Huronia Transition Homes

Harm Reduction Counselor

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Huronia Transition Homes is a multi-site, multi-program organization operating throughout Simcoe County, providing shelter, support, education and advocacy to women and their children who have experienced abuse. We work to end all violence against all women. We are committed to providing equitable services based in intersectional feminism and harm reduction philosophies.

La Maison Rosewood Shelter (a program of Huronia Transition Homes) is currently seeking a dynamic individual to join our team for a full-time permanent Harm Reduction Counselor. The Harm Reduction Counselor will deliver trauma-informed, strength-based support in the form of short-term counselling, group facilitation and service navigation to women engaged in services at La Maison Rosewood and Aquarius House.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide individual, supportive counselling to strengthen women's understanding of the impacts of gender-based violence inclusive of sexual abuse and to contextualize and normalize their experiences;

• Support women who have survived violence with coping mechanisms and trauma symptoms, inclusive of mental health and addiction

• Engage in therapeutic modalities to support woman in gaining insight and understanding about the impacts of trauma;

• Assist women in developing personal goals and safety plans, and empower them to make informed decisions regarding their mental health and well-being;

• Provide information and education regarding the impacts of trauma and gender-based violence, teach coping skills to manage stress, anxiety, emotional triggers;
• Coordinate the agency's harm reduction program, including the ordering, tracking and reporting of harm reduction supplies;
• Promote positive and supportive attitudes toward women who are struggling with mental health and addictions;

• Connect women in service to external resources, such as mental health providers, treatment programs, detox, counselling, and specialists;

• Provide transportation and accompaniment to appointments as necessary;

• Advocate on behalf of women, at their request, in accessing relevant community resources, support women to develop self-advocacy skills;

• Promote positive and supportive attitudes toward women who are struggling with mental health and addictions;
• Be a strong advocate for harm reduction programming in community;
• Collaborate with other culturally specific mental health, addictions and wellness programs; participate in community outreach activities;

• Maintain relevant program data, as required, and report accordingly;
• Work collaboratively as a team member in the identification, development and recommendations of changes for improved service delivery;
• Participate in applicable training, supervision and team meetings;

• Work from an intersectional feminism and harm reduction approach;
• Support with overall function of La Maison Rosewood and Aquarius House as needed;
• Answer and respond to the crisis line;

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree/diploma in a relevant discipline (Mental Health & Addictions, BSW/MSW) and a minimum of 3 to 5 years relevant work experience.
• Registration with CRPO or equivalent
• Knowledge of issues and complexities that exist within the violence against women framework;
• Strong counselling and assessment skills;
• Broad knowledge of dual diagnosis & concurrent disorders as well as alternative models and approaches to mental health treatment;
• An understanding of how best to access local social services, in particular those that are related to mental health and addictions;

• An understanding of, and an ability to work with, diverse women including women from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to provide information, support, practical assistance, safety planning, resources, referrals and advocacy for women as needed;
• Knowledge of anti-racist/anti-oppressive harm reduction practices and application, and intersectional feminist analysis;
• Passion for community-based outreach and engagement;
• A welcoming, open-minded, empathetic, and non-judgmental approach;
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills including collaborative relationship building, conflict resolution, and de-escalation;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;

• Ability to work independently and participate as a team member;
• Flexibility and willingness to travel within Simcoe County, valid driver's license, and reliable vehicle.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and an ability to learn to operate the organization's database;
• Francophone /bilingual preferred

Working Conditions/Requirements

• Office environment but may include non-standard workplaces
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekend and overtime/flex hours to accommodate position activities and requirements
• Reliable vehicle, valid driver's license and insurance
• Ability to sit or stand for varying periods of time

In keeping with our commitment to represent all our communities, Indigenous women, Francophone women, queer-identified, women living with disability, and racialized women are especially encouraged to apply.

Please submit your up-to-date résumé, as well as a cover letter highlighting your experience to:

Veronica Pena

P.O. Box 54

Midland, ON L4R 4K6

Fax: 705-526-0343

Closing date: October 4th, 2024