Cultural & Program Coordinator

ABOUT

Safe at Home Society
The Safe at Home Society (SAHS) is a collaborative non-government organization dedicated to ending and preventing homelessness in the Yukon. We bring together various stakeholders, including service agencies, government partners, landlords, and those with lived/living experiences of homelessness to facilitate connections between people and the housing supports that they need. With initiatives like the transformation of a former hotel into supportive housing, the operation of the By-Name List, and overseeing the Coordinated Housing Access Team, the society is actively involved in advocacy and practical solutions for homelessness across the territory.

Supportive Housing Program
The program at 5131 5th Avenue offers safe and centralized housing and to support up to 18 individuals with a history of homelessness to gain housing stability and greater wellness. The program is grounded in harm reduction and housing first principles, using a trauma-informed approach to supports and services provided onsite.

Job Overview
The Program Coordinator provides community and life skills support to up to 18 residents at 5131 Fifth Avenue. This role involves, relationship building, goal setting alongside residents, and mentoring in the areas of food security, health and wellness, room cleanliness, and cultural connections. The Program Coordinator takes direction from residents, offering access to relevant community resources and supports.

Reports to: This position reports to and receives direction from the 5131 Supervisor.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Core Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain relationships with residents who have a history of homelessness using a client centered housing first and harm reduction approach.
• Develop positive trauma informed relationships with individuals who may have mental health, physical health and/or substance use challenges in their lives.
• Develop, design, facilitate, promote, and oversee culturally relevant and engaging programming for residents, on and off site.
• Contact RCMP, Paramedics, and other emergency or critical care responders as needed.
• Mandatory participation in team meetings and make recommendations to the Supervisor regarding service delivery gaps reflective of resident support needs.
• Other duties and responsibilities as required as directed by the 5131 Supervisor.

Responsibilities to Program Residents

• Developing, implementing, and overseeing an onsite resident employment/volunteer program.
• Designing positive life skill development programming for residents that supports their self-awareness and personal wellness.
• Support access to basic nutrition and food programming internally and with external food programs and organizations.
• Organize regular social events and activities that bring residents together and promote resident engagement and interaction.
• Encourage residents to actively engage in the community by participating in decision-making processes and contributing to community projects.
• Assist in the development of and provide ongoing guidance for a peer-led onsite support program.
• Organize and schedule workshops lead by external community supports, community members and or groups
• Organizing and shopping for program supplies.
• When required, provide crisis management and intervention by responding to emergency situations within the building through conflict-resolution, guest management, suicide prevention, and de-escalation techniques.
• Assist Resident Support and Team Lead Workers in maintaining building security by following and enforcing the buildings safety and security procedures.
• Maintain a high standard of cleanliness, mitigating pest infestations and or infectious diseases.
• Light cleaning duties of kitchen area and outdoor gardening area.
• Coordinate with frontline staff to support the resident’s continuation of care; ensuring the success of, and aid in program development.

Reporting, Evaluating & Monitoring

• Maintain detailed and objective documentation, as well as accurate data collection for communications and reporting purposes.
• Monitor and maintain good relationships with neighbours, including safety and cleanliness issues around the vicinity of the building.
• Participate in succession planning and adhere to organizational IT and
  privacy standards and procedures (i.e. storage, records retention,
  passwords etc).

Education & Experience

• Completed post-secondary education in social services, therapeutic recreation, or related field and a minimum 2-year work experience, volunteer, or lived experience related to homelessness, outreach, housing, and supports; a combination of experiences will be considered.
• Knowledge of decolonizing, trauma-informed, and housing first approaches to client support.
• Awareness of the complexities of homelessness, poverty, and the colonial context of homelessness in the Yukon, among other related issues.
• Awareness of community agencies, resources, First Nations government and First Nations-led organizations, and territorial government agencies.
• Knowledge of Safe at Homes vision.
• Food Safe/Food Handler certificate.
• Trauma-informed Care certificate.
• Yukon First Nations 101 certificate.
• Standard First Aid/CPR required; basic life support an asset.
• Mental health first aid an asset.
• ASIST suicide awareness and prevention training an asset.
• Naloxone/Narcan training.
• The submission of a Vulnerable Sector police check required.

Skills & Abilities

• Sound knowledge of Substance Use Universal Precautions and harm reduction techniques.
• Solution-oriented approaches to conflict management, crisis prevention, and mediation.
• Ability to maintain strong personal and professional boundaries when building relationships with residents and service providers.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a team; Must be comfortable and confident working alone with residents in their units.
• Proven ability to develop and implement programming, evaluate success, and adjust, as necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to work accessibly and effectively with individuals living with multiple barriers to stable housing.
• Strong written, verbal communication skills as well as strong active listening skills.
• Strong leadership skills, confident and adaptable teaching abilities, creative presentation skills, and enthusiasm for the work.
• Excellent organizational skills and abilities.
• Ability to apply a high degree of discretion in establishing supportive, trusting relationships with residents, neighbours, and various service providers.
• Possesses the ability to manage competing priorities and coordinate several tasks at once.

Work environment:
The role is primarily front-line focused working with residents at the 5131 Alexander building and sometimes supporting residents on external field trips. From time to time, the position may be required to perform the same duties at another SAHS Supportive Housing building.

* Having your own vehicle and/or reliable transportation an asset but not a requirement of employment.