Casual Youth Worker Foundations Program

About Covenant House:
Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has been providing love and hope to Vancouver’s homeless and at-risk street youth. We help young people aged 16 to 24 who have fled physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; those who have been forced from their homes; and those who have aged out of foster care. Our purpose is to serve all youth, with absolute respect and unconditional love, to help youth experiencing homelessness, and to protect and safeguard all youth in need.

The Impact a Youth Worker in the Foundations Program can make:
The VCH Foundations Program is a residential stabilization program where we work with the principles of immediacy, sanctuary, value communication, structure, and choice. You will demonstrate absolute respect and unconditional love to youth that will support them to know their worth.

The VCH Foundations Program is a safe and non-judgmental environment where youth are supported to address every aspect of wellbeing - health, emotional, and spiritual. You will provide services from an attachment-based, harm reduction, culturally relevant, trauma-informed model of care. You will have the opportunity to build transformative relationship with youth and reduce the risks of street homelessness and substance use. Through relentless engagement, the CHV continuum of care connects with youth where they are at because we feel it should be “one size fits one” when it comes to supporting young people.

How you will contribute:

• Greet and welcome youth accessing CHV services, assess and respond to their immediate needs, and provide them with practical resources including food, clothing, and transportation
• Initiate, develop and maintain professional relationships with youth 16-24 years of age
• Upon entry to the Program, introduce the services provided, orient new youth, and complete program intake
• Center the principles of Harm Reduction and Trauma-Informed Practice
• Work with youth to address their individual needs and goals
• Supporting youth with addictions and mental health challenges and referring to specialist agencies and/or allied professionals where needed
• Document client notes in ETO, write Incident Reports, and other routine documentation as required
• Coordinate youth meetings and activities, including recreation and life skills
• Attend all training as directed
• Maintain youth rooms including: set up, safety checks, etc.
• Laundry as needed
• Other duties as required

Who we are looking for?:
Education and Experience:

• Diploma or degree in related social service or relevant experience with harm reduction principles. Degree or Diploma in Social Work, Social Services, Child and Youth Care, or a related field. Or, relevant experience working in a similar capacity with a strong knowledge of harm reduction principals.
• 2 years experience in a similar role
• First Aid & Non-Violent Crisis Intervention is an asset
• Evidence of compliance with the Province’s immunization and tuberculosis control programs is required

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Familiarity with at risk youth and youth homelessness
• Familiarity with issued related to substance use
• Familiarity of Harm Reduction principles and practices
• Familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with the Youth
• Basic computer skills
• Working knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice

Why Work for us? Would you like to:

• Be part of a team that makes a difference in the lives of youth in need
• Work with a multidisciplinary team of youth workers, social workers, clinical counsellors, mentorship and life skills coordinators, outreach, and housing workers
• Work safely with low youth to staff ratio
• Have generous Health & Dental Benefits, including substantial counselling benefits ($4,000 per year to ensure you are looking after you!), employee assistance program, excellent vacation (starting at 15 days per year!), personal and sick leave
• Access ongoing training and development to improve both professional and personal growth
• Attend an array of exciting team bonding exercises throughout the year
• An inclusive team that welcomes innovative ideas and creativity

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

• Persons from groups marginalized due to race, ancestry, colour, religion/spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
• Persons with visible (physical) and/or invisible (mental) disabilities;
• Persons who identify as women;
• Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; and
• Indigenous persons.

We recognize that many of these identities intersect and that therefore, diversity, equity, and inclusion can be complex. We value the contributions that each person brings and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all at Covenant House Vancouver.

We love what we do and try to make a difference every day. If you are looking to join a plac