Peer Support Worker

Peer Support Worker
Residents Department
Full-Time, Permanent

Level 4

Requisition Number: RES
- 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.

More than a place to stay, we provide life-changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth’s immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals. We offer 24/7 crisis shelter transitional housing options on-site and, in the community, health and well-being support, training and skill development, and ongoing care once youth move into the community.

For over 40 years, Covenant House has been dedicated to its mission of serving youth on the street and to protect and safeguard all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love. Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people

Purpose
The Peer Support Workers draw upon their lived expertise to engage and support youth accessing Residential Services Programs at Covenant House Toronto. Through relationship-building, mentorship, life skills development, resource navigation, and the sharing of lived expertise, the Peer Support Worker helps youth build connections and work towards their goals.

Working from a harm reduction, trauma informed, anti-oppressive, and youth- centered framework, the Peer Support Worker contributes to a safe and inclusive environment while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. The role also supports organizational learning by bringing the perspective of lived expertise into service delivery, program development, and quality improvement initiatives

Responsibilities
Youth Engagement

Engage with youth across all Residential Services programs, including Winter Respite, Shelter, Thrive, Madison House,and Rights of Passage.

Buildtrusting relationships with youth through intentional and appropriate use oflived expertise.

Identify relevant community resources and support youth in accessing services.

Advocate alongside youth to help them navigatesystems and access services.

Life Skills and Activities

Utilize lived expertise to support youth in identifying strengths, exploring opportunities, and working toward their goals.

Organize, facilitate, and supervise like skillsworkshops and activities.

Encourage youth participation in life skillsprogramming.

Maintain accurate records of like skillsprogramming, participation, and attendance.

Support youth in navigating community supports and resources.

Peer Support

Provide one-to-one peer support through mentorship, goal setting, and resource navigation.

Maintain professional boundaries while fosteringauthentic and supportive relationships with youth

Documentation and Administration

Document youth interactions in ETO.

Complete all required documentation, reports,and case notes.

Participate in trainings, team meetings, and professional development.

Collaborate with program teams and community partners.

Participate in program development and quality improvement initiatives

Qualifications

High school Diploma and/or equivalent

Completion of Peer Support training is an asset

Lived expertise related tohomeless, housing instability, mental health challenges, substance use orother relevant experiences

Demonstrated ability touse lived expertise professionally.

Knowledge of community resources, housing supports, mental health services, and substance useservices.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to work from ananti-racist, anti-oppressive, harm reduction, and trauma-informedframework.

First Aid, CPR, UMAB andbasic computer skills (ETO, SMIS, Word, Excel, etc.) an asset

Maintains strict confidentiality, except where disclosure…