CSOA Peer Support Worker

Title: CSOA Peer Support Worker

Position Type: Casual

Reports To: Manager, Harm Reduction

Department: Harm Reduction

Location: 75 Martha St/Community

Direct Reports: None

Wage: $20.48

Program Hours: 7 days a week (9:00AM - 1:00PM with the possibility of extension)

Main Street Project (MSP) is a community health Centre with a mandate to address the social determinants of health which give rise to issues of addiction, physical and mental health issues and homelessness. MSP uses housing-first and harm reduction principles in the provision of a safe, respectful and accessible place for individuals who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in the community. Since 1972, MSP has been providing a range of services to Winnipeg's most marginalized residents, including emergency shelter and nutrition services, drug and alcohol withdrawal management services, health advocacy and support, case management services, housing support services, food bank services and a mobile community outreach program.

Are you seeking a career where you can be part of a dynamic, diverse team, and where the mission is centered around ensuring everyone has access to a safe environment that promotes dignity, respect, and self-determination? Main Street Project is committed to developing impactful and meaningful solutions that drive positive changes in our community. The work you do here will have a lasting, meaningful impact on those we serve.

At Main Street Project, we believe that the best work happens when diverse minds come together. We believe in building and fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. Our commitment to diversity, including embracing Truth & Reconciliation, Decolonization and Anti-Oppression, is embedded in our culture and drives the success of the organization. Our team is made up of talented individuals from various backgrounds and life experiences, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives.

Main Street Project operates a Community Supported Opioid Access (CSOA) program 365 days a year (4 hours per day). The CSOA program offers prescribed opioids for those who experience substance use dependencies with opioid (specifically Dilaudid 8), along with wrap-around support. The program is rooted in harm reduction, focusing on person-centered care built on relationships, and provides additional wraparound supports from a dynamic team of peers (folks with lived or living experience), nursing staff, a primary care doctor and case manager.

The CSOA Support Worker maintains the core values of MSP regarding harm reduction, choice, equity, and diversity and encourages individuals in capacity building.

• Ensure that relatives in the programs’ immediate needs are met through the provision of food, first aid and harm reduction supplies, and personal hygiene supplies/clothing

• Develop relationships rooted in non-judgement and trauma-informed care

• Assist in light food preparation and making coffee for drop-in hours

• Keeping relatives informed about appropriate resources, services, and programs available

• Support in medication counts accurate data collection

• Assist relatives in completing scheduled surveys and questionnaires in a timely fashion 

• Notifying program relatives of any upcoming appointments

• Support with general cleaning and maintenance through opening and closing procedures for drop in area

• Liaising with program management, case management and program medical staff to ensure good communication regarding needs of relatives

• Relevant personal lived or living experience with homelessness and/or substance use

• Ability to work with a client-centered care philosophy

• Ability to apply Harm Reduction and Housing First philosophies in their day-to-day support of clients

• Knowledge of the effects of poverty and the determinants to health

• Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team

• Knowledge in the addiction and mental health fields

• Knowledge of Indigenous culture, TRC Calls to Action, MMIWG Calls to Justice, and UNDRIP

• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills, both oral and written

• An understanding/experience in working with culturally diverse populations

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

• First-hand understanding of issues related to mental health, substance use and/or being unhoused.

• Familiarity with mental health and addiction services both internal and external to MSP.

• Ability to work as part of a team, and with other health care providers in clinical settings.

• Good verbal and written\communication skills.

• Ability to work with a client-centered care philosophy

• Ability to apply Harm Reduction and Housing First philosophies in their day-to-day support of clients

• Knowledge of the effects of poverty and the social determinant of health is essential

• Knowledge of Indigenous Culture

• Additional languages (Indigenous) are considered an asset 

• Experience working with Indigenous organization and/or communities an asset 

• Ability to maintain the required work schedule, be on time, keep work area neat, be accountable for how time is used.

• Ability to use sound judgement regarding confidentiality issues.

• Ability to advocate for clients by bringing concerns about services to the Manager of Outreach Services.

Strong commitment to Main Street Project’s Core Values:

• Reducing Harm 

• Truth and Reconciliation 

• Anti-Oppression 

• Trauma-Informed

Key Competencies:

• Collaboration

• Crisis Management

• Problem Solving

• Decision Making

• Developing External Relationships

• Competitive wages within the nonprofit sector

• Health & Dental Benefits

• Pension Plan

• Professional Development Opportunities

• Paid Sick and Family days

• Shift Premiums

• Employee Assistance Program

Main Street Project recognizes the importance of building a workforce that is reflective of the community it serves, where culture, language and perspectives drive a high standard of care and service. Therefore, preference will be given to Indigenous people and those who reflect the people/population we serve.

Applicants are asked to self-declare in their cover letter along with describing how they meet the above qualifications.

We thank all applicants but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.