DATE: September 26th, 2024
LOCATION: Toronto, ON -TAY-Specialized Services
COMPENSATION: $23.52 Hourly Rate

LOFT Community Services is a unique and dynamic charitable organization that supports people living with complicated issues such as mental and physical health challenges, substance use challenges, poverty and homelessness. Serving approximately 19,633 annually and providing 1,861 units of supportive housing last year, LOFT is one of Ontario's largest mental health service providers of its kind. LOFT is also recognized as a Nonprofit Employer of Choice™ Award (NEOC) recipient.
To help fulfill its mission, LOFT is hiring for a Relief - Peer Support Worker
Job Summary
The Peer Support Worker position is open to those whom have lived experience with mental health and/or addiction and have gone through a process of recovery. The peer mentor is responsible to use their lived experience to assist others in the recovery process and to navigate the mental health and addiction systems. This would be accomplished through a variety of activities such as group facilitation, individual support with appointments and structured positive relationship building.
The Peer Support Worker (relief) supports the collaboration between LOFT, Michael Garron Hospital, The Neighborhood Organization (TNO) and agency partners at the Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub. The Peer Support Worker role will work in collaboration with the Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub Ontario (YWHO) at East York Town Centre at 45 Overlea Blvd and will also work at the TAY hub, 721 Bloor Street West location. This role focuses on providing individual and group peer support to youth ages 15-25 years. The Peer Support Worker will have a unique role collaborating with the community and other health and social service providers. Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) aims to bring integrated low barrier services to youth (12-25) and their families/caregivers. YWHO is improving Ontario's mental health and addiction landscape for youth and their families by providing rapid access to mental health and substance use services as well as clear referral pathways to interdisciplinary team and community supports.
What You Will Do:
To accompany clients to various appointments in the community.

• Provide 1:1 peer support to youth such as appointment support/accompaniment, participation in wellness-focused and recreational activities, and search for appropriate community resources
• Facilitate and co-facilitate groups, assist social drop-ins and peer support groups at various locations
• Support the personal journey of each client by building rapport and helping with goal setting, problem solving and emotional support
• Positive role model and encouragement of others in the recovery process
• Guide clients to make choices that promote safety, wellness and recovery
• Complete needed documentation and note-taking, including supporting the implementation of measurement-based care practices
• Regularly attend supervision with manager or senior staff, group/team meetings, Peer Community of Practice and training sessions
• Assist with office care/operations, and provide helpful information to youth and guests who visit the TAY hub
• Help prepare and organize group spaces, including light cleaning and trash removal
• Work in collaboration with other program staff and community partners.
• Help ensure that clients are connecting with caseworkers and caseworkers with clients.
• Contribute to program development and implementation.
• Positively contribute to the TAY program and Toronto East YWHO program by providing back-up support for other staff and by engaging in collaborative team activities.

What You Bring
Must Haves

• Completion of peer training and relevant trainings such as Peer Recovery Education Program (PREP), Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Mental Health First Aid, etc
• Experience/knowledge of mental health/ addictions systems.
• Solid working knowledge of recovery principles.
• Knowledge of local community mental health services including formal and informal supports.
• Understanding of harm reduction, cultural competency and anti-oppression framework
• Knowledge of relevant mental health legislation such as the Personal Health Information Protection Act
• Some experience in peer support counselling, ability to draw upon wellness and recovery in providing intentional peer support
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong ability to work independently and on a team.
• Enthusiastic problem solver, positive conflict resolution and goal setting practices.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Flexible availability: weekend work and some evenings may be required with advanced notice.

Note: Walk up and down stairs, physically able to assist client with daily living activities, 10%-20% travel to different locations with transit and/or own vehicle, outdoor travel, lifting objects up to 50 lbs.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

LOFT Community Services is a values-driven organization with a deep belief that each person has the ability to grow and change. We value compassion, collaboration, and community delivered with dignity, innovation, and excellence. LOFT's vision is that together, we can all live successfully in our community. Our client population reflects Ontario's diverse community and it is LOFT's goal to build a workforce who also reflects that diversity. LOFT believes there are many ways to develop skills and build experience and expertise. So even if you don't “tick all the boxes” but think you'd thrive in this role, you are encouraged to apply.
Note: A satisfactory vulnerable sector check (VSC) is also required.
CLOSING DATE: October 10th, 2024

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LOFT Community Services is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment and dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve. LOFT is committed to making employment opportunities accessible in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Requested accommodation will be provided in all parts of the application and hiring process by contacting [email protected] or (416) 979-1994.

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