Join Us in Making a Meaningful Difference
At Fontbonne Ministries, we’re more than just a workplace – we’re a community dedicated to fostering dignity and creating positive change. Founded on the inspiring legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph, we’re looking for passionate individuals who share our commitment to building a more inclusive and supportive society.
Why Choose Us?
· Purpose-Driven Work: Be part of transformative programs that directly impact the lives of socially isolated individuals in our community.
· Inclusive Culture: Join an organization that actively champions diversity and equity, where every team member’s unique perspective is valued and celebrated.
· Exceptional Benefits: Secure your future with our comprehensive HOOPP pension plan, one of Ontario’s most respected pension programs.
Our Vision & Impact
We’re dedicated to nurturing community, dignity, and spirit through:
· Building authentic connections with our community members
· Creating welcoming spaces where everyone belongs
· Driving positive social change through innovative programs
Our values guide everything we do:
· Respect: We celebrate each person’s unique gifts and inherent dignity
· Advocacy: We lead positive change by responding to evolving community needs
· Community: We build strong, collaborative partnerships that create lasting impact
· Compassion: We provide personalized attention with empathy and understanding
· Accountability: We make sustainable choices that benefit future generations
If you’re passionate about making a real difference while building a rewarding career with excellent benefits, we want to hear from you. Join our team and be part of a legacy of compassionate care and community building.
Position Overview
Reports To: Director, Programs and Partnerships
The Friendly Visiting Program Lead is responsible for the leadership, coordination, implementation, growth, and evaluation of Fontbonne Ministries’ Friendly Visiting Program. The program supports seniors and other vulnerable individuals experiencing social isolation, loneliness, or limited social supports by fostering connection, inclusion, and community engagement.
Working within a community-based, person-centred framework, the Program Lead oversees participant intake and assessment, individualized support planning, advocacy, volunteer supervision (in collaboration with the Volunteer Coordinator), community outreach, partnership development, and program evaluation.
The role serves as the primary point of contact for participants, families, caregivers, volunteers, community partners, and referral sources. It ensures a responsive, high-quality service that promotes dignity, independence, inclusion, and belonging.
The Program Lead is accountable for safe and effective service delivery, volunteer coordination in partnership with the Volunteer Coordinator, system navigation and advocacy, and contributing to the program’s strategic growth and sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
1. Participant Intake, Assessment, and Coordination
· Lead intake, screening, and eligibility determination.
· Conduct comprehensive assessments (phone, community-based, and home visits where appropriate).
· Assess social isolation, wellbeing, risks, supports, accessibility needs, and barriers to participation.
· Develop individualized support plans focused on social connection, independence, and wellbeing.
· Monitor and update participant plans as needed.
· Maintain regular communication with participants, families, and caregivers where appropriate.
· Identify needs requiring referral, advocacy, or additional support.
· Apply a strengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, person-centred approach.
· Maintain accurate documentation, case notes, and records in compliance with policy.
· Respond to incidents, concerns, and risks according to organizational procedures.
2. Advocacy and System Navigation
· Provide advocacy and support to participants facing barriers related to health, housing, transportation, income security, food access, or social inclusion.
· Support participants in navigating health and social service systems, with a strong focus on working closely with family members and caregivers to ensure coordinated understanding of needs and available supports.
· Facilitate referrals to appropriate health, social, recreational, housing, and community-based services.
· Promote participant self-advocacy, empowerment, and informed decision-making, while recognizing varying levels of capacity and support needs.
· Support access to educational, cultural, recreational, and wellness opportunities, including in-home, virtual, or community-based options where feasible.
· Recognize transportation and mobility limitations and collaborate with family members and caregivers to help identify and arrange appropriate supports where possible.
· Work in partnership with family members, caregivers, and service providers to support continuity of care, service coordination, and informed decision-making.
· Promote dignity, safety, inclusion, and quality of life in all interactions.
3. Volunteer Leadership and Supervision (Shared responsibility with Volunteer Coordinator)
· Collaborate on volunteer recruitment, screening, onboarding, and placement.
· Support outreach to community partners (colleges, faith groups, agencies, etc.).
· Participate in volunteer interviews and selection processes.
· Ensure completion of screening and reference checks through the Volunteer Coordinator.
· Deliver volunteer orientation and training (boundaries, confidentiality, elder abuse awareness, dementia, mental health, cultural safety, and participant safety).
· Provide ongoing supervision, coaching, and performance feedback.
· Monitor volunteer and participant matches for safety and quality.
· Coordinate with Volunteer Coordinator on scheduling, matching, and recognition activities.
· Address volunteer concerns and performance issues promptly and professionally.
· Foster a positive and engaging volunteer experience that supports retention.
4. Program Coordination and Service Delivery
· Oversee daily operations of the Friendly Visiting Program.
· Coordinate participant and volunteer activities for effective service delivery.
· Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and funding requirements.
· Maintain intake systems, workflows, and service schedules.
· Identify and implement service improvements.
· Monitor participant safety, confidentiality, and satisfaction.
· Identify service gaps and recommend enhancements.
· Support development of new initiatives addressing social isolation.
· Support budget tracking and financial accountability.
· Integrate Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) principles into all services.
5. Community Outreach and Partnerships
· Promote awareness of the program in the community.
· Develop and maintain relationships with healthcare providers, community agencies, housing providers, seniors’ services, and stakeholders.
· Build referral pathways to support isolated individuals.
· Represent the organization at meetings, networks, and community events.
· Participate in collaborative initiatives addressing social isolation and wellbeing.
· Identify emerging community needs and opportunities for program growth.
· Strengthen partnerships that improve participant access to services and supports.
· Advocate for socially isolated individuals within community systems.
6. Community Engagement and Social Inclusion
· Develop safe and accessible opportunities for participant engagement.
· Coordinate social, educational, wellness, and community-building activities.
· Reduce barriers to participation, including mobility and transportation limitations.
· Support inclusive environments where participants feel welcomed and valued.
· Encourage appropriate participation in community-based activities.
· Foster belonging and meaningful social connection among participants and volunteers.
7. Program Evaluation and Administration
· Monitor and evaluate program outcomes using qualitative and quantitative measures.
· Track participant outcomes, engagement, and volunteer involvement.
· Collect and analyze feedback from participants, volunteers, and partners.
· Maintain accurate and confidential program records and databases.
· Track referrals, intakes, visits, volunteer hours, and outcomes.
· Prepare reports for leadership, funders, and stakeholders.
· Support grant reporting and funding applications.
· Contribute to policy development, risk management, and program planning.
· Ensure compliance with privacy legislation and organizational standards.
Organizational Responsibilities
· Participate in strategic planning and program development.
· Attend meetings, supervision, and training sessions.
· Support fundraising and community engagement initiatives.
· Stay current with best practices in aging, social isolation, volunteer engagement, and community-based care.
· Demonstrate professionalism and alignment with organizational values.
· Perform other related duties as assigned.
Education and Qualifications
· Diploma or degree in Social Work, Social Service Work, Human Services, Community Development, Gerontology, Psychology, or related field.
· Minimum 3 years’ experience in community-based programming, social services, or volunteer coordination.
· Experience in intake, assessment, case coordination, and advocacy.
· Experience supervising or supporting volunteers.
· Experience working with seniors or socially isolated populations.
· Experience building community partnerships.
Assets
· Volunteer Management Certification.
· First Aid/CPR certification.
· Training in Mental Health First Aid, Dementia Care, Elder Abuse Prevention, Trauma-Informed Practice, or related areas.
· Experience in non-profit or faith-based settings.
· Knowledge of community resources and social systems.
Skills and Competencies
· Strong assessment, intake, and coordination skills.
· Excellent volunteer leadership and interpersonal skills.
· Strong communication, facilitation, and conflict resolution abilities.
· Community development and partnership-building skills.
· Strong organization and time management skills.
· Ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
· Strong documentation and reporting skills.
· Knowledge of aging, isolation, and barriers to participation.
· Commitment to equity, inclusion, and person-centred practice.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office and database systems.
Working Conditions
· Work in office, community, and participant home settings.
· Regular travel within the community required.
· Occasional evening and weekend work.
· Physical ability to travel and carry program materials.
· Valid driver’s license and access to transportation preferred.
· Must be comfortable working within a faith-based organization.
Accountability
The Friendly Visiting Program Lead is accountable for the leadership, coordination, delivery, and continuous improvement of the Friendly Visiting Program. This includes participant intake and assessment, advocacy, volunteer coordination (in collaboration with the Volunteer Coordinator), community partnerships, program evaluation, risk management, and ensuring high-quality outcomes that reduce social isolation and strengthen community connection.
Fontbonne Ministries values inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”). If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please note that in your application. While we thank all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Pay: $50,000.00-$60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
Application question(s):
- This is an onsite position, it is not remote. Please confirm you are available to work on site.
Experience:
- Managing programs with the social services sector: 3 years (required)
- working with seniors or vulnerable groups: 3 years (required)
- volunteer supervision and training: 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) (required)
- Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or Gerontology (required)
Work Location: In person
