Community Support Coordinator

Overview

At More Than a Roof Housing Society (MTR), our mission is simple yet profound: bringing people home. We create spaces where individuals find shelter, belonging and community. With over 2,000 residents and growing, we seek passionate, purpose-driven individuals who share our heart for transformation. If you’re ready to make a lasting impact and help others find their way home, we invite you to join us.

We are currently seeking a Community Support Coordinator to join our team at Sunset Towers (Downtown Vancouver) in a part-time capacity. Reporting to the Director of Healthcare, the Community Support Coordinator will provide consultative social support for individuals and/or families who have been socially excluded or who are experiencing crisis by providing support that enables tenants to help themselves.

This position is an in-person role and expected to work 20 hours per week plus casual hours as needed. Exact schedule will be discussed with the hiring manager.

• Work with families and individuals, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to promote a supportive and safe community environment at a housing site
• Develop and facilitate access for tenants to social, occupational, spiritual, financial, intellectual, recreational and educational activities and programs
• Establish a positive relationship with tenants requiring social support as required
• Observe and assess tenants in their environments in close collaboration with other MTR staff, monitor for signs of crisis, unsafe conditions, behavioral, physical, and/or cognitive changes; recommend intervention when needed
• Conduct interviews with tenants (individuals and/or families) to assess and review their situation where/when social service support is required
• Work with tenants to achieve their personal development goals
• Meet regularly with tenants one-on-one or in group settings where appropriate
• Facilitate tenant-led support activities where appropriate
• Establish a peer support network within each community as required
• Assist tenants with life skills like cleaning, budgeting, etc. where appropriate
• Encourage tenant interaction and participation through community events, volunteer opportunities and the like
• Encourage compliance with house rules and assist with conflict resolution as necessary
• Offer solution-focused counseling, information and referral services to tenants and/or their families
• Serve in an advisory capacity to both tenants and MTR staff as required
• Assist individuals with medical appointments and related support duties
• Work with tenants towards permanent housing where applicable

• Research and develop links with appropriate community resources that will aid tenants
• Liaise with, and make referrals to, local support services, mental health and addiction services, as well as other relevant community services
• Liaise with VCHA staff where appropriate
• Work closely with building management to plan, co-ordinate and integrate tenants into the life and activity of the wider tenant community where intervention and support is required
• Maintain appropriate files and records and archive as required
• As required, review, establish and/or develop specific program guidelines, policies and practices
• Regularly train and mentor other MTR staff in understanding the work of social service and development
• Orient and train new social service staff as required

• Research community resources that will aid tenants in personal and/or professional growth
• Mediate disputes among tenants, with goal of helping tenants learn problem solving techniques and the ability to resolve disputes independently
• Assist tenants with life skills like cleaning, budgeting, etc. where appropriate
• Encourage tenant interaction and participation through community events, volunteer opportunities and the like
• Facilitate and support community development and tenant interaction
• Listen to specific concerns of tenants
• Work with site team to resolve property management issues that may affect tenancies and assist with mitigating potential problems
• Liaise between community and local services
• Encourage compliance with house rules and tenancy agreement terms, and deal with conflict resolution as necessary: personally if possible without jeopardizing relationship with tenants; involve the building manager when personal interaction fails; involve VCHA staff, executive director and/or the board of directors through the property manager as a final step; be on call during the week to help tenants as required
• Participate in meetings to address issues related to tenants, housing site and community. Provide recommendations on the development and improvement of processes, policies and programs

• Experience in counseling and social services
• Completion of a post-secondary education program in the field of social service or mental health
• Understanding addiction recovery and mental health support for adults, seniors, youth, children and families
• Knowledge…