WORKING WITH VULNERABLE YOUTH IS MORE THAN JUST A JOB; IT’S A CALLING!

You thrive in an environment that supports and empowers you to do what it takes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
At Durham Youth Services (DYS), we partner with youth to achieve and maintain lasting solutions to their housing crisis. Our Housing Support Workers provide trauma-informed, client-centered case management, to a large caseload of youth transitioning from homelessness to housing.
As a Housing Support Worker your days will be challenging and rewarding. You will work closely with your clients in schools to support them in finding, securing, and maintaining safe and stable housing. You are resourceful, with a keen awareness of the supports and resources available for vulnerable youth, and you have the skills to advocate for what your clients most need. You will work in schools and with the schools, landlords, families, and natural supports (as required), mental health supports, and community resources to build and strengthen client’s attachments. You will offer information, support and direction that will empower participants to make informed decisions in the hopes of improving their quality of life.

• Work within schools, such as Durham Alternative Secondary School, to provide onsite housing support to youth in need.
• Act as a trustee for youth applying for or receiving Ontario Works, ensuring financial support is managed appropriately and in accordance with program guidelines, while advocating for the best interests of the youth
• Offer trauma-informed, client centric case management to support clients in reaching their housing goals.
• Offer crisis counselling and support connection to mental health or addiction supports as needed.
• Coordinate and facilitate access to housing to allow a client to live in their preferred community.
• Collaborate with educators and faculty, where appropriate.
• Work with vulnerable youth in receipt of financial assistance; liaise and collaborate with human service workers in the administration of financial benefits.
• Advocate on behalf of clients with landlords as needed to support clients in securing and maintaining housing.
• Coordinate the development of community-based housing plans to address client’s needs; and provide for the involvement of community resources/agencies.
• Link with school officials to ensure clients remain school attached and/or permit for re-entry.
• Link individual youth to appropriate services locally and regionally.
• Develop client support networks to decrease and/or eliminate client isolation in the community.
• Liaise between DYS and other community agencies in the community serving precariously housed youth.
• Provide case management support and follow-up for community-based housing plans and facilitate coordination of services.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of community services and resources and provide consultation to community support agencies.
• Maintain appropriate files, record and statistics needed for generating accurate and timely reports.
• Participate in ongoing education and development relevant to the position held.
• Participate in general staff meeting and Service Delivery Team meetings as required.