Relief Shelter Support Worker DAV

Employment Type: Relief
Position Status: Vacant
Work Hours: Varied as needed ( Overnight shifts may be required)
Salary: $30.15 per hour (L5)
Location: 348 Davenport Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1K6 Final date to receive applications: Monday, September 28, 2026

Join YWCA Toronto, where intersectional feminism, community voices, and social justice drive lasting change. We welcome women and gender diverse people of all identities into a workplace rooted in equity, collaboration, and inclusion

The Relief Shelter Support Worker at YWCA Davenport will support the permanent team and contribute to providing meaningful and relevant services within a theoretical feminist framework that includes a working knowledge of the dynamics and effects of trauma and oppression. The worker acts as a resource to staff and clients and supports the provision of services which includes crisis management and de-escalation, conducting intakes, supporting daily operations and ensuring the safety of the shelter and participants living on-site.

ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – YWCA DAVENPORT
YWCA Davenport provides up to 80 emergency shelter beds to young women and gender-diverse people (16 – 24 years of age) and adult women and gender-diverse people (25 and older) and is staffed 24 hours a day. This pet friendly shelter is funded by the City of Toronto and adheres to Toronto Shelter Standards.

• Applies knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of abuse and homelessness to develop and implement effective support strategies
• Uses mediation and counselling skills to maintain a co-operative, supportive and productive shelter environment
• Negotiates supportive and flexible strategies to assist residents with mental health issues to access the support within the shelter and in the community and uses a harm reduction lens and supports participants to incorporate safe use strategies .
• Provides informal support to residents and assists in problem solving when necessary

• Provides supportive information to clients regarding their housing options
• Advocates with landlords and housing providers on behalf of client
• Any other duties as required

• In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW) (Cases for Equivalency will be considered)
• An analytical framework that identifies clients' relation to social systems and the demonstrated practical application of this framework
• Completion of workshops and courses pertaining to mental illness, trauma, harm reduction, crisis de-escalation and anti-oppressive practice
• 1 to 3 years' experience in counselling and group work focused on clients at risk and/or homeless women
• Completion of Toronto Hostels Training Certificate (T.H.T.C.) or equivalent
• Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction principles and practice
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources and supports focused on mental health and group support
• In-depth knowledge of the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma within an anti-oppression framework
• Demonstrated experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of workshops and groups
• Experience delivering culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, e-mail and the Internet
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health, substance use/addictions, advocacy, refugee and Immigration issues and homelessness
• Life Skills Certificate an asset
• Knowledge of a second language and/or culture would be an asset

Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. These positions are not within the Bargaining Unit.
Please indicate on your cover letter if you are a YWCA Toronto Employee. For YWCA Toronto Employees, this position is not secondable

Posting Date: September 16, 2026