Neighbourhood Program Leader

At House of Friendship, we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have fun!

Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? It is!

Neighbourhood community programs bring diverse communities together in Kitchener Waterloo to improve community life and reduce poverty, isolation and food insecurity. The Neighbourhood Program Leader will work with Community Development Workers to implement food programs and plan and lead evidence-informed programs for children, youth and adults at community centres in Waterloo Region.

This is a permanent, casual (relief) position. Shifts scheduled as needed and as available, variable hours; weekly day and evening shifts and occasional weekend work. Must be available to work three (3) shifts minimum per month. Successful completion of a Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector) required pre-employment.

Key Responsibilities

Work with the Community Development Worker (CDW) and co-facilitator to plan, implement, and evaluate evidence-informed programs for children, youth, adults and families at one or more of the community centres

Programs may be run in person or virtually

Work with co-facilitator to set up and maintain program space and manage program supplies

Lead activities and supervise the children and youth who participate in the programs

Assist Community Development Worker (CDW) in leading and coordinating neighbourhood food programs

Support the CDW with managing lineups, participant concerns and requests, and communicating behavioural expectations at food programs. Refer escalated conflict situations to the CDW

Support the CDW to work collaboratively with partners to identify, invite, and support participant access to programs

Complete administrative tasks related to the programs, including registration, record keeping and tracking expenses

Participate in program evaluation, including administering surveys and assist the Supervisor in reporting to funders (i.e. provide data, stories, pictures to supervisor)

Must adhere to food standards and health and safety practices

Neighbourhood Program Leaders with Peer Health Training will provide outreach, social support, and resources to isolated parents; plan, promote and facilitate small group programs and activities for parents through peer-based and collaborative learning; and link participants with community partners and services

Job Specific Knowledge / Skills

Strong leadership, communication, and group facilitation skills

Good organizational skills, including the ability to manage a schedule, create program plans, track registration and expenses

Ability to work effectively with people of various abilities and cultural and income backgrounds with an understanding of the challenges faced by children, youth, and families living on a low income

Ability to work effectively and supportively with individuals and groups

Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team of staff and volunteers

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

Commitment to issues of poverty and social justice

Lived experience of living in poverty or low income preferred

Interest in and understanding of community development principles preferred

The ability to speak in a language relevant to our communities is an asset

Experience working within a non-profit and / or social services environment preferred

Previous experience working with volunteers preferred

Education / Experience

High school diploma required

Some post‑secondary training in social work, social sciences, recreation (or similar field) is an asset, with equal weight given to equivalent work experience

1-year previous experience working with children, youth and adults in a community development or social service role

1-year experience in program planning, implementation, facilitation, and evaluation

Critical Skills

Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected

Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem solving skills required

Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community members

Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs

Experience with and commitment to using an anti‑racism, anti‑oppressive and trauma‑informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service delivery

Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitude

Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and / or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental illness and other life challenges

Excellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics, planning and detailed record‑keeping

Compensation

At House of Friendship, we know that our team members are the key to the success of our organization and our ability to provide essential services to the community. In support of our mission and in alignment with our values, House of Friendship is committed to ensuring fair, market‑competitive, and rewarding compensation practices for all of our team members. We aspire to support our team members to create a great work environment where our team is able to thrive, succeed, and have a positive work experience.

House of Friendship compensation practices including our pay grid, have been developed using documented leading pay practices in the not‑for‑profit sector including Pathways to Decent Work (Ontario Nonprofit Network) and Ontario Living Wage Network. We value the experience that new team members bring to the organization and have a process in place to review previous related experience for placement on our pay grid.

We value the work that you do with fair pay and benefits :

Time off includes vacation pay and 2 personal days per year

Employee & Family Assistance Program

Rate of Pay

At House of Friendship all compensation ranges are categorized under a series of “grades” and we base our payment structure on internal equity. When determining rate of pay, a candidate’s past related experience will be taken into consideration.

Grade : 3

Min : $20.08

Mid : $21.80

Max : $23.51

Working Conditions

Must be able to lift 20‑50 pounds and stand for 3‑4 hours at a time

Variable hours – generally daytime, weekday hours, occasional evenings and weekends

Work will generally be on site at community centres throughout the region of Waterloo

May encounter participants at program sites who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and / or experiencing symptoms of mental illness

House of Friendship is open and inviting to qualified candidates with lived experience.

House of Friendship supports justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We strive to be a workplace free of harassment and discrimination and we are committed to removing barriers and being an inclusive, work environment. House of Friendship is a place where each person can bring their true selves and feel that they belong. We aspire to be an organization that is anti‑racist and anti‑oppressive so that our team, and therefore our community, can truly belong and thrive.

We invite applications from all qualified candidates and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and / or current barriers to accessing employment including, but not limited to Indigenous Peoples, members of racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

If you require accommodations to be able to participate fully at any stage in the recruitment process, including applying for this position, please let us know so that we can discuss accommodation options. Accommodations will be provided upon request.

If you are as passionate as we are about serving the community, let’s talk.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter here : https : / / house-of-friendship.hirehive.com / neighbourhood-program-leader-kitchener-on-JI0GUI

By end of day January 22, 2026.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not being used in the screening of applications.

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