Family and Natural Supports Counsellor; Youth Reconnect

Requisition Number: CSD-

Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada’s largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk, we offer the widest range of services to hundreds of young people every day. Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people over 40 years and provides 24/7 crisis shelter, transitional housing, and ongoing community support.

Youth Reconnect is an ‘upstream’ homelessness prevention initiative. The goal is to help young people stay engaged in school by helping to stabilize their living situation, either by addressing issues at home that create homelessness risk or by connecting them to community housing and support. The program serves 12‑18 year olds, engaged in school and at risk of homelessness.

As part of the Youth Reconnect program team, the Family and Natural Supports Counsellor provides family and individual counselling, coaching, and skills building to youth and their identified family members. The goal of this position is to help mitigate the risk of homelessness by strengthening relationships with youths’ immediate, extended and chosen family.

The position reports to the Supervisor, Prevention Initiatives and is fully permanent and full‑time.

• Engage 12‑18 year old youth and their families/natural supports referred by schools, child welfare agencies and community partners.
• Develop trusting therapeutic relationships with youth and identified family members to address goals.
• Provide family and individual counselling, coaching and skill building to improve relationships, mitigate risk factors, and resolve conflict.
• Deliver services in locations convenient to youth and families, such as schools, homes or community settings.
• Collaborate with Youth Reconnect Workers to link youth and families to specialized services (financial support, housing programs, mental health, addictions).
• Facilitate group‑based activities, workshops and presentations as required.
• Work with stakeholders and partners to promote this new specialised youth service.
• Contribute to analysis and evaluation of the program.
• Maintain all required documentation, including client files, case notes, assessments and evaluation tools.

• BSW, MSW or a degree in a counselling‑related field, or equivalent education and experience.
• Registered or eligible for registration with the College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) or The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
• At least 3 years' experience working with youth and/or families in a counselling role.
• Sound understanding of family systems theory, family dynamics, adolescent development and attachment theory.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a trauma‑informed, harm‑reduction approach and an anti‑oppression, culturally competent perspective.
• Understanding of youth homelessness, Anti‑Black Racism, LGBTQ2S identities, mental health, substance use disorders, developmental and learning disabilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work independently.
• Knowledge of community resources and systems relevant to youth at risk of homelessness.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings.
• Valid driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle (asset).

• Meaningful work.
• Competitive compensation.
• Benefits such as Health, Dental, Vision, Personal Days, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.
• Employee perks including discounts on gym membership, city bike rentals, auto and home insurance.

At Covenant House Toronto we believe in a workplace culture of inclusion that is welcoming, respectful and safe for all staff. It is critical to our success to eliminate barriers and promote the inclusion of equity groups. Equity groups include but may not be limited to Indigenous persons, racialized people, gender diverse people, 2

SLGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Covenant House Policy on Accommodation, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the recruitment process.