Spence Neighbourhood Association is looking to hire a Wahkohtowin-SFP Youth Group Mentor position (two positions available). This is a full time position (35 hours/week)

Wahkohtowin is a Cree word that means kinship or the state of being related. Wahkohtowin- Strengthening Families Project (SFP) is a five-year project funded by the National Crime Prevention Centre under the Ministry of Public Security. The project will implement a new comprehensive model of family based outreach in Winnipeg. Wahkotowin-SFP is a 14-week, curriculum-based program that engages youth who are facing systemic challenges and barriers between the ages 11-17 along with their families. This initiative involves and supports the entire family in developing skills that will enhance parenting skills and empathy and promote effective parenting styles.

The program builds decision-making and life skills in youth, including: stress management, conflict resolution, refusal skills, and empathy. It strengthens family bonds and promotes positive communication and the ability to jointly solve problems.

The Wahkohtowin-SFP is a collaborative effort with partners that include Ka Ni Kanichihk, N’dinawe, the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM), the University of Manitoba, and the Spence Neighbourhood Association. A Wahkohtowin-SFP Youth Group Mentor will work as part of a team of professionals and under guidance from the Site Coordinator. The primary role of the Youth Group Mentor will be to review and deliver curriculum faithfully to ensure fidelity; carry out appropriate record keeping functions including report writing, case notes and data collection; assist with set up for sessions and with meals; debrief after each class; to assume responsibility for other tasks that may  be assigned; and to provide ongoing contact and support for participants. All staff will endeavour to ensure a warm, respectful, and welcoming program environment for participating families and effective program delivery. In addition, the Youth Group Mentor will provide support and assistance to the West End 24 Hour overnight safe space.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Review, understand, deliver weekly curriculum for youth members of the families enrolled in the Wahkohtowin
• Facilitate conversations and dialogue in a healthy and respectful way
• Participate in weekly meetings
• Maintain regular contact with participants, and support participants as required
• Assist in data collection, and regular documentation as supervised by the Site Coordinator
• Greet and assist Elders and visitors and set up and clean up weekly sessions
• Maintain, in cooperation with other team members, the physical facilities of the program site in accordance with accepted norms of health and safety;
• Assist in the arranging of transportation and child care for families, managing child care for participants when needed;
• Assist with behaviour management and contribute toward participant retention and program sustainability, assuming responsibility for other tasks that may be assigned
• Research and refer participants to other supports as necessary
• Work overnight shifts as required (approximately 10 hours per week)
• Build positive relationships with youth in the community

• Experience working in the Indigenous and Newcomer communities
• Experience  in  program  coordination,  implementation,  monitoring  and  evaluation  of  all  program  related objectives/deliverables;
• Ability to schedule and facilitate group sessions;
• Ability  to  effectively  communicate  with  all  types  of  staff,  including  technical,  professional,  and  upper management;
• Strong problem identification and problem resolution skills;
• Ability to create and edit project documents, materials, and presentations;
• Capacity to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing;
• Highly effective project management, prioritization, multi-tasking, and time management skills to meet deadlines;
• Proven team player who demonstrates flexibility and adaptability;
• Ability to work under minimal supervision;
• Commitment to cultural reclamation practices;
• Knowledge and understanding of community resources available for families;
• Strong  organizational  skills,  computer  proficiency,  excellent  communication  both  written  and  oral,  and professional work behaviour;
• Must be respectful, sensitive, and responsive to gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status and sexual orientation as demonstrated in ability to communicate and interact with other staff, parents/guardians and youth;
• Exemplify the qualities of honesty, integrity, fairness, empathy, patience and trustworthiness when dealing with youth and their families;
• Strong  interpersonal  skills  with  the  ability  to  engage  and  to  establish  working  relationships  as  a  means  of achieving goals and affecting change;
• Current Emergency First Aid Certificate and CPR
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certificate is an asset
• Clear Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse Registry Check and Prior Contact Check

Hours and remuneration:

The Employee agrees to fulfill a 35 hour per week commitment. SNA agrees to pay $18.70 per hour for a 25 hour work week on a bi-weekly schedule, with hours paid as worked. Required CPP, EI, and tax deductions will be made and employer contributions will be paid. Responsibilities may require flexible hours to be worked (i.e., evenings and weekends and overnights).