Child & Youth Lead, Crisis Shelter

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Reporting to the Manager, the Child & Youth Lead provides day‑to‑day oversight for the licensed Child Support program, including the After School Program and youth programming within the Crisis Shelter and YW’s affordable housing, Taylor Family Home. This role ensures that children and youth who have experienced violence, instability and trauma receive coordinated support that strengthens resilience, fosters safety, and promotes healthy development.

This role supports YW’s holistic and innovative model of shelter care, ensuring integrated pathways of support for children and youth during and after their shelter stay, and strengthening outcomes across the shelter and housing program continuum.

This full‑time position typically works Monday to Friday, 3‑day shifts from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 2‑evening shifts from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and one weekend day per month. This position is based on site at the YW Crisis Shelter and requires flexibility to respond to emergent situations or staff coverage needs.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Truly rewarding work; contribute to lasting, positive change for our community
• A supportive team environment and opportunities for professional development
• Fitness and childcare facilities

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Provide ongoing team guidance and operational oversight for the licensed child support program, including the after‑school program, ensuring compliance with licensing standards, safety protocols, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Oversee staffing schedules, daily operations, and ratios to ensure consistent, safe, and regulatory‑compliant service delivery.
• Deliver and model trauma‑informed, culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriate care for children and youth aged 0 – 17.
• Ensure daily programming meets emotional, social, developmental and recreational needs while allowing space for fun, creativity, and age‑appropriate play.
• Deliver child support services as needed to support licensing requirements and assist with youth programming facilitation.
• Maintain strong communication with mothers/caregivers regarding their child’s progress, needs, safety considerations, and available supports.
• Partner closely with the Outreach Child and Youth Case Managers to coordinate continuity of care for children and youth transitioning from the shelter to community or housing programs.
• Act as a liaison between child support and youth programming and other internal roles and departments to promote seamless communication and service delivery.
• Represent the organization, when requested, at sector meetings, external events or initiatives.

• In collaboration with the Manager, design, implement and evaluate comprehensive programming for children and youth in shelter and affordable housing.
• Develop and deliver structured group programs, recreational activities, school‑support components, cultural activities and skill‑building opportunities that promote resilience, belonging and emotional regulation.
• Co‑create individualized plans or support for children and youth with more complex needs in consultation with shelter staff, outreach case managers, partners and caregivers.
• Incorporate youth voices into program planning to ensure services are relevant, meaningful, and empowering.
• Embed principles of equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and anti‑oppression throughout programing.

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership, coaching, mentoring and guidance to team members to support high‑quality, trauma‑informed programming.
• Model best practices in trauma‑informed care, emotional attunement, youth engagement, and culturally responsive approaches.
• Lead team meetings, reflective practice sessions, and support ongoing professional learning opportunities.
• Act as the primary liaison between the Manager and child and youth staff, ensuring timely communication, follow‑up and issue resolution.

• Maintain high‑quality documentation, records, attendance logs, licensing reports, and program evaluations.
• Track program metrics, outcomes, and participation for reporting to…