CRISIS OUTREACH WORKER, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM

Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (DYBIA) advocates on behalf of approximately 2,000 member businesses and property owners in and around Yonge Street in downtown Toronto. The district is bounded by Alexander/Grosvenor streets to the north and Richmond Street to the south; Bay Street to the west and Church/Victoria/Shuter Streets to the east.

One of the DYBIA’s key strategic priorities is to create A Downtown Yonge that is Clean, Safe & Welcoming. As part of that strategic focus, the Safe & Inclusive Streets Strategy 2017provides guidance and context. The Community Engagement Team (CET), a dedicated street outreach and crisis response team, is a pivotal component.

From Summer 2018 until March 2020, the Community Engagement Team provided rapid-response support and non-violent crisis intervention throughout the Downtown Yonge neighbourhood, 7 days a week, 8 hours a day. The team was staffed by a combination of professional and peer outreach workers. In March 2020, the team was taken off the street due to the COVID-19 Pandemic but continued doing street outreach with a variety of community partners.

In July 2021, the Community Engagement Team resumed taking non-violent crisis calls from member businesses on top of providing more traditional street outreach services in the area. The CET Crisis Response Worker reports to the Team Lead who oversees the professional practice and day-to-day management of the CET itself.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

The role of Crisis Outreach Worker, Community Engagement Team, embraces four key operational areas:

1. Responding to non-violent crisis calls in the Downtown Yonge catchment area

Working in pairs, the Crisis Outreach Worker is responsible for:

• Responding to crisis calls from businesses within the Downtown Yonge neighbourhood, with a specific focus on street-front businesses;
• Where appropriate, providing recommendations and referrals that meet client’s stated goals, in collaboration with the Team Lead.

2. Engaging with a diverse range of community members and stakeholders, including member businesses, community agencies, people experiencing homelessness and street involvement

• Engaging with street-involved individuals in the Downtown Yonge neighbourhood through street outreach in order to build relationships and establish needs, with the goal of providing effective referrals as needed;
• Providing wellness checks, basic psychosocial and needs assessments, and basic supplies such as food and water;
• Building relationships with member businesses by checking in regularly, providing education and updates around issues in the neighbourhood and listening to member concerns.

3. Working closely with a range of different community stakeholders and partners

The CET works closely with a range of different agencies and partners in the neighbourhood, including other outreach teams and social agencies, police, corporate security teams and other appropriate stakeholders to find solutions to challenges around safety and inclusion in Downtown Yonge. This could include:

• Partnered outreach with Toronto Public Health, Streets to Homes, and Toronto Police Service, among others.
• Partnering to provide supports, resources or referrals for clients as well as for area businesses and other stakeholders.

4. Data collection and performance metrics

Reporting is a critical part of the role and involves collecting data on a daily basis to keep track of interactions, engagements and encounters as well as other relevant indicators, which may include but is not limited to:

• Number of referrals, and to what types of programs;
• Successful versus unsuccessful referrals;
• Number of crisis calls, and from which businesses; and
• Response times for crisis calls, length of time of calls, and outcomes.

The data collected supports ongoing funding of the program and allows resources to be allocated appropriately where need exists.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Appropriate combination of education and/or professional experience and/or lived experience with an understanding of trauma-informed outreach practices.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to work closely with both clients on the street and partners within the social services, policing, and public health sectors as needed.
• Strong team player able to work as part of a pair.
• Able to effectively conduct de-escalation interventions involving people who are agitated, have mental health challenges and/or exhibiting behaviours related to substance use.
• Problem-solving skills in identifying and referring individuals to resources.
• Work experience in the shelter or respite system within the City of Toronto a strong asset.
• Ability and/or work experience with a diverse range of partners (police, housing, business, residents) a strong asset.
• Demonstrable experience working in collaborative, cross-sectoral or multi-disciplinary teams is an asset.
• Able to judge when police or other emergency services are required.
• Willing and able to focus on professional development and skills development, as identified by the Team Lead.
• Willing and able to work flexible hours as required.
• Candidates must be First Aid trained, with certifications up to date.

HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELLBEING IN THIS ROLE

The health, safety, and wellbeing of those we bring onboard is of the utmost importance to us, and we take our responsibility to protect our employees very seriously. Given that this can be a physically and mentally challenging role with exposure to the elements, we ask the following:

· That our CET Crisis Workers complete a mandatory Vulnerable Persons Screening check, conducted by Toronto Police Services.

· That our CET Crisis Workers meet with their medical practitioner(s) once per year for a check-up, which will include the completion of a Functional Abilities Form. This completed form should not include a diagnosis or any private health information. It should provide us with helpful information about employee abilities and/or restrictions as they relate directly to the CET Crisis position.

· That our CET Crisis Workers use and/or wear all required personal protective equipment, including but not limited to any uniform, or weather appropriate clothing.

· That our CET Crisis Workers follow all of our health and safety related policies and protocols at all times.

*Please send your completed application, including cover letter and resume to Jan Krouzil, Team Lead, Professional Practice, Downtown Yonge BIA – jkrouzil@downtownyonge.com

**Deadline to Apply: Friday June 2nd, 2023 at 12 noon.

Resources:

DYBIA Website: https://downtownyonge.com/

DYBIA Safe and Inclusive Landing Page: https://downtownyonge.com/safe-inclusive/

DYBIA Safe and Inclusive Strategy PDF: https://downtownyonge.com/download-file/1543939759.28548-17/

Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Contract length: 12 months

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Paid time off
• Vision care

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Secondary School (preferred)

Experience:

• front-line: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2023-06-02

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