and social determinants of health 
• Knowledge of youth and young adult mental health services, community and recreational resources within Toronto 

COMPETENCIES:

• Strong public speaking skills and audience engagement competencies, including the facilitation of small group, large group and individual activities, to diverse audience types
• Skilled communicator; strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Comfort and skill presenting and facilitating groups
• Coaches, develops and empowers others; ability to motivate and engage
• Teamplayer with strong collaboration skills 
• Diversity, equity and inclusion; uses culturally-responsive, trauma informed and anti-oppressive approaches.
• Critical thinking; demonstrates professional judgement and reasoning in decision making

Preferred Assets:

• Peer Support training certificate (from Stella’s Place or elsewhere)
• Standard WRAP Level 2 
• CPR and First Aid 
• NVCI and ASIST training 
• Degree in health-related discipline (such as Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Drug and Alcohol Counselling, etc.)
• Bilingual

SALARY & BENEFITS:
Stella’s Place offers a competitive annual salary and a generous health and vacation package; including comprehensive medical, dental and vision health benefits, 3 weeks vacation and 15 health days annually, prorated to FTE. Vacation increases after one year of service.  

HOURS & REPORTING:
Regular communication, coaching, mentoring, professional development, and evaluation will take place with the Senior Peer Initiatives Manager on a regular basis.

This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week Monday to Friday. Weekend and evening work will be required occasionally.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND ACCOMMODATION:
Stella’s Place is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the City of Toronto in general and of our participants in particular. We strongly encourage applications from racialized persons, indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression and all those who can provide and contribute to diversification of perspective at Stella’s Place.

Stella’s Place is committed to hiring practices that are inclusive and barrier free. Stella’s Place will provide reasonable and appropriate accommodation during all stages of the hiring process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code in order to ensure the equal and fair assessment of all job applicants. Applicants are asked to make any accommodation request in advance.

YOUR APPLICATION:
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their cover letter outlining your interest in working with Stella’s Place along with a detailed CV by Friday, June 27, 2025.

We thank all candidates for their interest. We regret that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.