Position: Community Advocate

Organization: LIFE*SPIN

Location: London, Ontario

Benefits: to be discussed at 90 day review

Employment: Full-Time, 12- Month Maternity Leave Contract, with 90 day probationary period

Application Deadline: September 9, 2026

Start Date: November 2, 2026

Organizational Background:

LIFE*SPIN is a registered charity that has led programming in London for over 25 years. Building community foundations for self-reliance has been the vision since our development. Self-reliance, as an organization, is about challenging unfair, legislation and injustice, building hope, and creating community spaces where people can work together. As a Community Economic Development (CED) organization, our programs are all geared towards enhancing the lives of low-income families through education, advocacy, and community-building.

We work with residents and stakeholders towards social, cultural, economic and environmentally sustainable renewal and revitalization of low-income neighbourhoods in London.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Community Advocate will lead the advocacy services at LIFE*SPIN in accordance with our Mission and Accountability Contract. The Office of the Community Advocate provides leadership and advocacy in delivery of services, which includes income support, housing supports, health and dental services, assistive devices and access to additional supports in the community. LIFE*SPIN works diligently to support low-income Londoners navigate the complexities of the healthcare, social assistance, social security, public systems, and daily challenges low-income residents continue to face, shaped by systemic inequity.

These challenges are recurring, and all highlight the need for systemic changes to make the services available in our community more inclusive.

Job Responsibilities:

- Conduct comprehensive client intake and needs assessments to identify barriers related to poverty, financial stability, physical and mental health, housing, and access to community resources.
- Provide individualized support, advocacy,



mediation, and case management to help clients navigate community, government, and social service systems.
- Respond to client inquiries, concerns, and requests in a timely, professional, and compassionate manner.
- Connect clients with appropriate community resources, programs, benefits, and referral services based on their unique circumstances.
- Assist eligible clients with applications for government income support programs, including the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D), and related benefits.
- Educate clients on available financial support programs, including Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSP), and ensure they receive relevant information and application resources.
- Coordinate the collection of supporting documentation, including medical, financial, and prescription records, required for benefit applications.
- Maintain regular communication with clients throughout the advocacy process, providing updates, guidance, and ongoing support until services are completed.
- Maintain accurate, organized, and confidential client records, documenting all interactions and case activities in accordance with organizational policies and privacy legislation (PIPEDA).
- Identify emerging client needs and contribute to the development of educational resources, focus groups, webinars, and community information sessions.
- Advocate for equitable access to services and remove barriers that prevent clients from accessing available supports.
- Foster respectful, inclusive, and client-centered relationships while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, professionalism,



and ethical practice.
- Systemic advocacy through links with other community agencies that work in the area of poverty, by attending relevant meetings and community events, (such as CLEO, PLEC, Community Advocates Network

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:

- Minimum of two (2) years of experience providing client advocacy, case management, community outreach, or social service support, preferably within a non-profit or community-based organization.
- Post-secondary degree social work, social justice and peace studies or a related field
- Experience using MS Office, comfortable in a digital workplace, and adaptable to learning new applications and systems
- Experience supporting individuals experiencing poverty, disability, housing insecurity, or other complex social and economic challenges is considered an asset.
- Knowledge of federal, provincial, and community income support programs, including the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D), Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), and other social assistance programs is preferred.

Assets:

- Knowledge of the work of LIFE*SPIN and low-income systemic issues in our community.

Other Information: LIFE*SPIN is an equity employer; and encourage Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour candidates to apply for this position. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, those with lived experience as low-income and people of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

Salary: $35,000 to $45,500 annually, based on experience

Regular Office Hours are 8:30 – 4:00, 35 hours/week

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following materials in a single PDF file to [email protected] with the subject line “Community Advocate”, by Wednesday, September 9th ET:

- Cover letter (1 page maximum)
- CV (2 pages maximum)

Pay: $20.00-$25.00 per hour

Work Location: In person

📌 Community Advocate (London)
🏢 LIFE*SPIN
📍 London