Indigenous Wellness Advocate

at  Threshold Housing Society

Position title: Indigenous Wellness Advocate
Job type: Part-time, 20 hours /week

Reporting to: Director of Housing & Support Services

• This position will give preference to candidates who identify as Indigenous (status, non-status, Métis and Inuit).

About us: We open doors for youth and prevent adult homelessness. We serve at-risk youth, including Indigenous youth, experiencing homelessness, aging out of care, or fleeing violence in the home. Young adults who need a place to call home and people who believe in them. We offer safe housing, community, and support to help youth make healthy choices and shift toward a brighter future.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a team-oriented Indigenous (status, non-status, Métis, and Inuit) individual to join our expanding Housing team. The Indigenous Wellness Advocate (referred to the Cultural Wellness Worker) will collaborate with the support team to develop an individualized care plan for Indigenous identifying youth. They will support Indigenous youth in accessing their cultural practices. The role will focus on directly supporting Indigenous youth, providing one on one support, connecting them to community and culture, facilitating cultural group programming, and providing specific training for staff. Travel is required to attend events, conferences, and meetings.
Your specific schedule will be determined between you and your supervisor to a total of 20 hours per week. Pay range for this position is $28 – 32.47 /hour dependent on experience and related skills, and the successful candidate can expect to enter the organization no higher than the midpoint of the compensation range. This position will be eligible to receive benefits and a pension plan.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Undergraduate degree or Diploma in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, or a related field;
• Two years related experience working with Indigenous youth
• Lived experience as a member of an Indigenous community and/or substantial cultural competencies with lived experience of engaging in and maintaining intercultural affiliations.
• Indigenous cultural safety training or equivalent lived experience. Trauma informed practice education or experience would be an asset.
• Good knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its Calls to Action, The Royal Commission on Indigenous People, The Indian Act, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• In depth knowledge of the intergenerational trauma that occurs as a result of colonization, including the impacts of the Indian Act, Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop, and other oppressive systems and structures.
• Experience working within the recovery and addictions community is an asset
• ASIST training and NVCI training

CULTURAL WELLNESS SKILLS

• Knowledge of Indigenous cultures, practices, and values; and issues affecting Indigenous peoples
• In-depth understanding of appropriate protocol with Indigenous communities and organizations
• Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous resources within the community; and ability to liaise with other nations and indigenous agencies
• Demonstrated knowledge and approach to working with at risk youth under a harm reduction principle, trauma informed and strength-based practice
• Provide a practice rooted in social justice, Indigenous and anti-oppressive approaches to working with communities, families, and individuals

SUPPORTIVE RECOVERY SKILLS

• Experience offering staff guidance and specific training regarding supporting indigenous youth
• Knowledge of mental health and behavioural issues from an Indigenous perspective of healing
• Extensive experience around working with and supporting at risk youth
• Knowledge of recovery and addiction supports and principles
• Experience working with a team to develop case plans
• An ability to meet youth where they are at and an understanding of the impacts of trauma on human development
• Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries in the workplace and to work professionally (ethically) especially regarding matters of confidentiality

• Work directly with Indigenous youth in a trauma-informed manner to develop and modify goals and support wraparound client focused case plans.
• Work with Intake Support and Case Manager regarding new Indigenous youth who enter the housing program.
• Advocate for Indigenous youth and assist them in developing self advocacy skills.
• Liaise with other agencies in the community to support youth to achieve client specific independence.
• Liaise with Indigenous nations and organizations to support youth in their goals.
• Provide specific training to THS staff regarding specific Indigenous learnings relating to supporting youth in the program.
• Facilitate weekly and monthly programming regarding cultural wellness.
• Keep abreast of all current social concerns and youth issues and attend professional development activities to remain informed regarding issues for at-risk youth as required.
• Provide immediate response and assistance in crisis situations including contacting resources appropriate to the situation.
• Additional tasks as assigned.