Choices for Youth Inc. (CFY) is a professional service, youth-focused, non-profit, charitable organization that creates spaces and conversations, and operates programs and social enterprises to help vulnerable youth secure stable housing, employment, and education while improving health and family stability. With a focus on prevention, intervention, and support, we help youth and young families break cycles of poverty and homelessness and transition to healthy, stable, and independent lives. Upstream Canada (NL) is recruiting one (1) full-time Youth and Family Worker position. This is a contractual position until March 31, 2026 with the possibility of extension.
Upstream Canada (NL) supports communities in a prevention-focused approach to addressing youth homelessness through school-based early intervention. As an innovative initiative originating in Australia (Geelong), Upstream Canada (NL) works to prevent and eliminate youth homelessness through the coordinated efforts of schools and communities, by identifying young people at risk of homelessness and providing them and their families with a suite of supports. Upstream Canada’s (NL) Early Intervention Platform is a place-based community of schools and youth services’ model for Early Intervention with young people at risk of disengaging from school and future youth homelessness.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Youth and Family Worker (Upstream) will work in collaboration with the Program Coordinator and Team Lead to provide direct support to youth and families who face barriers in school and home. The Youth & Family Worker will assist young people and their families with attaining the skills needed for maintaining school engagement and safe, stable housing.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree or diploma in Social Work, Psychology, or another related Human Services field
• Minimum 2-years experience working with youth and families
• Knowledge of community resources and supports for youth and families
• In-depth knowledge of and experience in such areas as vulnerable youth, housing/homelessness, mental health and substance use, trauma, conflict resolution and crisis intervention
• In-depth knowledge of local community resources and the ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with agencies and systems
• Ability to speak a second language is an asset
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse cultures, multicultural populations, newcomers, immigrants, new Canadians and/or marginalized groups
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Use of own vehicle is required
• Satisfactory record of Conduct and Vulnerable Sector Check, ASIST training, and current First Aid/CPR are required

HOW TO APPLY

Choices for Youth appreciates all applications; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please submit your cover letter and resume, explaining how you meet the criteria to the recipients below, using YFWU-0825 in the subject line.
Recruitment Lead
Recruitment@choicesforyouth.ca
Melissa Power, Upstream Program Coordinator mpower@choicesforyouth.ca
Choices for Youth (CFY) strives towards a culture of inclusion and empowerment, one where there’s a sense of belonging and safety while prioritizing diversity across the organization, including in its Board of Directors composition, employment practices, staff, policies, programming, and services. CFY values lived and living experience and invites everyone interested to apply for available opportunities. CFY actively seeks applications from Indigenous Peoples; members of Black, racialized, and other equity-seeking and/or religious, cultural, and other communities; members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community; people with disabilities; and people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds. Should you require support or accommodation(s) to better enable your ability to participate in the employment or recruitment process, please let us know at any point. This information will be kept confidential.
To view all current job postings, please visit http://www.choicesforyouth.ca/join-cfy.

• Ability to work with vulnerable youth and families from client-centered, trauma informed, harm reduction, and strengths-based approaches
• Engage with individual youth from a family-centered approach
• Respect and work within the cultural context of the family
• Facilitate support meetings involving youth, families, school staff and community partners.
• Provide families with necessary tools, education and skills for effective relationship building
• Provide support and interventions in the family home, at school or in the community as necessary
• Advocate and liaise with government programs, community services and agencies on behalf of youth and their families
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients
• Collect related program statistics and data in an efficient manner
• Ensure documentation of relevant client information that is in accordance with CFY’s policy on the security and maintenance of client information
• Ability to work both as part of a team as well as independently while achieving the overall goals of the program
• Support the coordination and implementation of the projects screening tool across participating schools
• Provide intake and assessment for the project within the school setting
• Maintain regular communication and consultation with the Upstream team regarding the needs and interventions of individuals and families