The West Central Women’s Resource Centre (WCWRC) provides services and programming to women, gender-diverse people and their families in the West Central neighbourhood of Winnipeg. WCWRC is women centered and practices empowerment, inclusion, harm reduction, multi-level, and community economic development philosophies to support women and gender-diverse people experiencing poverty, homelessness, mental illness, violence, substance use or participating in sex work.
The West Central Women’s Resource Centre is committed to inclusion and equity and strives to ensure that our staff team reflects the diversity of the community we serve. Persons with relevant lived experience, Indigenous peoples, Black people and other people of colour, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions are encouraged to apply and will be prioritized. We are committed to removing barriers to employment that are faced by groups that have been historically, persistently and systemically marginalized and encourage (but do not require) members of these groups to self-identify as such in their cover letters.
If you require an accommodation for the recruitment/interview process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms, support with resume writing or other accommodation), please contact us and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Position Summary:
The Outreach Worker will assist participants to meet their day-to-day needs through our mobile outreach program. They will provide access to supplies, resources, and referrals to community members who live unsheltered or are otherwise underserved, using empowerment and harm reduction philosophies. They will build relationships and provide compassionate, non-judgmental support to community members. They may also support with other programs of the Community Services Department, as needed (Drop-in and Food Security).
Start Date: ASAP
Salary: $20-22/hour, 3 weeks’ vacation, plus a benefits package and matched RSP after 3 months
Time requirement: 60h every two weeks availability including evenings and weekends required
Closing Date: Open until filled
Duties and Responsibilities:
Outreach
Connect with community members sleeping rough through daily visits to encampments, bus shelters, and other locations of interest
Build rapport with individuals and gain an understanding of their stories, concerns and needs
Connect unsheltered individuals to resources that will improve their standard of living, such as housing, income, medical supports, and identification
Shift prep, including supply inventory checks, kits preparation, meal packing and coffee making
Distribute harm reduction and hygiene supplies, meals and weather appropriate gear
Collect stats accurately and submit them appropriately
Be prepared to respond and support in emergency situations, including assessing, intervening, and documenting critical incidents
Collaborate as a team with other Outreach staff to identify trends and changing needs of the community
Collaborate with other community outreach groups, as appropriate
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Essential
Valid Class 5 Driver’s License required Please indicate license status clearly on application
Ability to work within anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks and actively engage in ongoing learning about these frameworks
Ability to practice participant-centred work and to work from a trauma-informed approach
Strong interpersonal skills; able to work effectively with diverse individuals and show compassion and understanding
Strong understanding of and ability to practice harm reduction and empowerment philosophies
Demonstrated crisis intervention training and experience
Ability to work off-site, under minimal supervision
Ability to multi-task and adapt to changing priorities
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to work in a respectful and cooperative manner with co-workers, other organizations and community members
Basic computer skills including the use of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook Calendar, Email and inputting Forms)
CPR/First Aid and Naloxone training, or willingness to obtain upon hiring
Preferred
Lived experience of overcoming housing insecurity, homelessness, poverty and/or marginalization strongly preferred
Experience working within the non-profit sector
Existing knowledge of the issues of marginalization
Experience working collaboratively with community organizations
Work Conditions
There is a risk of exposure to potentially unpredictable behaviors and situations
Evening and weekend work required
Ability to lift up to 50lb, for loading/unloading the van before and after shift
Working in a mobile setting and outdoors in all weather conditions
Please submit resume and cover letter to Mareike (she/her):
By email: mareike@wcwrc.ca
Mail/Drop-off: Attention: Mareike Brunelli
West Central Women’s Resource Centre640 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3G 0A7
Job posting is available at: https://wcwrc.ca/outreach-worker-2/
We thank all applicants but only candidates being considered will be contacted.