Outreach Worker
Are you a person who shares our commitment to serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples experiencing homelessness and housing precarity by providing culturally supportive care? The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society (ACEH) is seeking a dedicated Outreach Worker to join our team, who will focus on supporting the Indigenous Street Family through attending to basic needs (i.e., obtaining ID, housing form completion), building community, advocacy, and providing referrals. The Outreach Worker will also assist with housing transitions – into Culturally Supportive Housing, subsidized housing, and private market housing.
The ACEH is an Indigenous-led non-profit organization and registered charity with a mission to lovingly provide Culturally Supportive Housing and services to end Indigenous homelessness across Vancouver Island. The work of the ACEH is guided by voices of the Indigenous Street Family and its Elders & Knowledge Keepers Advisory, focusing on leading evidence-based structural change and building partnerships to expand the Dual Model of Housing Care – offering Culturally Supportive Housing alongside pathways to healing and recovery.
Our Vision: Our way is to care for all our people, from the youngest to the oldest. We are all one. Some of our people living away from home are suffering, isolated and homeless. We stand together to end homelessness.
Application Submission: It is a requirement to submit a resume highlighting your community/organization involvements, relevant experience and/or education, certification(s), demonstrated experience, and how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will support and contribute to the Outreach team at the ACEH.
Preference will be given to qualified candidates with First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis ancestry. The ACEH values strength in diversity. As an inclusive employer that celebrates the gifts of all its employees, we encourage members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community to apply.
We thank all applicants for their interest in joining the ACEH; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Questions about the application process can be emailed to hr@acehsociety.com.
Position Type: Full-time. This position qualifies for ACEH-funded extended healthcare benefits.
Wage: $28.00 per hour.
Position Requirements: Possession of a valid Class 5 Driver's License is required.
Responsibilities of the Role:
- Actively build relationships with the Indigenous Street Family (ISF) in Greater Victoria as well as ACEH Family Members across the housing continuum (Culturally Supportive Housing, subsidized, supportive, affordable, independent).
- Support monthly Building Community event for the ISF on the second Tuesday of the month; providing access to food, community, and culture.
- Support to prepare, distribute, and track homemade meals for the ISF, including at the Indigenous Outreach Workers tent and in community.
- Support basic needs of Family Members accessing Broughton Street and across the housing continuum as funding permits (i.e., obtaining identification, bus tickets, groceries, clothing, rent, damage deposit etc.).
- On-site support with completing intake forms, housing forms (Supportive, Affordable, Subsidized).
- Attend and represent the ACEH at various community events, outreach groups, and meetings (i.e., Project Reconnect).
- Provide internal and external referrals for supports including:
- Emergency and crisis response
- Meals and food security
- Short-term stays and emergency shelters
- Treatment for substance use
- Child & youth resources
- Justice and legal
- Employment and education
- Support Family Members in their housing transitions, including moving support, acquiring low cost furniture, startup items, familiarizing with the neighborhood and services etc.
- Log daily supports provided on the CAMS database to support case management.
- Support day-to-day operations of the Broughton Street Office (i.e., cleaning duties, de-escalation).
- Support Family Members with land-based healing opportunities by coordinating with the Land-Based Healing Manager.
Required Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities:
- Minimum one year experience working with people experiencing homelessness in a residential and/or outreach setting required. A combination of education, training and experience will be considered.
- Knowledge of community resources including housing providers, non-profit organizations, family supports, and social and health services, is required.
- Experience working with Indigenous peoples and demonstrated understanding of the impacts of colonization is required.
- Effective written, electronic, and verbal communication skills to facilitate interprofessional collaborative practice, healthy and culturally safe environments, and a respectful workplace for community members, staff, guests, and volunteers.
- Ability to effectively respond and adjust to unexpected events, assess high-risk situations, problem-solve, provide crisis intervention, and manage conflict in a culturally supportive manner.
- Ability to work in a holistic, professional, and non-judgmental manner as you are working with a broad range of personalities, needs, cultures, lived experiences, and abilities.
- Experience with supporting events and community activities is considered an asset.
- Current First Aid and CPR certification required.
- Possession of valid Class 5 Driver's License required.
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