360°kids is a vitally important community agency serving all of York Region. We have been a leader in the delivery of innovative support services for more than 35 years as we work to improve the lives of unhoused and marginalized youth and families in York Region. At 360°kids, we provide a unique continuum of care approach with programs and services that are essential to the health and well-being of youth. These proven strategies help to keep youth safe by providing stable housing options with 360° wraparound supports.
The Youth Strategy Lead will oversee all aspects of the planning process and in delivering the work plan activities of the Youth Homelessness Prevention and Housing Stabilization Strategy. This will involve developing a system of care that includes service coordination and system transformation for youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness in York Region. Using a Collective Impact approach, the Youth Strategy Lead will work with stakeholders to develop and implement a cross sectoral strategy to prevent and end youth homelessness across York Region that includes community-based service providers, regional policy makers and researchers, decision-makers from government systems that impact youth homelessness, and youth with lived expertise of homelessness. The goal of the strategy will be to ensure youth receive timely supports to shorten their experience of homelessness and reduce the likelihood of re-occurrence.
Key Responsibilities :
- Develop process to engage youth with lived experience at all stages of development.
- Engage in a meaningful way, youth with lived expertise of youth homelessness in the planning and ongoing implementation of the youth strategy ensuring “nothing for them without them”.
- Communicate proactively with all involved partners to provide encouragement, and ensure participation in subcommittees.
- Support project teams (sub committee’s) ensuring that each partner understands their role and responsibilities.
- Foster a collaborative and motivating work environment.
- Maintain effective communication and working relationships with youth, external partners, and internal teams.
- Facilitate Steering Committee and subcommittee meetings and ensure that project objectives align with Youth Strategies goals and funder expectations.
- Implement and maintain project management best practices to ensure the quality and consistency of strategy deliverables.
- Engage a broad range of stakeholders, government systems and decision makers that impact youth homelessness.
- Coordinate activities of the steering committee and maintain ongoing liaison to ensure good governance, common agenda and vision to guide the strategy development activities.
- Adhere to the written Strategy that includes youth homelessness strategic framework and implementation plan.
- Address and resolve issues and conflicts. Provide project coordination support (note taking, meeting space, record keeping, ongoing communication).
- Monitor strategies progress continuously and make detailed scheduled reports on measurable items, such as milestones, KPI’s and deliverables.
- Prepare and present regular project status reports to senior leadership and other partners in the Steering committee.
Education and skills required :
CYW Degree / diploma or a related Human Services discipline or the equivalent combination of education and experience.Minimum two (2) years coordination experience and demonstrated experience working with street involved youth and awareness of homeless, sexual, mental health, abuse, and addiction issues youth face. Experience in the related Human Services discipline relevant to the Youth Strategy.Experience with risk management and quality assurance processes.Familiarity with financial management and budgeting principles. Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and priorities.Current vulnerable sector screening (criminal background check), car and valid driver’s license with a clean driver’s abstract.Demonstrated capacity to negotiate with a variety of community stakeholders, excellent written and oral communications skills and interpersonal skills.Proven strong project management skills with ability to multi-task and set priorities within tight timelines.Strong administration and leadership skills and experience in the non-profit environment including motivation, delegation, coaching / mentoring, empowerment and demonstrated initiative.Ability to make decisions and work independently, strong personal ethics, integrity, reliable, time management and organization skills.Excellent relationship building, communication and interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently in a dynamic, complex environment and organize time and workload effectively.Understands how to work with the community in a collaborative manner.An effective facilitator, ability to manage the feedback process, engage multiple stakeholders, identify and lead critical conversations and build consensus.Strong demonstrable oral and written communication with all levels of staff, the public and clients while maintaining objectivity.Strong computer skills (including MS Office Suite) and experienceAbility to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, project partners, community agencies and the public.Work as a team player promoting a positive, professional, productive work environment and conduct role with integrity and respect.Work collaboratively with other partners and model behavior that encourages a mutually supportive team environment.360°kids is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible organization. We are dedicated to having a workforce that reflects the diversity of York Region with a variety of perspectives and lived experiences. We welcome and encourage applicants from equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous, Black and racialized people, 2SLGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities and individuals with lived experience of homelessness.
Accommodation will be provided throughout the hiring process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Applicants that require accommodation during the recruitment process are encouraged to notify the People and Culture Department when contacted for an interview. We will work with you to meet your access needs in an equitable and inclusive way.
Upon joining 360°kids, you'll be welcomed into a fun and collaborative environment where we truly value our employees and want to see them succeed. We thank everyone for their interest and appreciate the time put into applying, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.