Victim Services Toronto (VST) provides trauma-informed support and advocacy in the moment for any person in Toronto who has experienced crime or sudden tragedy. We also work to prevent violence through community engagement.
VST is an equal opportunity employer that values the importance of antiracism work and is committed to integrating antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout VST operations, policies, culture, and hiring practices. We are dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Persons identifying as visible minorities, indigenous, with disabilities, of any sexual orientation, of any gender identity, or from any other equity-deserving group strongly are encouraged to apply. To read VST’s full equity statement, please refer to: https://www.victimservicestoronto.com/anti-oppressive-equity-statement

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of youth? Victim Services Toronto (VST) is looking for a dynamic Child and Youth Engagement and Prevention Facilitator to champion critical programming that equips young people with vital skills for safety, well-being, and healthy relationships.
This full-time, one-year contract role is at the heart of VST’s mission. You’ll primarily lead and coordinate our T.E.A.R.™ Program, focusing on engaging educational workshops and empowering youth leadership initiatives. You’ll be instrumental in supporting and coordinating youth leadership programs. This means responding to community and school requests and ensuring our content is current, impactful, and tailored to diverse learning styles and developmental levels.
A deep and nuanced understanding of systemic racism, discrimination, and various forms of oppression is fundamental to this role. You will leverage this critical awareness to not only inform but also actively shape the development and delivery of equitable, culturally safe, and inclusive programs that recognize how intersecting factors influence youth’s experiences with and understanding of abuse and unhealthy relationships. Building on this, comprehensive knowledge of gender-based violence (GBV), consent education, and healthy relationship frameworks is essential. You’ll integrate this understanding to deliver all your work through a trauma-informed lens, providing sensitive and effective support that empowers youth to recognize, respond to, and ultimately reduce the risk of GBV. This involves arming them with the essential skills and knowledge to foster and maintain healthy relationships, promote respectful communication, and challenge harmful norms.
We’re seeking an aspiring or recently graduated teacher, or someone with equivalent experience in education or youth programming. The ideal candidate will be comfortable delivering impactful workshops on topics like cyber violence, healthy relationships, and human trafficking to Grade 7-12 students. While the primary focus is on youth, you’ll also have the opportunity to work with young children, utilizing experiential learning and play-based pedagogy. You’ll report to the Director of Community Engagement, EDI and Policy, playing a vital role in enhancing public safety and supporting vulnerable populations across Toronto.
The standard working hours are Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, though flexibility will be needed for occasional evenings or weekends to meet program and agency needs.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• A relevant degree or diploma with a specialization in fields such as Early Childhood Education, Education, Social Work, Social Services, Human Services, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and lived experience
• A minimum of 2 years of direct facilitation experience working with diverse groups of children and/or youth
• Strong facilitation and public speaking skills, comfortable presenting on sensitive topics like sexual violence, human trafficking, and consent, while effectively adapting content for various age groups and audiences
• Demonstrated comfort and experience effectively delivering workshops and engaging both children (Grades 1-4) and youth (Grades 7-12)
• Proven ability to develop age-appropriate, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive educational content tailored for diverse learning styles and varying developmental levels
• Expertise in utilizing various learning modalities (e.g., visual, auditory, kinesthetic, read/write) and approaches such as experiential learning and play-based pedagogy to engage audiences effectively
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), and design tools like Canva
• Capable of managing administrative tasks related to program delivery, including engaging with school administrative staff and independently booking presentations
• Ability to appropriately handle student disclosures and make necessary referrals in a sensitive, trauma-informed manner
• Demonstrated creativity in designing and delivering engaging presentations and activities, including the use of props and interactive methods
• A highly collaborative mindset with a proven ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment and build strong relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including schools, community partners, volunteers, and VST staff
• A deep understanding of systemic racism, discrimination, and various forms of oppression, and the proven ability to apply this knowledge to develop and deliver equitable, culturally safe, and inclusive programs for children and youth
• Comprehensive knowledge of gender-based violence (GBV), consent education, and healthy relationship frameworks, coupled with a proven ability to integrate anti-oppressive, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed approaches into all program aspects
• Willingness to work flexible hours to meet program and agency needs, which may include occasional evenings or weekends
• Comfortable traveling across Toronto (including Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough) for workshops and outreach; ability to navigate the city efficiently
• Skilled in data management and record-keeping, with the ability to track program outputs and key performance indicators to inform program effectiveness and reporting

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Successful completion of a Toronto Police Service (TPS) Vulnerable Sector Check

AGENCY AND TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively participate in VST events and initiatives.
• Participate in community outreach efforts, community booths, relevant committees, and training sessions.
• Comply with all agency and Toronto Police Service policies and procedures.
• Provide leadership through example, embodying VST’s values.
• Report feedback from volunteers, staff, and community partners to the Director of Community Engagement, EDI and Policy.
• Attend monthly team meetings, staff meetings, and individual supervision meetings.
• Report important events or conflicts to the Director of Community Engagement, EDI and Policy in a timely manner.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Director of Community Engagement, EDI and Policy.