Child and Youth Worker
Why Work for SOAR Community Services
About SOAR Community Services
SOAR Community Services (formerly St. Leonard's Community Services) has been an established part of the community for more than 55 years, and is accredited for our excellence in serving children, youth, adults, and families.
Our Values
These aren’t just “lip-service” to us – we work and live by them. If you do, too, we want to talk to you!
- Inclusive – we value everyone and their unique perspectives and journeys
- Compassionate – we care about our clients, our staff, partners, and the communities we serve
- Collaborative – we work together to support our clients and community
- Integrity – we hold ourselves accountable and are fair, trustworthy, and dedicated to our mission to empower people to achieve their vision of independence, health, and wellbeing
- Innovative – we are open to change and continuous improvement
- Genuine – we are honest, respectful, and authentic with our clients, each other, and our partners
- Optimistic – we believe that everyone can accomplish their goals
- 40 hours/week
- Tuesdays – Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Duties
George House is a safe, supportive, bed-based program for youth aged 14–16 navigating complex challenges. We embrace a harm reduction philosophy and work closely with internal and external partners to deliver coordinated, compassionate, and high-impact care.
As a Child & Youth Counsellor, you’ll be a key part of a dynamic team helping youth build resilience, develop life skills, and move toward brighter futures. Your role includes:
- Using Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) techniques to support and guide youth
- Supporting youth in achieving goals through our Client Service Model Using a harm reduction approach to meet people where they’re at
- Advocating for youth and helping them build their own advocacy and assertiveness skills
- Facilitating life skills groups and one-on-one sessions focused on problem-solving, anger management, and coping strategies
- Communicating with families and referral sources to ensure transparency and collaboration
- Monitoring and documenting medication administration
Qualifications
- Diploma in Child & Youth Work or Social Services (preferred)
- 2+ years of experience (including placements) supporting youth with complex needs—mental health, substance use, homelessness
- Tech-savvy with MS Office and database skills
- Accessibility to reliable transportation
- Resilience and emotional awareness to manage vicarious trauma
Eligibility
Start date: August 14, 2025
Benefits
- Employee Assistance Plan for wellness
- 3 weeks’ vacation, 60 hours personal leave time and 15 hours of wellness (pro-rated 1st year)
- Participation in RSP/TFSA plans for all staff, with Agency pension match
- Wellness activities to support your mental and physical health
- A workplace that prioritizes your safety and well-being
- Group health, vision, dental and travel insurance plans where premiums are 100% paid by the Agency for Full Time staff
How to Apply
Email: lisa.essey@soarcs.ca or recruit@soarcs.ca
Start date: August 14, 2025
Apply by: August 11, 2025 Reference: FT CYC-GH
Our Commitment to Job Seekers
St. Leonard’s Community Services Inc. is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wyandot, the Haudenosaunee, and some of the Ojibwa Nation. The territory is mutually covered by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this community, on this territory. We also acknowledge that the settler population has been able to benefit from this beautiful land. We are all treaty members and will strive to act in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and center their voices.
The Agency values the diverse and intersectional identities of its clients and staff. The Agency regards equity and diversity as an integral part of excellent community service and is committed to accessibility for all staff. The Agency seeks applicants who embrace our values and beliefs around respect for the dignity and diversity of our clients, staff, and community. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
The Agency encourages applications from all qualified individuals. If you are an applicant with disabilities and require accommodations, please let us know at the time of our contact so that we may arrange for their provision.
Personal information submitted will only be used for the purposes of the competition in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.