Shelter Support Worker Shelter Support Worker

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Work Hours: 35 hours per week, Friday to Tuesday 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm

(on -call responsibilities; may be required to work occasional overnights)

Salary: $59,399 (L7) per annum, plus comprehensive benefits

Location: 348 Davenport Road Toronto, ON, M5R 1K6

Internal Application Deadline: Monday, December 29, 2025 External Application Deadline : Wednesday, December 31, 2025

JOIN OUR TEAM

YWCA Toronto strives to uphold anti-discrimination practices and anti-oppression principles to ensure that the rights of all individuals are respected and protected. We work to promote a climate that is welcoming of all women and individuals who identify as Trans, intersex, non-binary, agender, and/or Two-Spirit. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people from all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.

The Shelter Support Worker works within a collaborative team to provide meaningful and relevant services within a theoretical feminist framework that includes a working knowledge of the dynamics and effects of trauma and oppression. They act as a resource to staff and clients and is responsible for providing a full range of services which includes crisis counselling, case management and the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops. The position shares in the responsibility of the overall health and safety of the building and will work in an open shelter/work environment without a dedicated office space.

ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – YWCA DAVENPORT

YWCA Davenport provides up to 80 emergency shelter beds to young women and gender diverse people (16 – 24 years of age) and adult women and gender diverse people (25 and older) and is staffed 24 hours a day. This pet friendly shelter is funded by the City of Toronto and adheres to Toronto Shelter Standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIES

Applies knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of woman and gender diverse people abuse and homelessness to develop and implement effective support strategies

Provides daily support services to residents (e.g. tokens, providing personal hygiene items and toiletries, first aid, long-distance calls and assists with completion of forms and statements);

Exercises precautions to ensure the safety of residents and completes risk assessments and safety plans;

Uses mediation and counselling skills to maintain a co-operative, supportive and productive shelter environment;

Provides information and referrals and advocates for clients facing issues of homelessness and trauma;

Negotiates supportive and flexible strategies to assist residents with mental health issues to access the support within the shelter and in the community;

Negotiates treatment plans with residents that focus on harm reduction;

Assists clients in applying for priority, RGI, rent supplement, supportive housing, group homes and any other relevant housing programs and advocates on their behalf;

Develops, implements and evaluates workshops and groups that address clients’ mental health issues and experience of trauma using interactive techniques (i.e. expressive art techniques) and collaborates with other YWCA programs;

Maintains, records, compiles program statistics and prepares reports and correspondence.

QUALIFICATIONS

• In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW); (Cases for Equivalency will be considered);
• An analytical framework that identifies clients' relation to social systems and the demonstrated practical application of this framework;
• Completion of workshops and courses pertaining to mental illness, trauma, harm reduction, crisis de-escalation and anti-oppressive practice;
• 3-5 years’ experience in counselling and group work focused on clients at risk and/or homeless women;
• Completion of Toronto Hostel’s Training Certificate (T.H.T.C.) or equivalent;
• Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction principles and practice;
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources and supports focused on mental health and group support;
• In-depth knowledge of the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma within an anti-oppression framework;
• Demonstrated experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of workshops and groups;
• Experience delivering culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health, substance use/addictions, advocacy, refugee and immigration issues and homelessness;
• Life Skills Certificate an asset;
• A certificate in trauma counselling would be an asset;
• Knowledge of a second language and/or culture would be an asset.

What we offer:

Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage

Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit

Multi-Sector Pension Plan: Employer’s contribution of 5.75% and Employee Contribution of 3.25%

Time off: Starts with 20 Vacation Days, 1.5 Days Per Month Sick Leave, 12 Paid Holidays, Health Promotional Days and 4 Float Days

Other Benefits: Child Care Benefits, Maternity/Parental Leave Supplementary Employment Benefits, Educational/Sabbatical Leave, and Financial Assistance for Professional Development

Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. This position is within the Bargaining Unit. Please indicate on your cover letter if you are a YWCA Toronto Employee. For YWCA Toronto Employees, this position is secondable

Posting Date: December 18, 2025