Employer: Sandgate Women's Shelter of York Region Inc

Location: Jackson's Point & Richmond Hill

Job Type: Permanent (Part Time)

Closes: September 15, 2026

Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region Inc. is a feminist organization, dedicated to empowering all persons
who identify as women and their children through safe shelter, resources, information and advocacy in order to
eliminate violence in their lives. Established in 1992, Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region strives to
meet the needs of all women and their children in an inclusive and respectful manner.

Number of positions : 1

Terms : 32 hours per week. This is a unionized position. Must be available to work onsite at Sandgate
Women’s Shelter sites (Jackson’s Point and Richmond Hill shelters) and in the community in York region.
Compensation : $27.23 per hour + advantages

Major Responsibilities
The Group Coordinator & Lead Facilitator provides early intervention to child witnesses of violence
against women and their mothers by supporting them through the healing process. The Group
facilitator provides assistance with ongoing group development and service delivery. The incumbent
will plan, organize, and facilitate the Child Witness groups throughout the region; as well as co
facilitate other support groups as required. Service delivery includes crisis counselling, information
dissemination, supportive counselling, advocacy, safety planning, group facilitation, workshops,
problem solving and goal setting. Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region Inc. works within a harm
reduction, feminist and intersectional framework; following the mission, vision and guiding principles
of the organization.

Group Coordinator & Lead Facilitator, Roles and Responsibilities
Counselling/Individual Support Services

Develop and deliver child-centered, proactive safety planning for children and their mothers, appropriate for in person at the shelter(s)

Develop and deliver child-centered, proactive safety planning for children and their mothers, appropriate for the crisis support line and support work provided in the community

Provide supportive individual counselling to child and youth witnesses of violence against women

Provide supportive individual counselling to adult survivors of violence against women

Assist mothers navigating the social services and legal systems, and provide relevant referrals, as per the woman’s individual needs

Provide relevant referrals, as per children and youth’s individual needs

Provide advocacy on behalf of women, children and youth that have experienced or witnessed violence against women

Provide three months of individual follow up support for women, children and youth after the close of group participation

Group Coordination, Planning and Outreach

Ability to create a safe, respectful, and affirming environment for mothers, children and youth from diverse family structures, including immigrant and refugee families, same-sex parents and 2SLGBTQ families. This includes: using age-appropriate and inclusive language, validating the lived experiences of all families, including 2SLGBTQ families, and ensuring that all discussions are free from bias or judgment

Liaise and build relationships with relevant service providers, schools, and child and youth organizations in the community, and share information on to the Let’s Talk Child Witness Program for women, children and youth that have experienced or witnessed violence

Lead outreach activities related to the Let’s Talk Child Witness Program: i.e. creating outreach tools, creating an outreach plan (example: making contact with relevant service providers, schools,



and child and youth organizations in the community), disseminating outreach materials widely in York region

Lead outreach activities related to other Sandgate Women’s Shelter group programs: i.e. creating outreach tools, creating an outreach plan (example: making contact with relevant service providers, diverse community space and organizations in the community), disseminating outreach materials widely in York region

Receive referrals to the Let’s Talk Child Witness Program from service providers, schools, and child and youth organizations in the community

Lead program planning for the Let’s Talk Child Witness Program: i.e. identify group program locations and venues, create program schedules, plan group program co-facilitator training, lead group program co-facilitator training, liaise with co-facilitators ongoing

Receive referrals to and lead program planning for other group programming offered through Sandgate Women’s Shelter

Conduct the intake process for all women, children and youth who access group programming through Sandgate Women’s Shelter

Facilitate ongoing service-user evaluation of all group programming offered through Sandgate Women’s Shelter: i.e. provide accessible women, children and youth-friendly group feedback surveys, collect completed feedback, and maintain an organized summary of collated feedback

Group Facilitation

Be the lead group facilitator for the Let’s Talk Child Witness Program, and provide group facilitation in one or more groups (women’s group, children’s groups, youth groups)

Be the lead group facilitator for other support groups taking place at Sandgate’s Women’s Shelter, as required

Plan, arrange and maintain group program details (location, facilitation, transportation, orientation, participation, etc.)

Lead planning for all group program refreshments planning and purchasing (including awareness and responsiveness to any participant dietary restrictions or allergies), group program supplies/art materials planning and purchasing, and other group program resources planning and purchasing

Assess for and lead planning for all group program participants’ practical assistance needs: i.e. child or elder care, transportation assistance, language interpretation, responding to participant special needs/abilities

Be responsible for the readiness and upkeep of all group program group rooms and meeting spaces (i.e. signage, materials)

Manage all group programs within budgetary and funder constraints

Assist the Programs Manager in ongoing development and recommendations for Sandgate’s Women’s Shelter group support services, ongoing

Demonstrate and model cultural sensitivity at all times

Organizational Compliance, Administration and Documentation

Adhere to all health and safety requirements

Maintain confidentiality, as per Sandgate Women’s Shelter policies

Maintain an organized Let’s Talk and/or other group programming curriculum; in addition, maintain all related curriculum resources (i.e. client-facing activities, worksheet templates, other resources) in a central and secure file at Sandgate Women’s Shelter

Ensure that all Let’s Talk and/or other group programming curriculum and related resources are relevant and up to date: this includes ensuring all materials reflect the diverse clients of Sandgate,



including those from diverse family structures, including same-sex parents and 2SLGBTQ families

Document Let’s Talk and other group programming trainings provided, attendance at trainings, provide completion certificates for trained staff, identify upcoming training expirations etc.

Understand and comply with all organizational policies, procedures and service delivery guides

Remain apprised of and comply with all organizational safety, security and emergency procedures

Complete all administrative aspects of the position, including but not limited to: maintaining up to date information in client database, monthly reports, communication logs, client notes, intake and group documentation

Remain apprised of funder and reporting expectations; in addition, prepare to meet these expectations in line with reporting schedules

Report accurate Let’s Talk Child Witness Program statistics and program impacts (quarterly and yearly) to Sandgate’s Programs Manager and/or Executive Director

Collect and report other group support data and statistical information, as required

Other

Work within a team, supporting colleagues and attending team meetings and events

Keep up to date with issues relevant to women, children and youth that have experienced or witnessed violence

Travel and work within York Region (various locations)

Qualifications and Skills

Post-secondary degree in a relevant discipline (ie. Social work, social services, women’s studies)

2+ years of direct service skills (counselling, crisis line, group) in gender-based violence support services

2+ years of direct service skills (counselling, crisis line, group) in youth and/or children’s services

Knowledge of the effects of witnessing violence against women on child development

Knowledge of trauma, substance use, mental health and their interaction(s) with violence against women

Knowledge of the social services and legal systems, and ability to effectively navigate within it

Crisis intervention and counselling skills

Demonstrated group facilitation skills with adults and/or children and youth

Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with clients and coworkers

Demonstrate active listening and ability to respond appropriately when interacting with individuals or in groups

Experience working with women, children and youth from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds

Co-facilitation and team support experience and skills

Knowledge of York Region’s resources and services

Knowledge and understanding of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act

Demonstrated organizational and time management skills

Fluency in a second language is an asset

Program management or program coordination experience and skills

Foundational technology (i.e. computer and internet literacy) skills, and ability to utilize these skills to streamline, make efficient and maintain records for the role

Position requirements

Understanding of gender-based violence, particularly intimate partner violence

Understanding of gender-based violence, particularly intimate partner violence, and its impacts on children and youth

Driver’s License, reliable vehicle for use while at work, and up to date insurance required

Ability to work with and support team members and clients from diverse intersections of identity (e.g., race, faith, sexual orientation, and gender identities)

A commitment to feminist, anti-colonial, anti-racist, and anti-oppression approaches to service delivery

Commitment to positively represents the organization at all times

Valid CPR/First Aid certification required

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📌 Group Coordinator & Lead Facilitator (Ontario)
🏢 Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses
📍 Ontario