Peer Support Worker, Black Justice Program

Department:
Programs & Community Services

Affiliation:
Unionized Position

Reports To:

Program Manager, Black Justice Program

Location:

Tropicana Community Services - with travel across program sites in the GTA

Hours:

Part-time
Extended

Hours:

Based on program and operational needs

For more than 45 years, Tropicana Community Services (TCS) has been empowering youth, newcomers, seniors, and families throughout the Greater Toronto Area. As one of Canada’s leading Black-led and Black-serving (B3) organizations, TCS delivers a range of culturally responsive programs in education, employment, food security, youth development, and community well-being.

Our mission is to help individuals and families achieve their potential through programs that build confidence, promote self-sufficiency, and strengthen community connections.

The Peer Support Worker, Black Justice Program provides direct, relationship-based support to youth and young adults (ages 12–29) who have been involved with the criminal justice system, incarceration, or high-risk activity, including gang involvement, auto theft and jewelry theft rings, and other high-risk activity in or out of town. Working alongside the Social Worker and reporting to the Program Manager, Black Justice Program, the Peer Support Worker draws on lived experience, credibility within the community, and current knowledge of youth culture and social media trends to build trust with youth, model positive pathways, and support their reintegration into community, education, and employment.

• Build authentic, trusting relationships with youth engaged in the program, drawing on shared lived experience where applicable.
• Provide one-on-one mentorship, encouragement, and practical support to youth navigating reintegration, including accompanying youth to appointments, court dates, school, or employment activities as needed.
• Act as a positive, relatable role model, helping youth vision and work toward pathways out of gang involvement, theft rings, and other high-risk activity.
• Support youth in developing life skills, coping strategies, and goal setting related to education, employment, and community connection.
• Respond to youth in crisis or high-risk situations, escalating to the Social Worker or Program Manager as required.

• Maintain current knowledge of community dynamics, neighborhood-level youth networks, and emerging risks, including activity connected to gangs and theft rings.
• Monitor and understand relevant social media trends, platforms, and online youth culture to identify engagement opportunities and emerging risks, including online recruitment or escalation of conflict.
• Conduct outreach in the community and online to engage youth who may not otherwise access services, including youth involved in high-risk activity outside the immediate service area.
• Support the development of youth-facing communications and social media content that reflects authentic youth voice and community relevance.
• Represent the program at community events, outreach activities, and youth-facing engagements.

• Collaborate with the Social Worker to ensure a coordinated, wraparound approach to each youth's care.
• Contribute case notes, youth feedback, and engagement data to support the Project Evaluator in tracking program KPIs.
• Participate in regular supervision, team meetings, and case consultations with the Program Manager and program team.
• Bring forward emerging community trends, risks, and youth feedback to inform program planning and adaptation.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to all relevant Tropicana Community Services policies and professional boundaries.

• Understanding of the justice system, incarceration, gang involvement, or high-risk activity is required.
• Strong knowledge of community dynamics, neighborhood youth networks, and current social media trends and platforms used by youth.
• Demonstrated credibility and trust within the communities served, with an established ability to engage youth who are hesitant to access formal services.
• Peer support…