POSITION: Recreation and Community Inclusion Facilitator
REPORTS TO: Suffolk Care Collaborative Manager
ABOUT THE SUFFOLK CARE COLLABORATIVE:
The Suffolk Care Collaborative (SCC) is an innovative partnership between Wyndham House and Family & Children's Services of Guelph and Wellington County, developed in response to the growing need for high-quality residential care options that keep young people connected to their home communities, natural supports, and local services.
Guided by youth voice and informed by research and community feedback, SCC was created to provide a therapeutic, relationship-based residential environment for youth ages 13–17. The program combines a purpose-built residential setting, individualized care planning, life skills development, family and natural support engagement, and access to integrated health, mental health, and community services.
Through SCC, Wyndham House is expanding its commitment to supporting youth earlier in their journey by providing a safe, nurturing, and developmentally responsive environment where young people can build stability, strengthen relationships, develop essential life skills, and work toward positive long-term outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
Working under the direction of the SCC Program Manager, the Recreation and Community Inclusion Facilitator is responsible for developing and coordination meaningful creation, leisure, and community inclusion opportunities that promote social connection, skills development, identity formation, and emotional well-being. This role will also provide essential after-school support and assistance with bed-time routine-building.
The Recreation & Community Inclusion Facilitator works collaboratively with the Case Manager, Occupational Therapist, Counselling Team, and Youth Care and Connection Workers, families, schools, and community partners to ensure every youth has an individualized recreation and community inclusion plan that reflects their interests, strengths, culture, developmental goals, and therapeutic needs.
The position emphasizes building natural supports, increasing community participation, promoting healthy daily routines, and creating positive developmental experiences that strengthen long-term resilience and independence.
COMPENSATION: Co-operators Benefits Package, Case manager wage grid
HOURS/SCHEDULE
- Sunday-Thursday : Sunday 7am-3pm and Monday-Thursday could be: 12:30pm-8:30pm, 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., or 1:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- Planning Expectations: Flexed hours that could affect clients' access to activities or disrupt established routines must be planned at least one week in advance. Appropriate alternative programming and support arrangements must be in place before the schedule change occurs.
- Based on ministry visits and requirements, operational needs, community and family events, there many be a need to flex the assigned schedule. The RCIF would work with the SCC manager around this
- The RCIF schedule may also need to adjust during times that youth are out-of-school, including summer, march break, Christmas break, and PA days.
JOB SUMMARY
- Develop individualized recreation and community inclusion plans for every youth.
- Coordinate meaningful recreational, social, cultural, educational, and volunteer opportunities based on youth interests and goals.
- Foster community inclusion by connecting youth with neighbourhood groups, clubs, sports, arts, and local programming.
- Support youth in strengthening and building positive relationship with their family and natural supports.
- Identify and coordinate financial supports including FARE applications, recreation subsidies, grants, and community funding opportunities.
- Collaborate with Occupational Therapy, Counselling, Case Management, and the residence’s staff to integrate recreation into therapeutic care plans.
- Promote healthy routines including after-school engagement, evening structure, sleep hygiene, and bedtime routines.
- Facilitate individual and group programming that promotes life skills, social skills, confidence, emotional regulation, and community participation.
- Build partnerships with recreation providers, schools, volunteers, and community organizations throughout Guelph-Wellington.
- Monitor participation, evaluate outcomes, and adapt programming to meet changing youth needs.
- Maintain documentation, program records, and outcome reporting.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY INCLUSION (30%)
- Ensure every youth has an individualized recreation and community inclusion plan.
- Assess youth interests, strengths, abilities, developmental needs, and recreational goals.
- Develop age-appropriate programming that promotes confidence, resilience, healthy risk-taking, and positive identity development.
- Coordinate participation in community recreation, sports, arts, cultural events, volunteer opportunities, camps, employment readiness activities, and special events.
- Research and develop new recreation opportunities throughout Guelph-Wellington.
- Establish partnerships with neighbourhood associations, community centres, sports organizations, libraries, recreation providers, and volunteer organizations.
- Support youth in building sustainable natural supports outside formal services.
- Coordinate transportation and logistics for community participation.
- Plan seasonal activities, celebrations, outings, and special events that include youth’s family members when appropriate and safe to do so.
DIRECT CLIENT CARE (50%)
- Build positive, trauma-informed relationships with youth with healthy professional boundaries.
- Engage in recreational activities and leisure with youth e.g., going for a walk, playing basketball, day trips to things like the museum, arcade, petting zoo, etc.
- Teach social skills, communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation through recreation.
- Encourage participation while respecting youth voice and choice.
- Support after-school routines, evening programming, healthy leisure, and bedtime routines.
- Provide behavioural support, crisis intervention, and de-escalation during activities when required.
- If age and developmentally appropriate, support youth in accessing community transportation and safely navigating community environments.
- Provide transportation to youth to- and from- activities or events.
CARE COORDINATION & COLLABORATION (10%)
- Collaborate with Case Managers, Occupational Therapists, Counsellors, Youth Care and Connection Workers, families, schools, and community agencies.
- Participate in care planning meetings and case conferences.
- Incorporate therapeutic recommendations into recreation programming.
- Support transition planning by identifying long-term recreation and community connections youth can maintain after discharge.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES (10%)
- Complete FARE applications, Big Brother Big sister applications, Jumpstart applications, recreation subsidy applications, bursaries, and other funding and community integration opportunities.
- Maintain accurate program documentation, participation records, case notes, and outcome data.
- Monitor recreation budgets and program expenditures.
- Complete regular program statistics and evaluation reports.
- Attend supervision, team meetings, and training.
- Ensure compliance with CYFSA, PHIPPA, Ontario Quality Standards Framework, and Wyndham House policies.
JOB COMPETENCIES
- Relationship Building
- Creativity and Innovation
- Community Development
- Youth Engagement
- Program Planning and Facilitation
- Organization and Time Management
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Problem Solving
AGENCY COMPETENCIES
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Harm Reduction
- Housing First Philosophy
- Youth-Centred Practice
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
- Compassion and Creative Persistence
JOB SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Diploma or Degree in Recreation Therapy, Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Therapeutic Recreation, Kinesiology, Community Development, or a related field.
- Minimum two years' experience working with youth experiencing mental health, behavioural, developmental, child welfare, or housing challenges.
- Experience planning and facilitating recreation and community-based programming.
- Knowledge of community recreation resources within Guelph-Wellington.
- Experience supporting youth using trauma-informed and strength-based approaches.
- Experience developing individualized recreation or leisure plans.
- Understanding of occupational therapy principles related to sensory regulation, routines, and participation.
- Ability to build partnerships with community organizations and natural supports.
- Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRE EITHER
- Relevant education and experience: Individuals require a certificate, diploma, or degree with academic and practical content directly related to the position’s duties, the program offered at the SCC, and the needs of the youth served. These individuals must also have relevant experience and skills.
OR
- Cultural expertise: Individuals can also be a recognized First Nations, Inuk, or Métis Elder, Knowledge Keeper, Healer, Medicine Person, Traditional Person, or Cultural Person with cultural knowledge and skills directly related to the position’s duties, the program offered at the SCC, and the needs of the youth served.
- Any recognized individuals must go through the OHT confirmation process: o https://guelphwellingtonoht.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GW-OHT-Indigenous-Identity-Confirmation-Process-OHT-10282025.pd
REQUIREMENTS
- Commitment to the role for a minimum of one year.
- Valid Ontario driver's licence.
- Access to a reliable vehicle with $2 million liability insurance.
- Satisfactory Broad Record Check.
- Standard First Aid and CPR-C certification.
- Covid-19 Vaccinations x2
Wyndham House values inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. (AODA). If you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please notify [email protected]
All Wyndham House employees must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccinations by the date of hire to be considered for any position.
While we thank all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Any information obtained during recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose
Pay: $40,000.00-$50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
