Organization Description For Youth Initiative (FYI) is a community-based charity that has supported teens and young adults in York South-Weston since 1995 and has expanded to serve youth in Oakwood-Vaughan. As a multi-service agency, FYI offers year-round programs and services that help young people meet their needs and reach their full potential. Using a case management model, FYI meets youth where they are and supports them in graduating high school, pursuing post-secondary education, gaining employment, and preparing for adulthood.

FYI’s mission is to support Black, racialized, and newcomer youth to navigate systemic barriers, plan for the future, and access resources and mentorship to thrive. Guided by values of respect, inclusion, collaboration, integrity, and curiosity, FYI is committed to ending the cycle of inequity and building strong, supportive communities.

Position Summary Under the direction of the Manager, FYI on Oakwood & Service Excellence, the Youth Social Worker will work as part of an integrated team to provide psycho-social support to youth justice diversion clients who are primarily between the ages of 12-17, with some clients up to 29 years of age. The duties performed by the Youth Social Worker may vary depending on program needs and range from supporting clients with case management, advocating for youth based on court-ordered conditions, and facilitating the RISE youth justice diversion program curriculum one on one or through group programming.

The Youth Social

Worker may also be asked at times to offer counselling related support and referrals to youth justice clients who are not on diversion and support in the shared work of coordinating youth justice programs and taking on special projects as it pertains to youth justice clients.

Required Qualifications

- Degree in Social Work (BSW) or Diploma in Social Service Work (SSW)
- Registered Youth Social Worker (RSW)/Social Service Worker (RSSW) in good standing/or potential of good standing with OCSWSSW

Main Tasks & Responsibilities

- Build rapport with Youth Justice clients virtually and in-person as required
- Conduct initial intake and needs assessment according to organizational standards
- Provide case and crisis management support to clients in collaboration with the Manager, Youth Programs and the broader FYI team from a strength based, person centered and trauma-informed lens
- Engage with clients to meet court-ordered conditions and advocate for education,



employment, and mentorship with internal or external programming
- Facilitate the RISE program model as needed for diversion clients through one on one and group counselling
- Provide reintegration-based support to clients who were incarcerated focusing on education, employment and mentorship
- Effective verbal and written communication with clients, the community, staff, program partners and the general public
- Maintain a safe space for Youth Justice clients, operating from a trauma informed, antiBlack racism and anti-oppression lens

Case Management

- Work collaboratively with all program staff to develop effective service delivery plans that ensure that youth have access to programs, services and opportunities
- Coordinate social work services and referrals between FYI Youth Justice clients and other agencies for FYI clients and their families when appropriate
- Manage a caseload of 15-20 active youth clients and provide periodic one-on-one sessions that focus on developing and achieving clients’ goals

Administrative Duties

- Maintain comprehensive client files and case notes utilizing FYI’s database system, tools and procedures
- Support training and on-boarding of program support staff
- Provide periodic reporting updates to manager in Progress Update meetings and Monthly Reports
- Document work with youth and partners using organizational database
- Support the evaluation of the program by conducting interviews, focus groups, surveys, and other data collection methods as needed
- Other administrative duties as required

Skills, Knowledge, & Experience

- Experience (2 years) providing counselling, case management or mentorship to youth (ages 12-29) who have been in conflict with the law or impacted by the criminal justice system
- Possess an understanding of the impacts of anti-Black racism and the criminal justice system and how this affects Black youth in Toronto
- Possess an understanding of court-ordered processes and programs for youth impacted by the criminal justice system (ex. EJM, EJS, community service)




- A proven ability to work with Black youth living in priority neighborhoods, particularly in the York-South Weston or Oakwood-Vaughan neighbourhood
- Knowledge and experience of working within an anti-oppression and anti-racist framework
- Some experience working with participants with mental health and/or substance use who have come in contact with the law or a part of the youth justice system
- The ability to build partnerships with community agencies and partner organizations
- Competent in Microsoft Office suite and related software
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
- Personal commitment to the values and mission of FYI
- Lived experience of involvement with criminal justice system or conflict with the law is an asset

Core Competencies

- Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Initiative and commitment to continuous learning
- Established a high degree of good judgment, professional manner, empathy, and strong understanding and application of principles
- Acceptance and use of constructive criticism for personal and professional growth
- Ability to work cooperatively with other professionals and community
- Capacity to work positively in a team workplace

Expected Job Outcomes The position has an overall impact on accomplishing FYI’s mission to support Black, racialized, and newcomer youth in York South-Weston as they prepare for the future with the resources and mentorship they need to thrive. FYI's six areas of focus are: Educational attainment, Workplace Readiness, Youth Justice, Newcomer Settlement, Civic Leadership, and Advocacy.

Working Relationships:

- Works under the supervision of the Manager, FYI on Oakwood & Service Excellence
- Will work with and support colleagues, including placement students, to complete tasks.
- The position interacts with staff, supervisors, managers, volunteers of FYI, the general public, partner organizations, corporate partners, and other organizations.

Working Conditions

- Hours of work - Works regular hours from 10:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday, with some requirement to work extended hours
- Location: Works from FYI, 1652 Keele Street and may be required to work from other locations based on funder or program requirements To apply, please forward your resume and cover letter to Maria Fritsch at [email protected]

Salary Range: $65,000-$67,000. Position open until filled.

📌 Youth Social Worker (Toronto)
🏢 For Youth Initiative (FYI)
📍 Toronto