Ogimaawabiitong is dedicated and committed to “Excellence in all that we do”. The ethics, along with the Seven Teachings, speak to how the organization operates: in relation to interaction amongst clients, staff, members and other stake holders. The Ogimaawabiitong code of ethics and teachings reflect in both decision-making and service delivery.
Do you want to work for a health care organization that changes people’s lives? One that not only cares deeply about clients, but also values that its employees are its greatest Gifts!
Examples of Support
- Unique health services organization
- Supportive management team and collaborative work environment
- Family Culture
- Innovative environment
- Enriched job fulfilment and
- We offer a competitive compensation package, and exceptional opportunities for career growth
- A retirement savings plan with company contributions
Position Description
Reporting to the Youth Wellness Hub Manager, the Youth Outreach Worker (YOW) will provide services to youth aged 12-25 who are considered “high-risk/at-risk” and who may struggle to connect with conventional services. The YOW will utilize relational techniques and stages of change framework to support youth. This work will be done through a peer support lens in a way that is empowering, strengths-based, and promotes access to Anishinaabe culture and ceremony when needed.
Integration of the YOW within the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub (KYWH) fosters continuity of care across a variety of integrated services that are stationed at the Hub. Supported by a network of organizational partners, as well as a Youth Advisory Council, the KYWH aims to increase access by reducing barriers and co-creating its programs and services with youth.
YOW services will be delivered within the policy guidelines of the Kenora Chiefs Advisory (KCA) and the mandate outlined by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS). The YOW Program operates within the Mental Health and Addictions department at KCA
Position Title: Youth Outreach Worker
Department: Mental Health & Addictions
Term: Full-time
Location: 240 Veterans Drive, 3rd Floor, Kenora, Ontario
Reports to: Manager – Youth Wellness Hub
Responsibilities
Youth & Family Engagement
- Apply an understanding of the ‘Stages of Change’ intervention framework to all aspects of work with youth and families
- Seek out and engage youth where they are comfortable being seen, e.g. schools, the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub, recreational and land-based programs, community spaces, shelters, Morning Star Detox Centre etc
- Provide information, education, and guidance to youth and their families about mental health and substance use, adaptive coping mechanisms, trauma, personal safety, human trafficking, housing, and other wellness related aspects of life through a peer support approach
- Provide information, intervention options, and support to parents/guardians on assisting their youth in managing mental health and wellness challenges
- Be prepared to assist and respond to crisis situations if they arise (training provided)
- Present as a positive role model to youth accessing services
- Maintain the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub space
Outreach and Referrals
- Facilitate youth connection and referral to supportive providers and services
- Increasing access to supports through assisting youth navigate systems e.g. housing, education, employment, etc
- Act as liaison between service providers and at-risk/high-risk youth for the purposes of advocacy, and helping youth maintain positive connections with the right supports
- Support youth and families to connect with, and access Traditional Healing when appropriate, in partnership with cultural coordination staff at KCA, in community, and at other organizations
- Participate in inter-disciplinary case conferences as requested or needed
Community Engagement
- Network, and develop partnerships with community resources both in KCA member First Nations, and local urban centers such as Kenora
- Be responsive to concerned members of the community who may provide information about youth who are presenting at-risk/high-risk, and/or appear to not be connected to supports
- Coordinate with Youth Mobile Crisis Workers, Crisis Workers, KYWH staff, and any other staff working directly with youth across service sectors to ensure that youth are receiving the support they need
- Facilitate individual and group programs and activities through the KYWH drop-in program
- Ensure youth voice is embedded in the development and operations of the KYWH
- Support community events
Monitoring and Reporting
- Keep accurate, timely client contact records in accordance with program requirements. All data entry should be completed regularly, within 24-hours for crisis interventions
- Track significant interactions, and follow-up with individual youth and their families
- Maintain data entry into data bases as required by KCA, MCCSS, and KYWH program standards
- Contribute to the evaluation of service with respect to its effectiveness in meeting the community needs and achieving our mandate
- Participate in supervision to ensure scope of practice is being maintained
Qualifications
- Lived experience with mental health and/or substance use issues, navigating the social service systems, or overcoming adversity. Willingness to share experiences is a requirement
- Excellent rapport and ability to work with youth
- Experience working with, coaching, engaging, and/or supporting youth, with an emphasis on a strengths-based approach
- Experience facilitating activities and programs, specifically culturally rooted programming, is an asset
- Ability to respond to crisis and post-crisis situations
- 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
- Willingness to engage in trainings related to mental health and substance
- Excellent skills in the following areas: interpersonal, computer, organizational, networking, presentation, and communication (written & oral)
- Knowledge historical and ongoing impacts of colonization and intergenerational trauma is required
- Knowledge of the Anishinaabe culture and language is an asset
- Experience in working in First Nation communities will be considered an asset
Education
- University Degree or College Diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution (Psychology, Social Work/Social Service Worker, Child and Youth Worker), or, the equivalent combination of Lived and/or proven work experience
- Eligible for membership in your professional organization, if applicable
Position Requirements
- Valid driver’s license and vehicle
- Willing to travel (when required) to KCA member First Nation communities
- Current satisfactory Vulnerable Sector (Criminal Record) check
- Understanding of the Anishinaabe language (Ojibway) is an asset
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
We are looking to grow our teams with people who share our energy and enthusiasm for creating the
best experience for our clients and within KCA. Discover What’s Possible!
Please forward your resume cover letter and 3 references by Friday August 11, 2023, 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.
* *Traditional practices involve burning sacred medicines including tobacco, sweetgrass, sage and cedar within the work setting