Coordinator

Extend-A-Family Toronto is recruiting for a Coordinator. The position is 35 hours a week. The position is a one year contract with possibility of extension.

At Extend-A-Family, in partnership with families and community, we build a life of belonging for children and youth with developmental disabilities. We focus on their unique gifts and contributions to facilitate friendships, community connections and valued social roles. Our vision is that all people, including children and youth with developmental disabilities, have full and meaningful lives as welcomed and contributing members of their neighbourhoods and broader society.

A coordinator’s role is to help young people and their families navigate everyday opportunities to be involved in their neighbourhood school and local communities, and in relationship with other valued citizens. This is achieved by:

• Listening to the young person and their family to learn of their capacities, interests, resources, hopes, struggles and more.
• Listening and encouraging families to identify their vision for a good life with and for their young person with developmental disabilities.
• Encouraging the leadership capacities of all family members.
• Celebrating the contributions of young people with developmental disabilities.
• Sharing information, guidance, support and learning opportunities with families, both individually and in small groups.
• Creating opportunities for friendships in the community through building on shared interests, direct invitations, and/or assistance to build support networks.
• Encouraging and supporting families to promote and craft ordinary family and community social roles for all their family members.
• Introducing and exploring neighbourhood and community opportunities with family members.
• Following along relationship journeys, supporting when needed.

While this is a hybrid position, between Extend-A-Family office, home office, and community, the coordinator must be able to spend a significant amount of time connecting directly with young people and their families in family homes, community, and schools.

In order to effectively do this work the coordinator must spend the time getting to know the young person and their family and this is best done through direct in person engagement. A sincere desire to connect with young people is a requirement. The ability to work flexible hours including some evenings and the occasional weekend is required in order to accommodate youth and family schedules.

The coordinator must have the ability to travel across Toronto to meet in family homes, schools, and in community locations. A car would be an asset.

A clear Vulnerable Sector Police Reference Check and positive employment references are required.

Job Responsibilities:

• Meet with young people and their families regularly to get to know the young person’s interests and gifts
• Assist families in identifying and developing positive roles for their loved one in their community .
• Assist families in accessing appropriate community opportunities, resources, and supports.
• Facilitate groups, networks, support circles, and friendship circles.
• Communicate with families, schools, employers, and community groups in regard to support and in assisting the family to advocate.
• Foster public awareness of the gifts and contributions that people with disabilities bring to the community.
• Maintain up to date family files, always ensuring confidentiality

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• Experience spending time with youth with developmental disabilities in inclusive, non-segregated settings
• Experience in supporting young people and their families navigating issues through an inclusive, integrated, and role enhancing lens and in true partnership with families
• An understanding of the wounds that often occur for people with disabilities and their families and a desire to walk beside them through both difficult and positive times
• An understanding of Social Role Valorization (SRV) and how this is implemented to support young people develop valued roles in their communities and in relationship with others
• Experience working with parents in planning for the future
• Experience in facilitating groups
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Computer literacy including Microsoft 365 apps
• Proven experience in networking, relationship building, and in building partnerships
• Two or more years experience working in the not-for-profit sector
• An understanding of support circles and ideally experience in either facilitating or being part of a support circle
• Knowledge of Toronto and the regular community opportunities which exist is essential
• Lived experience in walking beside people with disabilities (ie. through family members or friends) is considered an asset.

Competencies and Values

• Solution oriented
• A good listener, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• A real passion for seeing young people contributing to their community and thriving in valued roles and in freely given relationships
• A desire to continuously learn. If not already completed, must be willing to attend SRV workshop within the first year of employment
• Belief in the importance of community inclusion, the power of valued roles, and a meaningful life for all
• Good time management skills and flexibility
• Cultural sensitivity
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Creative and open minded
• You have a gift in being a connector.