OGIMAAWABIITONG Employment Opportunity

POSITION: Drop-In Coordinator – 1 FTE Permanent Position
Child & Youth Mental Health

RESPONSIBLE TO: Manager – Youth Wellness Hub

Reporting to the Youth Wellness Hub Manager, the Drop-In Coordinator will work as part of the Youth Wellness Team, carrying out and overseeing the drop-in services. The Drop-In Coordinator will both plan and facilitate drop-in programming, working closely with the Peer Support Worker to ensure culturally safe, trauma-informed programs are offered to youth ages 12-25. This position will identify needs of young people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges and will work to address gaps, with an emphasis on increasing access to basic needs. As part of the Youth Wellness Team, the Drop-In Coordinator will work with other service providers to reduce barriers and increase access to services.
The Youth Wellness Hub offers timely access to a variety of integrated services, with an emphasis on mental health and substance use. The Youth Wellness Hub is supported by a network of organizational partners, as well as a Youth Advisory Council. The YWH aims to increase access by reducing barriers and co-creating its programs and services with youth.
The Kenora Youth Wellness Hub is committed to hiring individuals who represent the diversity of the populations we serve. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals including applicants from all cultures, Indigenous, Black and racialized communities, applicants with diverse sexual and gender identities, applicants with disabilities, and applicants with lived experience of mental health and substance use challenges.

Summary of Duties:
➢ Welcome and orient youth to the YWH in an approachable, non-judgmental way;
➢ Plan and facilitate individual and group programs and activities that support holistic wellness;
➢ Coordinate and increase access to basic needs including food, hygiene items, clothing, etc.;
➢ Support youth directly with needs including housing, employment, education, food security and cultural connections;
➢ Provide crisis intervention, when necessary;
➢ Support the Peer Support Worker, youth advisors and students with carrying out drop-in duties;
➢ Develop and plan low-barrier programs/services that meet the needs of youth, with an emphasis on those experiencing unstable housing;
➢ Ensure culturally-relevant programming is offered;
➢ Implement harm-reduction approaches to all services;
➢ Network and work alongside community partners to meet the needs of youth;
➢ Monitor and carry out daily maintenance of the drop-in space such as ensuring infection-control measures are in place, ordering supplies, coordinating donations, etc.;
➢ Ensure youth voice is embedded in the development and operations of the YWH;
➢ Respond to the changing needs and demands of young people by coordinating and implementing new programming;
➢ Communicate with youth, families, service providers and community members regarding the Hub’s drop-in services;
➢ Ensure all necessary data collection and reporting takes place;
➢ Work as part of the Youth Wellness Team to reduce barriers and increase access to services;
➢ Other duties as required.

Qualifications:
➢ Minimum 3 years’ experience working with youth and/or mental health and addictions services;
➢ College diploma or university degree from a recognized post-secondary institution preferred;
➢ Excellent rapport and ability to work with youth experiencing unstable housing, food insecurity, substance use and/or mental health issues;
➢ Experience facilitating activities and programs, including culturally-based programming;
➢ Ability to respond to crisis and post-crisis situations;
➢ Excellent skills in the following areas: team work, youth engagement, computer, organization, networking, interpersonal and communication (written & oral);
➢ Ability to demonstrate and work through a lens of sensitivity to diversity related to race, religion, culture, cognitive functioning, poverty, sexual orientation and gender identity;
➢ Commitment to participating and learning about Anishinaabe culture and experience working with First Nations populations is considered an asset;
➢ Willingness to engage in mental health, substance use and other necessary trainings to increase capacity and skills;
➢ Valid driver’s license and vehicle;
➢ Vulnerable Sector Criminal Records Search;
➢ Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends.

Please forward resume cover letter and 3 references by Friday, March 12th, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. to:
Human Resource Department
Kenora Chiefs Advisory
P.O. Box 349- 240 Veterans Drive, 3rd Floor
Kenora ON P9N 3X4
Fax: 807-467-2656
Email: resume@kenorachiefs.ca
We thank all that apply, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.