Dawn House Women’s Shelter, established in 1986 in response to Kingston's housing crisis, is a nonprofit entity born from collaboration among diverse community members and organizations. The shelter caters to women aged 18 and above, with or without children, offering a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter, advocacy, support, and resources.

Following funding cuts, Dawn House Women's Shelter temporarily closed in 2016. Yet, driven by resilience, swift action, and unwavering commitment, it resurged in 2017, providing Transitional and Long-Term Supportive Housing in the city's West End. The agency rebranded as Dawn House Services and Housing for women, coinciding with its reopening in October 2017.

This journey began with the creation of affordable housing for 16 women, marking the first step in an ambitious blueprint to combat homelessness among Kingston's women. Dawn House is dedicated to providing affordable housing solutions for women of all ages. As we embark on our next expansion phase, we warmly welcome dedicated, enthusiastic, and passionate individuals to join our dynamic team.

Working within a wrap-around service model, the Housing Support Worker supports residents and assists them in achieving their housing goals. Approaching your role with empathy, you'll cultivate a safe, culturally sensitive environment that values each resident. Collaborating with mental health professionals, case managers, and support teams, you'll empower women toward comprehensive well-being.

Tasks include advocating for housing, income support, and mental health services. Effective communication is key, both within the team and with external partners.

This is an exciting role in a developing setting, offering exciting opportunities to shape program development. Initiative and adaptability are essential.

Responsibilities

Operational Consistency and Values:

• Ensures consistent implementation of Dawn House philosophies, mandates, values, policies, and procedures in programs and services.
• Takes a team approach to client relationships and advocacy.

Administrative and Intake:

• Handles administrative tasks, including file organization and phone/email responses.
• Assists with resident intakes and immediate needs assessments.
• Inputs and updates HIFIS information.

Crisis Management and Support:

• Performs crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and risk mitigation.
• Provides support in life skills, organization, wellness, and medication education.
• Maintains confidential case management files and paperwork utilizing an electronic case management system.
• Demonstrates problem-solving skills in daily activities.

Collaboration and Advocacy:

• Collaborates with all staff for effective client support.
• Advocates for residents with external agencies and service providers.

Facility Maintenance and Guest Interaction:

• Assists residents with room cleaning/organizing as required.
• Packs up, cleans, and disinfects rooms in preparation for new residents.
• May affect minor maintenance repairs.
• Responsible for housekeeping-washing, sweeping, vacuuming floors; wiping and sanitizing surfaces.
• Greets guests, and donors, and organizes donations.

Problem-Solving and Flexibility:

• Provides life-skills learning opportunities to individuals and groups of residents.
• Responsible for preparing meals in accordance with the daily plan/availability of food donations/purchased items and keeping the kitchen clean and tidy.
• Organizes in-house events and leisure activities.
• Performs additional duties as required.

Education and Experience:

• Degree/diploma in Social Work, Social Sciences, Human Service, or related field, or equivalent education and experience.
• 1 year of service/people-facing experience (shelter, customer service, etc.).
• We value transferable skills and experience and are open to other variations of education, work, and lived experiences.

Skills and Principles:

• Resourceful and deeply curious with strong problem-solving skills.
• Committed to community-based social service and feminist principles.
• Proficient in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and related software.

Approaches and Competencies:

• Familiarity with wrap-around service and harm reduction philosophies.
• Effective conflict resolution, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience with diverse populations, including mental health, homelessness, etc.
• Excellent communication, conflict mediation, and interpersonal skills.

Ethics and Compliance:

• Holds an up-to-date CPIC with vulnerable sector check.
• Understanding of mandated reporting laws.
• Maintains confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Physical and Situational Abilities:

• Capable of lifting items up to 50 lbs.
• Adheres to privacy, safety, and confidentiality guidelines.
• Can respond to crises and take immediate action.
• Able to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Knowledge of universal precautions and identifying medical or situational emergencies.

If you feel that this role is right for you, please click "I'm Interested" to move to the next page and answer the application questions.

Our agency staff is very busy delivering support and programs to our current residents, we would ask that there be NO PHONE CALLS TO THE AGENCY PLEASE.

Note: These positions are female only relying on provisions of Section 23 of the Human Rights Act in setting the restriction. Dawn House supports and encourages diversity in the workplace.