DATE: November 20, 2024
LOCATION: Toronto, ON – Layered Supports
COMPENSATION: $23.52/hour

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 a Relief - Residential Support Worker.
Job Summary
The Residential Support Worker provides a range of services and support to clients transitioning from homelessness to both transitional and permanent housing sites. This role supports scattered sites within the Wilkinson Homeless Initiatives Program, all within the vicinity of downtown Toronto. The staff will be assigned to a primary location with the potential to support at other sites on a semi-regular basis. The position performs a variety of functions to support the physical, social and mental well-being of clients and facilitates the overall effective operation of the residences. He/she/they will encourage members to set goals and liaise with appropriate community agencies in providing services to members. Responsible for in-house social support, referrals, life skills teaching, crisis intervention and coordinating resident and staff activities while working as part of a team. This position will also be responsible for assisting with property issues, including cleaning and coordinating repairs as necessary.
* The position may be exposed to secondhand smoke.
The Layered Supports Program provides a range of assistance and support in facilitating the consumer's transition from being homeless to having stable housing and from there to their best possible housing support level match. This program is based out of the Parkdale area and is responsible for 2 residential sites: one high support 24/7 staffed house with 18 beds, and one low support house with 13 beds. Our high support site supports folks who identify as transgender/gender-diverse and are living with mental health and/or substance use challenges. Our low support site supports folks for a transitional period to support from shelter in securing long term/permanent housing. The program is supported by residential support workers and case managers.
What You Will Do

• Building a rapport with each individual and providing coaching or mentoring to enable each in meeting the daily requirements of their housing environment and a healthy lifestyle; directly assisting with their daily living activities, particularly in the acquisition of life skills in such areas as hygiene, medication management, cooking, meal planning, cleaning, shopping and budgeting; developing strategies or establishing plans for maintaining these daily activities and other aspects of their recovery plan, for increasing their awareness of safety issues and for ensuring that residents receive adequate support in various aspects of their life; orientation of new clients; participating in intake for the program.

• Support, conduct and/or participate in group meetings, resident activities or other group activities which promote the wellbeing of the residents and the smooth operation of the house; assist client-run initiatives, preparing schedules of house activities; maintaining a general awareness of the activities or whereabouts of residents in the house, identifying issues, communicating or noting incidents for director as required; maintaining petty cash, collecting rents and intervening in issues pertaining to maintenance or property; providing cleaning or minor house maintenance as required; teaching residents the appropriate fire safety protocols and conducting regular health and safety checks;

• Maintaining a strong support network of social, family, medical and psychiatric community links and resources; providing reminders and occasionally accompanying clients on their medical, psychiatric or other appointments; assisting the client in navigating the social services and health care systems and liaising with community agencies, hospitals or significant others;

• Promote the psycho-social rehabilitation/ recovery approach, assist in harm reduction strategies, teaching conflict resolution, crisis management and problem solving on activities related to shared/community living; mediating issues or conflicts between residents, or between residents and neighbours, following-up on issues to ensure satisfactory resolution;

• Participating in the administration of the program by completing and maintaining the required records or statistics such as resident files, activity sheets, reports, etc. In accordance with established procedures; participating actively as a team member in program delivery by providing support and consultation to colleagues, identifying gaps in service and recommending solutions, participating in meetings, planning and evaluation initiatives, committees, events and activities, assist with orienting new staff, providing other related assistance as required.

What You Bring:
Must Haves

• Understanding of harm reduction, and psychosocial rehabilitation principles as acquired through a relevant degree/diploma in human services, coupled with at least two years of experience working with the client population in order to apply the theories to practical settings.
• Knowledge of the issues faced by adults with special needs and a marginalized client group which can include addictions.
• An understanding is also required of the therapeutic relationship with an ability to negotiate with clients on goals and priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and counselling skills are required to work in a team environment and to engage the clients in some highly personal areas, such as developing healthy living skills, life skills and in maintaining interpersonal relationships.
• Good crisis intervention and problem solving skills are required.
• Computer literacy sufficient to produce and maintain files, records or statistical information.
• Written skills are used in keeping records or updating logs.
• Experience in working as part of a team of professionals, and in conducting meetings or facilitating groups.
• Good analytical, time management and organizational skills to contribute to program planning and to co-ordinate and follow-up on issues or activities with clients.

Nice-to-Haves

• Understanding of cultural competency and framework
• Reflective of a multi-barriered group, as serviced by the program, a strong asset

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: December 4, 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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