Youth Advocate Lived – Part Time

Permanent Part Time - Unionized

Compass is a non-profit organization based in Sudbury Ontario that provides mental health and developmental services for children, youth, and families. Most programs serve individuals up to age 18, with select services available to older youth and young adults. Supports range from short-term counselling to ongoing therapy, psychological assessment, and diagnostic services. Compass is also the lead agency responsible for providing live-in treatment services for youth who need temporary residential support during significant life transitions.

The Youth Wellness Hub, is another program offered though Compass, you can learn more at

In partnership with Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Compass is launching Family Navigation Project (FNP) in Sudbury-Manitoulin, a navigation service providing expert guidance to youth ages 11 to 29 experiencing mental health and/or substance-use concerns and their families. Learn more about Sunnybrook’s Family Navigation Project here https://

Reporting to Client Services Manager, the Youth Advocate with Lived Experience (YAL) plays a vital role within the Family Navigation Project (FNP) by drawing on their own lived experience as a youth (up to age 29) with mental health and/or addictions concerns, along with the values of peer support, to best support youth clients in navigating and accessing services.

This is a peer-support role, not a clinical role. Peer support is a non-clinical, relationship-based role that draws on lived experience to offer emotional support, validation, hope, and practical insight. We will provide training, mentorship, and ongoing support to help you share your lived experience in a way that protects your well-being and supports youth.

In this role, you will use your lived experience in a safe, intentional, and professional way, to help youth feel less alone, and support them in learning how to navigate the system and advocate for themselves. You will also bring youth voice into program decisions and youth-focused projects.

• Provide ongoing peer support to youth in collaboration with the Family Navigator, drawing on lived experience to support, empower, educate, and assist youth in navigating the mental health and addiction system.
• Provide information about FNP, and the nature of services for youth struggling with mental health and addiction concerns.
• Provide information to youth who are engaged in navigation on individual advocacy, self-help, recovery/wellness, and prevention to enhance well-being and resilience.
• Participate in team meetings to provide insight regarding the lived experience of youth accessing mental health and addiction services.
• Maintain regular communication with the Family Navigator to share relevant updates and support coordinated service delivery.
• Keep the client information system up to date, including timely and documentation
• Help develop and distribute community-based outreach materials and activities developed by FNP for youth, families, and service providers.
• Participate in external community meetings and partnership activities, representing the FNP youth perspective and lived-experience voice.
• Represent FNP’s lived experience perspective at mental health and addiction events (i.e. FNP annual virtual conferences, booths, and community events).
• Participate in training programs, workshops, conferences, webinars, and other professional development activities to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Advocate for youth-friendly and youth-focused mental health and/or addictions navigation and service as a lived experience representative.

• Proficiency in a computerized environment, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and…