Somali Women’s and Children’s Support Network is seeking to hire a Full Time Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker (Clinical) targeted to support East African, Muslim and Blackyouth who are high-risk ages 12-21 in Northwest Toronto.

Somali Women’s and Children’s Support Network (SWCSN) is a community-based non-profit organization which has been serving Toronto especially the North Etobicoke community for more than 25 years. Providing a range of programs and services from English language, skills development, computer skills, employment readiness, sewing skills, senior groups, parenting workshops, childcare and youth leadership programs. SWCSN has consistently responded to arising community needs through service provision and partnership development aimed at strengthening community outcomes.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker (Clinical) Program will be based on the principles of harm reduction, focusing on East African, Muslim and Black youth who are at-risk and high-risk by providing support to them and their families to better navigate and connect with services and pro-social opportunities.

This position carries responsibility for prevention, early intervention, program development and community outreach services with youth and families under the auspices of the provincial Youth Outreach Worker Program outlined by the Ontario Black Youth Action Plan.

The Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker (Clinical) will work as a part of the Youth Outreach Worker team to expand the continuum of services by providing intensive one-on-one support and counseling to high-risk youth to prevent youth from further risk/violence. The Program will identify and target youth ages 12-21 who face multiple barriers to wellbeing and success; are disengaged from their communities (e.g., lack school engagement or not in education, employment or training); and / or are in an identified priority community.

QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor of Social Work and relevant experience, Counselling, Psychology or equivalent and eligible for certification/membership in a registered skilled association for practitioners in clinical therapy
- Demonstrated ability delivering intensive, short-term counselling and support services to East African, Muslim and Black youth in crisis and referring and supporting them to access required services;
- Strong understanding of the needs of the East African, Muslim and Black youth who may be experiencing challenges related to anti-Black racism, such as mental health, addictions, trauma, relationship violence, human/sex trafficking and/or involvement in criminal activities;
- Knowledge of and sensitivity to the life and needs of the East African, Muslim and Black youth in the underserved community combined with previous community development experience;




- Knowledge of the community including knowledge and understanding of culture and local programs and services to refer East African, Muslim and Black youth, such as mental health and counselling supports;
- Experience working and engaging within the East African, Muslim and Black community, specifically youth and their families
- Demonstrated ability to support and refer family members of high-risk targeted youth to required services;
- Skill in managing the case plans of multiple, high-risk youth clients and their families;
- Knowledge and skill in developing and implementing group programs and workshops;
- Skill in establishing trusting relationships with targeted youth;
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate effectively with a range of community groups and service providers across sectors;
- Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and some weekends as needed.
- Access to a car an asset.
- Vulnerable Police check will be required prior to commencing position

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working as a part of the Youth Outreach Worker team, the Ontario Black Youth Action Plan Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker will:

- Provide short-term, counseling and support services to East African, Muslim and Black youth in accordance with the Stages of Change intervention model.
- Collaborate with the Youth Outreach Worker to identify East African, Muslim and Black youth who may require additional, more intensive services, and work with the Youth Outreach Worker to align support services for individual youth.
- Develop and oversee a short-term case management plan for East African, Muslim and Black youth clients, in partnership with the Youth Outreach Worker, and support youth by:
- Helping East African, Muslim and Black youth to identify their needs, goals, skills and abilities as well as barriers to accessing services;
- Helping East African, Muslim and Black youth to build resiliency, pro-social skills and other protective factors to address their various risk factors;
- East African, Muslim and Black youth who experience additional challenges, such as poor mental health due to anti- Black racism.
- Helping East African, Muslim and Black youth to address the specific incidents / risk factors that may bring them into conflict with peers, family, and / or the law;
- Providing East African, Muslim and Black youth with general information, contacts, referrals and support as needed to build assets and address needs (e.g.,



housing, employment, education, health care and recreation; social and emotional issues); and
- Referring East African, and Black youth to appropriate services in the community, and supporting them to access these services.
- Support parents and family members to help youth address their needs by providing short-term counseling, if needed, and referring parents and family members to other supports and services available in the community.
- Maintain collaborative working relationships with other professionals within and outside of the organization.
- In collaboration with Youth Outreach Worker Supervisor and team:
- Promote community awareness of the Youth Outreach Worker Program and maintain a recognizable community presence;
- Identify emerging issues, service gaps and opportunities for action to build community capacity; and
- Identify staff development / training needs and participate in staff development / training programs, as required.
- Enter and maintain accurate and complete service data in the Outreach Record in a timely manner.
- Maintain professional and evidence-based standards of practice in accordance with the Stages of Change intervention model, a positive youth development framework and relevant legislation (e.g., Child and Family Services Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act).
- To engage in regular supervision with the Supervisor of the EYOW(s).
- In collaboration with EYOW Supervisor and team:
- to build an understanding of the needs, issues, goals, aspirations, skills and abilities of youth by developing a composite picture of neighborhood demographics, and building on existing maps of services, programs and community assets available in the local neighborhood.
- to facilitate partnerships with community agencies, businesses, government and informal community groups to offer programs using arts, culture, civic engagement, and recreation.
- to provide services within an understanding of the context of oppression, poverty and diversity etc
- to identify staff development/training needs and to participate in staff development/training programs as required.
- To engage parents where possible through existing parent groups, faith communities, etc., and provide education, information on issues related to parenting, etc. as well as services available.
- To maintain service statistics and recording of all services as required
- To prepare program reviews as required and ensure that documentation and service statistics on the Outreach Record (OR) are completed in a timely manner.
- To actively participate in required Enhanced Youth Outreach Program team meetings.

Pay: $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35.0 per week

Benefits

- Casual dress
- On-site parking

Work Location: In person

📌 Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker- Clinical (Ontario Black Youth Action Plan) (Etobicoke)
🏢 Somali Women's and Children's Support Network
📍 Etobicoke