Settlement Support Worker (SWIS)

at  YMCA of Northern Alberta

Join us and support the work of the YMCA of Northern Alberta, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
The Settlement Support Worker in Schools (SWIS) assist immigrants, refugees, and other eligible clients with immediate needs for settling in Canada and with ongoing integration into Canadian society. The primary focus of settlement workers in schools is to facilitate integration and settlement of newcomer families. SWIS specialize in supporting students with their transition to the education system, provide orientation, needs assessment, routine follow up, cross-cultural connection activities, and referrals. This position will focus on supporting immigrant students facing settlement/resettlement challenges and provide support with mental health and well-being, language proficiency, cultural adjustment, isolation, discrimination, finances, high school completion, and pathways to post-secondary. With support from your leaders, you will further develop your interpersonal and communications skills as we strive to approach our work with a high degree of professionalism. You will have the opportunity to work with diverse populations and work to understand and help them overcome their own unique set of challenges.
The YMCA of Northern Alberta strives to integrate our values of diversity and social inclusion in all that we do. We believe that strong leadership is created through the sharing of diverse experiences and perspectives. We actively seek candidates who embody these principles and who reflect the many dimensions of the communities we serve.

• Conducts settlement needs assessment, action planning, and provides referrals
• Provides settlement consultation (education system, transition to life in Canada, health and well-being, community resources etc.)
• Provides referrals to services, accompaniment, and short-term emotional counselling
• Works collaboratively with the settlement and school teams to support transition to school for children and youth with complex needs and multiple barriers
• Provides interpretation and translation, related to settlement issues, education and family needs.
• Provides support with school registration and enrollment.
• Aids parents in increasing their awareness of the AB education system and facilitates their involvement in school life.
• Advocate on client’s behalf as needed
• Develops and distributes linguistically and culturally appropriate information/material
• Provides orientation to school staff about settlement/newcomer issues and emerging needs
• Assists schools with establishing and maintaining contact with “hard to reach” families
• Organizes and/or facilitates settlement-related events, camps and workshops in the schools
• Organizes and delivers community connection activities, including English conversation circles
• Maintains up-to-date files and records regarding services provided to students and families
• Ensures the confidentiality of client information
• Performs related duties as assigned