Youth Outreach Worker

Summary

Caribbean African Canadian Social Services (CAFCAN) provides client-centered social services that promote the overall well being of the Caribbean African and Diasporic communities in the Greater Toronto Area. CAFCAN is situated in one of Toronto’s most diverse and high needs communities and provides a wide range of programs, services and activities to Black children, youth, families and seniors.

We are currently accepting applications for the position of Youth Outreach Worker who works within a multi-disciplinary team to outreach to youth (12-21) who live in the Jane Finch Community and surrounding areas to address common issues and assist in developing positive solutions for youth.

Under the auspices of the Provincial Youth Outreach Worker Program, the Youth Outreach Worker provides a range of outreach services to youth and families and groups to enhance or maintain youth functioning in the community. This position carries responsibility from prevention, early intervention, program development, and community outreach services with youth and families.

Key Responsibilities:

• Reach out and engage youth including youth in activities that promote assets, competencies and resiliency.
• Work collectively and flexibly with youth and their families as well as cross-sector service provider partners ( i.e., school boards, police, and youth service providers) in developing individualized and effective, strengths-based service plans.
• Attend community meetings and effectively liaise and network with various community organizations (i.e., community or neighbourhood associations, schools, faith institutions) in order to develop a system of supports and promote opportunities for young people.
• Act as an advocate, and mentor and counsel youth to encourage social inclusion and reduce unhealthy behavior.
• Provide youth with information, contacts, referral services and supports as needed to facilitate access to programs, services and opportunities
• Complete administrative, documentation accurately and on a timely basis. Examples include updating of data systems, summarizing statistics of service.
• Work collaboratively with other Toronto north Youth Outreach Workers in order to have a coordinated approach to addressing the needs of youth, families and community.
• Liaise with community partners.
• Work within an anti-oppressive framework (including an anti-Black racism lens).
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of crisis management and the impact of trauma on youth and their families.
• Accept and work within the framework of CAFCAN’s mission, vision, values and policies.
• Assume other such responsibilities as may be deemed necessary from time to time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work preferred with minimum 3 years experience or relevant combination of education and experience.
• Registration with or eligibility to register with OCSWSSW or related regulatory body.
• Proven history of work with diverse Black communities across the Greater Toronto Area.
• A strengths -based, anti-oppression (including anti-Black racism), peer pressure, and youth engagement philosophy of service provision, and a belief in the resilience and selfdetermination of youth and families.
• Ability to provide outreach and service froma culturally safe, anti-racist lens that is responsive to the needs of youth and families
• Self-starter, ability to work well independently as well as in a team.
• Minimum 3 years experience coordinating mentoring programs for Black youth.
• Understanding of anti-oppression practices and barriers faced by Black youth and their families.
• Excellent communication skills-written skills for the completion of documents, reports and case. notes – verbal skills for communication on a one-to-one basis with clients.
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications.
• Ability to outreach to the community.
• Must be able to work flexible hours including evenings and occasional weekends.
• Standard First Aid & Vulnerable Sector Check Certificates are required.
• Lived experience of the issues faced by people of Black African Caribbean backgrounds.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and documentation skills.
• Experience in working with a diverse team and proven ability as an effective member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Oral proficiency in languages of Africa and the Diaspora are considered assets.
• A valid driver’s license and daily access to a reliable vehicle are preferred.

We thank all applicants, however only short listed candidates will be contacted.