JOB SUMMARY
BridgeNorth is seeking a passionate individual to fill the role of Youth Prevention Program Facilitator. We are seeking someone who embodies the values of BridgeNorth and who creates accessible and safe spaces for youth who are vulnerable to sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. You understand how to create and maintain a “low-barrier” model of service and are comfortable operating “in the grey” as we serve a wide range of individuals with unique experiences, strengths, challenges, and needs. You are open to learning, flexible, and a strong team player who is committed to serving the community with excellence.
Reporting to the SAVVY Team Lead, the Youth Prevention Program Facilitator is responsible, under some supervision, for delivering BridgeNorth’s SAVVY Program by co-facilitating 6-10 week prevention groups for youth, providing 1-1 support to youth, conducting presentations in schools and to youth and adults in the community. The Youth Prevention Program Facilitator is also responsible for maintaining all necessary documentation and presenting self and program in a positive and professional manner within the organization and in the community.
Candidates with lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have lived experience and are unsure if you meet the qualifications for the role, we encourage you to contact us.
Strong preference will be given to candidates with lived experience of sex trafficking/sexual exploitation, Indigenous candidates, and/or candidates who speak French.
Organizational Profile
BridgeNorth’s mission is to restore the inherent dignity and value of sexually exploited women and girls by meeting their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. We help individuals experience freedom from sex trafficking in Canada through survivor-led support, prevention, education, and advocacy. We provide direct service to individuals and families impacted by sex trafficking, create public education and awareness, and advocate on behalf of trafficked persons for systemic change. We lead out of lived experience and trauma-informed care. We work with all people. We are an inclusive community dedicated to representing and supporting the diverse needs of the individuals whom we serve. We are especially focused on ensuring that BridgeNorth is a safe place for participants and partners who are part of vulnerable communities and/or marginalized identities, which are sadly over-represented in sex trafficking in Canada, such as LGBTQ2+ and BIPOC populations. Our agency’s value-based framework is committed to the socially just approach of being trauma-informed, person-centred, strengths-based, feminist, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and culturally sensitive.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
INTAKE
- Works with the SAVVY Team Lead to conduct intake for all youth referred to the SAVVY Program, conducting risk assessments and determining fit for program.
- In consultation with the program manager, accepting youth into the appropriate programming/services.
- Conducting all required documentation, including intake forms, consent forms, case notes, etc.
ASSESSMENT AND PLAN DEVELOPMENT
- Work collaboratively with the SAVVY Team to develop strategies, goals, and participant care plans to meet the unique needs of youth in the SAVVY Program based on the following frameworks:
o Person-centred
o Trauma-informed
o Stages of Change
o Harm Reduction
o Strengths-based
o GBA+
o Feminist
o Anti-oppressive
o Anti-racist
o Culturally relevant
- Ensure one-on-one and group support functions provided to participants are aligned to their unique care plan goals and objectives.
- Participate in team meetings for the purposes of being informed on and providing input into participant care plans and upcoming/ongoing SAVVY Groups.
CO-FACILITATION OF SAVVY GROUPS
- The Youth Prevention Program Facilitator will co-facilitate the SAVVY Groups. These are 6-10 week prevention education groups for youth who are vulnerable to sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.
- Facilitators will:
o Manage group dynamics and ensure the group is a safe and productive space for all youth in attendance.
o Deliver the SAVVY Curriculum content and support youth in the groups to understand the content and integrate their learning.
o Manage behaviours in a group setting.
o Provide accommodations to youth in the groups based on their unique behavioural, learning, mental health, and developmental needs.
o Tailor curriculum content to meet the needs of all youth in each SAVVY Group.
o Maintain proper documentation, including attendance tracking, honorarium logs, and case notes.
o Ongoing assessment of youth in SAVVY Groups for exploitation/trafficking and/or need for further support.
ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT FOR YOUTH
- The Youth Prevention Program Facilitator will carry a case load of youth receiving one-on-one support. This will include youth who:
o Are receiving 1-1 support to bridge them into an upcoming SAVVY Group.
o Are identified as needing/benefitting from additional 1-1 support beyond the completion of a SAVVY Group.
o Are not currently willing/able to attend a group program.
- The Youth Prevention Program Facilitator will:
o Conduct intakes for all youth referred to the SAVVY Program and assess their fit for group and/or 1-1 support.
o Provide ongoing, consistent, and positive support and encouragement to participants in one-on-one and group settings.
o Establish supportive relationships with participants and set firm and reasonable limits and boundaries.
o In consultation with the Program Manager, develop and update the participant’s care plan on an ongoing basis.
o Handle crises in an appropriate manner.
o Work with participants to develop and implement personal safety plans.
o Teach and assist participants in developing life skills, including:
- Healthy Relationships
- Healthy Communication
- System Navigation
- Personal health and well-being
- Self-regulation and self-care
o Meet participants in their communities.
o Support participants to meet their needs, this may include driving participants to appointments, to school meetings, etc.
o Advocate on behalf of Participants, facilitating access to resources and proper trauma-informed treatment within the justice, education, housing, child welfare, social service, and other systems.
o Provide awareness, information, and resources through agency and community networking.
o Encourage and participate with participants in suitable recreation and leisure activities.
PRESENTATIONS
- Conduct presentations and workshops on healthy relationships, social media safety, understanding exploitation and trafficking, etc. to youth in a variety of settings, including schools, youth groups, and community agencies.
- Provide a safe, engaging, and interactive experience for all youth in attendance.
- Share information with youth in the community about BridgeNorth’s services and be available to consult with youth and/or adults interested in learning more.
- Conduct presentations on understanding social media safety and youth exploitation/trafficking to parents/caregiver groups in the community, including schools, churches, local conferences, and community agencies.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintain complete and up-to-date documentation for all participants, including regularly updating participant file notes in BridgeNorth’s Case Management system.
- Responsible for remaining familiar with and complying with all BridgeNorth policies and procedures and seeking support from management when needed.
- Keep accurate records and receipts when required for mileage, parking, and other program delivery-related expenses and submit on a monthly basis.
MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION:
- Works with Program Manager to ensure all regularly scheduled participant surveys and interviews are completed as outlined in BridgeNorth’s Performance Measurement Framework.
OTHER DUTIES:
- Lead and or participate in other projects/assignments as required.
- The Youth Prevention Program Facilitator may be required to support staff in the LifeEdge day program from time to time.
- The Youth Prevention Program Facilitator role requires regular travel in York Region, Simcoe County, and the Greater Toronto Area. Whenever possible, groups, meetings, and appointments are arranged such that travel time from the BridgeNorth office, is done during the scheduled work shift.
- In all aspects of the role, the Youth Prevention Program Facilitator is required to be familiar with and adhere to Duty to Report requirements according to relevant legislation and BridgeNorth Policies.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:
- Behavior is consistent with commitment to the organization’s values.
- Behaviour is consistent with commitment to the organization’s policies.
- Behaviour is consistent with commitment to ongoing learning.
- Demonstrates a positive attitude and ability to self-regulate in a wide range of situations.
- Maintains confidentiality in accordance with organization standards and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) legislation.
- Up-to-date knowledge of all applicable HT legislation and laws.
- As part of the team, help provide for the safety of self, co-workers and participants by recognizing, assessing, and de-escalating potential risk situations, and identifying/strategizing solutions with the Manager of Direct Services and authorities as required.
- Represents the organization through inter and intra-agency activities in a manner that:
- Maintains and fosters a spirit of teamwork and cooperation with staff and others.
- Communicates and liaises effectively with management and staff.
- Works cooperatively and collaboratively with other programs and staff as well as other agencies, police, schools, and community groups.
- Maintains awareness of community resources and involves program participants and staff in the same as appropriate.
- Strong computer skills, particularly with MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).
- Ability to exercise professionalism and sound judgement in conflictual and stressful situations.
- Sensitivity to and ability to work with a diverse client and staff group.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage well in a crisis, self-regulate, and model self-regulation skills with participants.
- Group facilitation and public speaking.
- Understand, accept, and demonstrate behaviours and attitudes consistent with the values of a “low-barrier” service which does not turn its back on participants when they exhibit challenging behaviours. This means that while setting boundaries and maintaining a safe space, staff are expected to provide individualized accommodations to each participant, understanding the root causes of challenging behaviours so participants receive the support they need and can remain in programming.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- Lived experience of sex trafficking/sexual exploitation is a strong asset.
- For applicants with lived experience, a minimum of 3 years exited.
- Must be able to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Clearance Certificate (at BridgeNorth’s expense)
- Must have a valid Ontario Driver’s License and a vehicle. The role requires staff to drive to various locations in and around York Region, Simcoe County, and the Greater Toronto Area to deliver the program and be in the community with participants.
Note: BridgeNorth believes strongly in supporting the personal and professional development of those with lived experience. If you are an individual with lived experience, who is interested in this role, we welcome your application even if you have few of the additional qualifications and experiences listed in this next section.
The following qualifications and experience are all assets for this position:
- Post-secondary education preferred at either the college or university level.
- Registered Child & Youth Worker, Social Worker, or Social Service Worker is a strong asset.
- Bilingualism in English and French is considered a strong asset
- Experience and/or understanding of program delivery for trauma-informed, person-centered, strengths-based, feminist, anti-oppression, anti-racist, and culturally sensitive services.
- Experience working with youth with multiple vulnerabilities which may include transient housing or homelessness, food insecurity, poverty, abuse, neglect, diagnoses such as FASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and mental health issues (e.g. anxiety, eating disorders, depression, etc.)
- Experience in the Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) or Violence Against Women (VAW) sectors is an asset.
- Experience working within the public school system a plus.
- Experience working with peer mentorship programs a plus.
- Certification in Mental Health, Addictions, Youth, Trauma Counselling etc. a plus.
- First Aid & CPR.
- French/English Bilingualism is a strong asset
Work Location: In person/Hybrid: This role requires primarily in-person work (facilitating groups, delivering presentations, meeting community partners, meeting with youth in the community, and attending in-person meetings at BridgeNorth’s Office. It will additionally require some work from home. Days/times of work in-person vs virtually will be discussed on an ongoing basis with the Youth Prevention Program Facilitator’s Supervisor.
Job Types: Part-time or Full-time, Fixed term contract
Pay: $50,000 - $55,000 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Employee assistance program
- Paid time off
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Some evenings required
Licence/Certification:
- Driver's License (required)
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $50,000.00-$55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Employee assistance program
- Paid time off
Application question(s):
- Do you have lived experience of sex trafficking and/or sexual exploitation?
- How many years of group facilitation experience do you have?
- How many years' experience do you have working with vulnerable youth populations?
- Are you able to communicate professionally in both English and French?
- What is your level of proficiency in French? (Fluent, Intermediate, Basic, None)
Work Location: In person
