Healing Our Spirits Coordinator - Youth Grief & Wellness

Job Description

Job Description

Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society (KAFS) is an Indigenous service delivery agency located in Kamloops, BC. Our team currently has 30 staff offering comprehensive services to the community from infancy to golden age in Kamloops for 50 years. Some of the programs we deliver include but is not limited to :

• Delivering family support services. We provide services in parenting support, nutrition education, pre- and post-natal care, infant programs, child and youth programs, school district support, anti-violence and family violence supports, and mental health crisis response.
• Providing services to our homeless relatives. Among other things, we have created a storage program where homeless people can temporarily store their belongings in a facility that is leased to us from the city of Kamloops. We have approximately 100 homeless clients who we work with, and we also offer harm reduction services, shower, and laundry services.
• Delivering substance abuse support services to people 15 years and older. We advocate for treatment beds and provide follow-up upon completion of treatment. We offer community-based treatment services.

All our programs are embedded in culture. We find that many of our clients are looking for this and appreciate cultural practices such as smudging and drumming that happen on a regular basis. We are governed by a volunteer board and bylaws. Each year we hold annual general meetings and present an audited statement to the membership and our funders.

The Healing Our Spirits program is a culturally grounded bereavement support program designed to provide healing and support to youth (ages 12-24) and their families who have experienced the loss of a loved one due to the toxic drug crisis. This program recognizes the intersection of grief, historical trauma, and cultural disconnection, providing a safe space for youth to navigate their loss through peer support, land-based healing, and culturally relevant approaches.

The Healing Our Spirits Coordinator will lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Healing Our Spirits program. The Coordinator will work closely with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, mental health professionals, community partners, and youth to create a supportive and culturally safe environment for healing. The role requires a deep understanding of grief, loss, and trauma-informed care, as well as strong facilitation and program coordination skills.

A DAY IN THE LIFE – ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Requirements

OUR “MUST HAVES” THAT MAKE YOU GREAT :

WORKING SCHEDULE :

Benefits

Preference will be given to applicants of Aboriginal ancestry as per section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code (please self-identity in your cover letter).