Reporting to the Youth Wellness Hub Manager, The Summer Student will deliver frontline support to youth using a caring, youth-friendly and culturally respectful approach. This position emphasizes the expertise of individuals with lived experience and utilizes empowerment techniques to support youth on their journey of healing and wellness. The Summer Student sees themselves as a peer to young people and will pull on their lived experience to relate to the challenges that youth face. As part of the Youth Wellness Team, the summer student will lead youth engagement, ensuring that youth voice is embedded in all aspects of the Youth Wellness Hub.
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.
Position Title: Summer Student- Kenora Youth Wellness Hub
Department: Health Promotion and Wellness Services Department
Term: 1 FTE (Contract Summer Position)
Location: 120 Main Street, Kenora, Ontario
Reports to: Manager – Youth Wellness Hub
Contract: May 4, 2026 – August 21 2026
Hourly Rate: $19.00/Hour (40 per week) + Bonus Opportunity, $1.00 for every hour worked
if contract is successfully completed
Positions Available: 1 Position
Duties and Responsibilities:
Be a Role Model of Inspiration
- Arrive punctually each day, ready to set the standard for behavior and engagement.
- Fully engage in staff training sessions.
- Wear the staff uniform, embodying the essence of camp professionalism.
- Model engaging and well-planned activities that inspire campers and staff alike.
Training & Professional Development
- Participate in YES Program training workshops and onboarding.
- Attend regular check-ins and professional development sessions.
- Complete all job-specific training and demonstrate confidence in assigned cleaning tasks.
- Assist with the design and delivery of staff training, including orientation for summer staff
- Provide mentorship and professional development throughout the summer, focusing on teaching skills, communication, and cultural awareness.
Youth & Family Engagement
- Welcome and orient youth to the YWH in an approachable, non-judgmental manner.
- Provide information, education and guidance to youth and families to help identify and access appropriate services.
- Support youth through the intake process and assist with service navigation.
- Facilitate individual and group programs and activities through the Youth Wellness Hub drop-in program.
- Support youth with needs related to housing, employment, education, food security, and cultural connections.
- Ensure youth voices are embedded in the development and operations of the Youth Wellness Hub.
- Assist in the facilitation of peer-led initiatives, such as peer support groups.
- Manage the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub social media platforms and other communication channels.
- Provide both in person and virtual service to clients.
Community Engagement
- Network and develop partnerships with community resources in KCA member First Nations and in local urban centers such as Kenora.
- Coordinate with Youth Mobile Crisis, Crisis Workers, KYWH staff and other youth serving organizations to ensure coordinated, comprehensive support.
- Facilitate individual and group programs and activities through community programs such as schools and community events.
- Ensure youth voices guide and influence Kenora Youth Wellness Program development, service delivery and operations
- Support community events, gatherings and outreach activities
Hub Operations
- Participate in daily Hub maintenance, including sanitization, organization, cleaning and general upkeep of the space.
- Work collaboratively with the Youth Wellness Team to reduce barriers and increase access to services.
- Perform other duties as required
Qualifications
- Lived experience with mental health and/or substance use and a willingness to share experiences is required.
- Strong rapport-building skills and ability to work effectively with youth.
- Strong skills in teamwork, youth engagement, social media, computer use, organization, networking, interpersonal communication, and written/oral communication.
- Ability to work through a lens of cultural humility and sensitivity to diversity
- Commitment to learning about Anishinaabe culture; experience working with First Nations communities is an asset.
Position Requirements
- Valid driver’s license and vehicle;
- Current satisfactory Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector Search.
- Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends.
Criteria
- Between the ages of 15 to 24
- Be available for the whole summer
- Identity as Indigenous – Asset: Treaty 3
Please forward resume, cover letter, and 3 references 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.org
*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