Program Facilitator and Coordinator

Program Coordinator & Facilitator

Status: Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)

Salary: $70,000 annually

Reports To: Program Director

Location: Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka, Barrie, Ontario

About Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka

At Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka, we believe that no one should face cancer alone.

We provide emotional and social support to individuals living with cancer, their families, caregivers, and those grieving a loss. Through support groups, healthy lifestyle programs, educational workshops, social connections, children's programming, and family-focused services, we create a welcoming community where people can find comfort, connection, hope, and strength throughout their cancer journey.

Position Summary

The Program Coordinator & Facilitator plays a vital role in bringing Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka's mission to life every day.

Reporting to the Program Director, this position is responsible for coordinating, facilitating, and supporting a wide range of programs and services designed to provide emotional and social support to individuals and families impacted by cancer.

In accordance with Cancer Support Community standards, the successful candidate must be a Master's-level mental health professional qualified to facilitate psychosocial support programming and provide supportive care to individuals and families impacted by cancer.

This is a highly relational role that combines program facilitation, member support, cancer support navigation, program coordination, and community engagement. The successful candidate will spend much of their time building meaningful relationships with members, facilitating support groups and workshops, coordinating program delivery, supporting children, youth, families, and caregivers, and helping members access the resources and supports they need throughout their cancer journey.

Working closely with the Program Director, the Program Coordinator & Facilitator will play a key role in the continued growth and expansion of Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka's programs and services. This includes supporting the development of innovative and responsive programming for working professionals, families, children, youth, caregivers, and individuals impacted by cancer, ensuring programs evolve to meet the changing needs of our community.

The successful candidate will be a compassionate relationship-builder with exceptional facilitation skills, high emotional intelligence, strong organizational abilities, and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families impacted by cancer. They will understand the importance of meeting people where they are, listening with empathy, and incorporating kindness, dignity, and respect into every interaction.

Key Responsibilities

Program Facilitation & Member Support

• Facilitate support groups, educational workshops, healthy lifestyle programs, social programs, children's programs, youth programs, caregiver programs, and other member-focused activities.
• Foster safe, inclusive, and supportive group environments that encourage connection, participation, healing, and personal growth.
• Support members throughout their journey at Gilda's Club through ongoing communication, check-ins, and referrals to appropriate programs and services.
• Conduct new member intakes and assist in the development of individualized support and membership plans.
• Support member engagement initiatives that promote connection, belonging, and wellbeing.
• Demonstrate kindness, compassion, empathy, and professionalism in every interaction with members, families, volunteers, students, and community partners.
• Utilize strong emotional intelligence to recognize and respond appropriately to the diverse emotional, social, and practical needs of members and their families.
• Communicate program updates, schedule changes, and cancellations to participants as required.

Cancer Support Navigation

• Assist members and families in identifying and accessing community resources, healthcare supports, financial assistance programs, transportation supports, homecare services, and other practical supports.
• Support members with applications, paperwork, referrals, and service navigation.
• Provide information and guidance regarding available community, provincial, and national supports for individuals and families impacted by cancer.
• Maintain current knowledge of cancer-related resources and community services.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers, community organizations, and support agencies to facilitate access to services.
• Conduct follow-up with members to ensure successful connection to resources and supports.
• Empower members and families to confidently navigate complex systems and services.

Program Coordination, Development & Expansion

• Work collaboratively with the Program Director to plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate programs and services.
• Research and develop innovative programs, workshops, support groups, and community initiatives that respond to the evolving needs of members and families.
• Support the expansion of programming designed to meet the unique needs of working professionals, families, children, youth, caregivers, and individuals impacted by cancer.
• Participate in gathering member feedback, community insights, and outcome data to inform future program development.
• Coordinate program logistics, registrations, facilitators, volunteers, contractors, and participant communications.
• Maintain program calendars and registration systems.
• Coordinate room setup and preparation for support groups, workshops, educational sessions, and special events.
• Ensure program materials, supplies, and resources are available and organized.
• Support the collection and reporting of program participation statistics, outcomes, and member feedback.

Children's, Youth & Family Programming

• Support the development, coordination, facilitation, and evaluation of children's, youth, and family-focused programming.
• Assist with the planning and delivery of March Break and Summer Camp programs for children and youth impacted by cancer in their family.
• Foster safe, engaging, and supportive environments that promote resilience, healthy coping, connection, and emotional wellbeing.
• Build meaningful relationships with children, youth, and families participating in programs and activities.
• Support the establishment and ongoing facilitation of a Youth Advisory Committee.
• Engage youth in leadership, advocacy, volunteerism, and community-building opportunities.
• Collaborate with staff, volunteers, students, and community partners to strengthen children's and youth programming opportunities.

Documentation & Program Administration

• Maintain accurate and timely member and program records.
• Ensure documentation is completed in accordance with organizational policies, professional standards, and applicable privacy legislation.
• Support program evaluation, outcome measurement, and reporting requirements.
• Assist with grant reporting, data collection, and program statistics as required.
• Support the effective use of member management and program registration systems.

Community Outreach & Student Support

• Participate in community outreach activities that increase awareness of Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka and its programs.
• Represent Gilda's Club at community events, presentations, and networking opportunities.
• Assist with the orientation, onboarding, mentorship, and support of student placements.
• Support student learning related to group facilitation, psychosocial support, and member engagement.
• Contribute to a positive and supportive learning environment.

Qualifications

Education & Professional Registration

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counselling Psychology, Psychotherapy, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related mental health discipline is required.
• Must be a Master's-level mental health professional qualified to facilitate psychosocial support programming in accordance with Cancer Support Community standards.
• Registration in good standing with a recognized Ontario regulatory college is required, including: o Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW); or
  • College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO); or
  • Another regulated mental health profession recognized under applicable legislation.

Experience

• Minimum three years of experience providing psychosocial support, counselling, group facilitation, or mental health services within healthcare, community, or nonprofit settings.
• Experience facilitating support groups and psychoeducational programs.
• Experience supporting individuals and families impacted by cancer, chronic illness, grief, caregiving, or significant life transitions is strongly preferred.
• Experience developing, coordinating, and evaluating programs.
• Experience supporting children, youth, and families is considered a strong asset.
• Experience supporting or mentoring students is considered an asset.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional facilitation and relationship-building skills.
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to build trust and meaningful relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to incorporating kindness, empathy, compassion, dignity, and respect into every interaction.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and active listening skills.
• Ability to navigate sensitive conversations with professionalism, discretion, and emotional awareness.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
• Knowledge of psychosocial oncology, grief, mental health, and supportive care principles.
• Knowledge of community resources and support systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database management systems.
• Ability to obtain a clear Vulnerable Sector Check.

Compensation & Benefits

At Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka, we recognize that caring for others starts with caring for our team. We are committed to fostering a supportive workplace that values wellbeing, balance, flexibility, and meaningful work.

This position offers:

• Annual salary of $70,000
• Three (3) weeks of paid vacation
• One (1) week of paid personal time
• One (1) week paid organizational closure between Christmas and New Year's
• Paid birthday off
• The opportunity to be part of a passionate and dedicated team making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by cancer

Why Join Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka?

This is more than a job, it is an opportunity to walk alongside individuals and families during some of life's most challenging moments.

Through your compassion, professionalism, kindness, and commitment to service, you will help create meaningful experiences that reduce isolation, foster hope, strengthen community, and ensure that no one faces cancer alone.

If you are passionate about facilitation, psychosocial support, relationship-building, supporting children and families, and helping people navigate complex systems with confidence and dignity, we would love to hear from you.

Our Commitment to Applicants

At Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka, human connection is at the heart of everything we do.

We recognize that every resume represents a person, a story, and a unique set of experiences. For that reason, every application submitted will be personally reviewed by a member of our team. While technology can support the recruitment process, we believe people deserve to be seen by people.

Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and lived realities. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process upon request.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to lana@gildasclubsimcoemuskoka.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.