Top Benefits
About the role
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title: Shelter Diversion Support Worker
Reports to: Housing Support Program Manager
Type of Position: Union. CUPE Local 4291
Located at: The Rose & local hotels
Hours of work: Casual- Day Shift, Evening Shift, Night Shift, Weekends, Holidays
Vehicle required
______________________________________________________________________
JOB DESCRIPTION
Adsum for Women & Children provides temporary emergency housing for women, families and gender-diverse folks, when safe, permanent solutions cannot be secured. The Shelter Diversion Support (SDS) Program manages support for people experiencing the housing crisis by providing access to hotel stays and on-going housing support services.
As a part-time support worker, you are responsible for responding to calls from community members who are experiencing homelessness and coordinating temporary shelter when necessary. In addition to providing direct service to clients, you will provide support at emergency housing locations including an on-site presence when needed. This support includes, but is not limited to, crisis intervention, conflict mediation, support with intakes and discharges to/from hotel. You will also provide support at The Rose where clients of the SDS program, with previous stays in hotel, are now in transitional housing. Adsum for Women & Children is committed to diversity, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Ensure the program delivery is congruent with Adsum’s mission, vision, and philosophy.
Work in accordance with Adsum’s policies, procedures, and philosophy of practice.
Work with women, families, and trans identified persons on their housing/goal planning.
Liaise and develop relationships with emergency housing providers in the HRM
Provide intake, assessment and referral services, assistance in accessing resources, crisis intervention and eviction prevention services, outreach, mediation for clients and their families in relation to the Shelter Diversion Support program.
Work in collaboration with other Housing Support Workers within HRM.
Advocate with community agencies to ensure that the needs, barriers and strengths of clients who are at-risk and homeless are addressed.
Conduct and/or participate in event planning for community and clients
Complete and maintain records, assessments, daily statistics and files, and ensure confidentiality is protected.
Compile statistics and data for clients accessing shelter diversion supports that will assist with the outcomes and evaluation of this initiative.
Assist in program and service development to ensure that quality, effective and client-centered programs and services are delivered.
On call duties in the SDS program.
Further duties may be required at the employer’s request.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Demonstrate high level of understanding of the issues of homelessness.
Demonstrate high level of understanding in a housing first model and approach.
Demonstrate skill using anti-oppressive practice (harm reduction, a client-directed approach and a social justice perspective).
Knowledge of mental health issues, and crisis intervention.
Demonstrate knowledge of Trusteeship programs and effective money management.
Demonstrated exceptional level of interpersonal, communication, client service and organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability to build appropriate and healthy rapport with at-risk and homeless women, families and trans identified individuals.
Extensive knowledge of community resources and the social service delivery system.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and using the Internet.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor of Social Work, or an undergraduate degree and Human Services diploma or other relevant undergraduate degree or lived experience expertise.
Registration or Candidacy for Registration, certification or membership of a related professional body (if applicable).
A minimum of 1 year experience working with at-risk and homeless persons providing case management and advocacy.
Experience in program development.
Experience working for a walk-in center or a non-profit organization is an asset.
Must have the following or be willing to acquire within the first 3 months of employment
o
Standard first aid / CPR Level ‘C’
o
De-escalation training
o
Harm reduction / naloxone training
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Can safely carry out the duties of the position including being able to lift supplies and physically support individuals with their belongings when needed.
Must be able to access and navigate different areas / hotels / housing / shelter including stairs and storage areas
Common hazards: conflict, sharps, bodily fluids, pests, cannabis or cigarette smoke
Job Type: Casual
Pay: $29.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking
Schedule:
- 10 hour shift
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Evening shift
- Holidays
- Night shift
- On call
- Weekends as needed
Work Location: In person
Expected start date: 2025-07-05
About Adsum for Women & Children
Adsum shelters and houses as many as 90 people each day and more than 400 persons in a year. Hundreds more use Adsum services and support without ever staying with us, often related to their basic needs for safe and affordable housing, food, clothing and connection.
Adsum has a long history of working with marginalized individuals and families who experience poverty and homelessness. At Adsum, we know first-hand how poverty, systemic discrimination, gender inequality, racism, disabilities, and trauma intersect and create layered barriers to securing stable housing. Adsum clients face diverse social and personal obstacles that include, but are not limited to; mental illnesses, lack of education, single-parenthood, addictions, and histories of trauma and violence. The folks we work with are managing complex life challenges, while negotiating systems that further contribute to their marginalization, such as criminal justice, community services, child protection, and immigration systems.
Adsum recognizes that the more marginalized an individual is, the more complex their experience of oppression will be, and the more likely they are to experience unstable housing and homelessness. We work from an anti-oppressive, feminist, trauma-informed framework.
Adsum works predominantly with women, who are more likely to be poor than men, and are more vulnerable to homelessness and unstable housing. Women's homelessness is directly related to women's disproportionate experience of poverty, systemic discrimination, gender inequality, and violence.
In 2008, Adsum instituted our trans-inclusion policy, recognizing that individuals who identify as transgender, non-binary, and gender-queer are especially vulnerable to discrimination in housing, and are vulnerable to violence in men's shelters.
Vision: Everyone has a safe and secure home.
Mission: To lead change in housing through advocacy, supports and services to end homelessness.
Top Benefits
About the role
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title: Shelter Diversion Support Worker
Reports to: Housing Support Program Manager
Type of Position: Union. CUPE Local 4291
Located at: The Rose & local hotels
Hours of work: Casual- Day Shift, Evening Shift, Night Shift, Weekends, Holidays
Vehicle required
______________________________________________________________________
JOB DESCRIPTION
Adsum for Women & Children provides temporary emergency housing for women, families and gender-diverse folks, when safe, permanent solutions cannot be secured. The Shelter Diversion Support (SDS) Program manages support for people experiencing the housing crisis by providing access to hotel stays and on-going housing support services.
As a part-time support worker, you are responsible for responding to calls from community members who are experiencing homelessness and coordinating temporary shelter when necessary. In addition to providing direct service to clients, you will provide support at emergency housing locations including an on-site presence when needed. This support includes, but is not limited to, crisis intervention, conflict mediation, support with intakes and discharges to/from hotel. You will also provide support at The Rose where clients of the SDS program, with previous stays in hotel, are now in transitional housing. Adsum for Women & Children is committed to diversity, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Ensure the program delivery is congruent with Adsum’s mission, vision, and philosophy.
Work in accordance with Adsum’s policies, procedures, and philosophy of practice.
Work with women, families, and trans identified persons on their housing/goal planning.
Liaise and develop relationships with emergency housing providers in the HRM
Provide intake, assessment and referral services, assistance in accessing resources, crisis intervention and eviction prevention services, outreach, mediation for clients and their families in relation to the Shelter Diversion Support program.
Work in collaboration with other Housing Support Workers within HRM.
Advocate with community agencies to ensure that the needs, barriers and strengths of clients who are at-risk and homeless are addressed.
Conduct and/or participate in event planning for community and clients
Complete and maintain records, assessments, daily statistics and files, and ensure confidentiality is protected.
Compile statistics and data for clients accessing shelter diversion supports that will assist with the outcomes and evaluation of this initiative.
Assist in program and service development to ensure that quality, effective and client-centered programs and services are delivered.
On call duties in the SDS program.
Further duties may be required at the employer’s request.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Demonstrate high level of understanding of the issues of homelessness.
Demonstrate high level of understanding in a housing first model and approach.
Demonstrate skill using anti-oppressive practice (harm reduction, a client-directed approach and a social justice perspective).
Knowledge of mental health issues, and crisis intervention.
Demonstrate knowledge of Trusteeship programs and effective money management.
Demonstrated exceptional level of interpersonal, communication, client service and organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability to build appropriate and healthy rapport with at-risk and homeless women, families and trans identified individuals.
Extensive knowledge of community resources and the social service delivery system.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and using the Internet.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor of Social Work, or an undergraduate degree and Human Services diploma or other relevant undergraduate degree or lived experience expertise.
Registration or Candidacy for Registration, certification or membership of a related professional body (if applicable).
A minimum of 1 year experience working with at-risk and homeless persons providing case management and advocacy.
Experience in program development.
Experience working for a walk-in center or a non-profit organization is an asset.
Must have the following or be willing to acquire within the first 3 months of employment
o
Standard first aid / CPR Level ‘C’
o
De-escalation training
o
Harm reduction / naloxone training
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Can safely carry out the duties of the position including being able to lift supplies and physically support individuals with their belongings when needed.
Must be able to access and navigate different areas / hotels / housing / shelter including stairs and storage areas
Common hazards: conflict, sharps, bodily fluids, pests, cannabis or cigarette smoke
Job Type: Casual
Pay: $29.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking
Schedule:
- 10 hour shift
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Evening shift
- Holidays
- Night shift
- On call
- Weekends as needed
Work Location: In person
Expected start date: 2025-07-05
About Adsum for Women & Children
Adsum shelters and houses as many as 90 people each day and more than 400 persons in a year. Hundreds more use Adsum services and support without ever staying with us, often related to their basic needs for safe and affordable housing, food, clothing and connection.
Adsum has a long history of working with marginalized individuals and families who experience poverty and homelessness. At Adsum, we know first-hand how poverty, systemic discrimination, gender inequality, racism, disabilities, and trauma intersect and create layered barriers to securing stable housing. Adsum clients face diverse social and personal obstacles that include, but are not limited to; mental illnesses, lack of education, single-parenthood, addictions, and histories of trauma and violence. The folks we work with are managing complex life challenges, while negotiating systems that further contribute to their marginalization, such as criminal justice, community services, child protection, and immigration systems.
Adsum recognizes that the more marginalized an individual is, the more complex their experience of oppression will be, and the more likely they are to experience unstable housing and homelessness. We work from an anti-oppressive, feminist, trauma-informed framework.
Adsum works predominantly with women, who are more likely to be poor than men, and are more vulnerable to homelessness and unstable housing. Women's homelessness is directly related to women's disproportionate experience of poverty, systemic discrimination, gender inequality, and violence.
In 2008, Adsum instituted our trans-inclusion policy, recognizing that individuals who identify as transgender, non-binary, and gender-queer are especially vulnerable to discrimination in housing, and are vulnerable to violence in men's shelters.
Vision: Everyone has a safe and secure home.
Mission: To lead change in housing through advocacy, supports and services to end homelessness.