Recreation leader Jobs in Toronto, ON

Who we are

As the need for mental health services grows, Child Development Institute (CDI) continues to be the steadfast support and leading provider of specialized mental health services for children and youth aged 0-18 and their families. All of our services are guided by a strength-based approach that incorporates the family and the community in the journey of supporting children and youth.

Trusted with the mental well-being of our community's most vulnerable members, infants and children, all of our programming is backed by rigorous research. Science is the backbone which informs our work as we evolve alongside the needs of our community.

We are committed to providing services that are respectful of racial, cultural, religious, ethnic and linguistic diversity, as well as sexual orientation, age, gender and family differences. All our services are delivered by deeply caring and compassionate teams that guide children, youth and families along a mental health journey in a safe, respectful and welcoming space.

Who we need

Reporting to the Program Supervisor, we are hiring a Coordinator, Therapeutic Recreation Programs to join our team. In this role, you will oversee the daily operations of our Therapeutic Recreation Programs, including Camp Towhee and our Mindfulness Martial Arts programs. As the new Coordinator, Therapeutic Recreation Programs you will facilitate client intakes and assessments, coordinate group assignments, and provide support to program staff to ensure effective program delivery.

This is a full-time position requiring onsite work five days a week at our St. Clair Gardens location from September to May. From June 1 to August 31, the role transitions to overseeing our summer camp in Haliburton onsite for the summer. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends from September to May is necessary to accommodate clients participating in therapeutic recreational programs.

This is a chance to contribute to life-changing programs for children and youth as you work to align therapeutic program delivery with our mission, vision, and values.

Who you are

You believe in the benefits of intervention and therapeutic recreation programming that introduces safe spaces for play, challenging activities, socialization, cooperation, accountability, and outdoor adventure for children experiencing mental health challenges. You want the opportunity to connect children and youth to the therapeutic recreational programs that can supplement other interventions and therapies they attend. And you love summer camp!

As a Child and Youth Worker, Social Worker, Youth Counsellor, or Child Therapist, you have experience in an agency or private setting, in both recreational and therapeutic environments, supporting children and youth with learning disabilities and mental health challenges. In addition, you have leadership, relationship-building and organizational skills gained through coordinating and delivering recreational programming for participants up to age 18.

What’s in it for you

A meaningful purpose.You are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, youth, and their families. This is your chance to champion therapeutic recreation activities that build mental, social, and emotional resilience and wellbeing in children with mental health challenges and learning disabilities. You will work closely with families, receiving direct feedback that reinforces the profound impact of your work, while supporting a program that transforms lives.

The benefits of a camp experience.You are deeply committed to the camp experience and understand its transformative power. From guiding kids to push their boundaries and conquer fears to helping them grow through challenges, you are excited to create those profound, life-changing moments. You thrive in the outdoors and are eager to bring the unique energy and quirks of the camp environment to life. At Camp Towhee, you will lead and support camp staff to provide therapeutic recreation activities that leave lasting impressions on both campers and their families.

Personal and professional growth.This is an opportunity to join a dedicated, evidence-based child and youth mental health agency recognized for its commitment to excellence. Working alongside the Program Supervisor and a team of passionate individuals, you will hone your leadership skills, and strengthen your ability to coach and inspire others. You will have the deeply fulfilling experience of seeing campers grow over their time at camp and of contributing to a supportive and empowering team culture.

In this role, you will :

• Support and coordinate year-round therapeutic programs.Under the guidance of the Supervisor, Therapeutic Recreation Programs, you will oversee the planning, quality assurance, risk management, and safe operation of CDI’s Therapeutic Recreation Programs. You will coordinate program logistics, manage waitlists, facilitate client intakes and assessments, and arrange group assignments. You will support registration processes and ensure effective service delivery while adhering to CDI’s vision, mission, values, and goals.
• Lead program delivery.You will support facilitation of Therapeutic Recreation groups, ensuring that programs are evidence-supported and grounded in a strong conceptual understanding of child development, family functioning, and therapeutic recreation interventions. You will actively participate in program development, evaluation, data collection, and research activities to continuously enhance program quality.
• Collaborate and foster relationships.You will develop and maintain trusting relationships with families and their support networks, including community agencies, hospitals, and other stakeholders. You will liaise and consult with CDI staff and external professionals to ensure effective communication, referrals, and coordination of services.
• Ensure compliance and support administration.You will assist in monitoring equipment, inventory, and program expenditures to ensure Therapeutic Recreation Programs operate within budget. You will ensure all legislative, Ministry, accreditation, and Occupational Health and Safety standards are met. You will complete all client and program documentation in accordance with agency policies and procedures and participate in relevant departmental and agency meetings and committees.
• Prepare for and lead camp operations.While the year-round focus is on therapeutic program coordination, you will also prepare for and lead the delivery of Camp Towhee, a therapeutic summer camp, on a full-time live-in basis from June to August. Residing onsite in Haliburton, you will oversee camp operations, recruit and train 18–29 casual and contract staff, and ensure programs are delivered safely and effectively.
• Nurture a knowledge-sharing environment.You will stay current with evidence-supported studies on child development, therapeutic recreation, and family interventions, integrating this knowledge into program delivery and staff training.

What you bring :

Other Requirements

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