Job Description

Company Overview

Thrive Social Services Society is a CARF-accredited agency dedicated to providing a comprehensive range of child, youth, and family services. Our mission is to empower families and individuals through various programs that promote mental health, community inclusion, and independence.

Summary

The Community Engagement Coordinator is focused on laying the foundation for a Foundry that will serve West Shore, Sooke and Port Renfrew region. We anticipate that Foundry will become operational in the next 1-3 years. This Foundry is part of a provincial network of Foundry's that offer a broad range of supports to young people aged 12-24 years and their families/caregivers. Services will be offered in a culturally inclusive environment with primary care, mental health and substance use supports, employment and education supports, and youth and family peer support. The Foundry Community Engagement Coordinator facilitates the Youth and Family Advisory Circles. They also plan, coordinate, and facilitate program activities and volunteers. This role supports community engagement by representing Foundry & Thrive at various community events, building relationships with individuals and a diverse network of community partners. They help build resources for the community and foster public awareness for Foundry through engagement and marketing efforts, and support fund development. This position is responsible for connecting with youth and their families and informing Foundry Manager/Director and working groups about the perspectives of youth and families in the region. They will also work alongside the Foundry Manager/Director to help Foundry West Shore, Sooke & Port Renfrew in service planning.

Responsibilities

1. Engage and collaborate with diverse community members and Foundry partners

a. Organize advisory circles, feedback sessions, individual and group meetings to ensure meaningful engagement, integration of Indigenous perspectives, and inclusion of equity-denied voices.

b. Work collaboratively with community partners by organizing presentations and giving out Foundry and Foundry Virtual information in each community.

2. Organize & lead Advisory Circles

a. Plan, coordinate and facilitate program activities and special events.

b. Facilitates volunteer activities including regularly scheduled meetings of Youth and Family Advisory Circles, including planning logistics, putting together agendas, creating documents/reports on the group activities and objectives, scheduling guest speakers, and hosting various education and training sessions. This task also requires travel to various meeting locations and work sites.

c. Organize advisory circles, feedback sessions, individual and group meetings to bring youth and family voices, opinions, and lived experiences, to planning tables.

d. Establish rapport and build positive relationships with youth and their families, including youth with varying levels of mental wellness, substance use Group facilitation, leadership and coaching to direct and encourage participation from others.

e. Recruit members to the youth and family advisories. Promote the opportunity to target audiences through the network of partners, social media, local media and provide recruitment and on-boarding supports to the Foundry Manager/Director.

f. Acts as a conduit between Advisories and other Foundry committees and stakeholders.

g. Ensure terms of reference, and all relevant documentation for each group are implemented, followed, and kept up to date.

3. Makes recommendations to the Foundry Manager/Director regarding program development, service delivery, and project implementation

a. Engage Advisory members and community to identify needs and wants for Foundry location, development and service delivery.

b. Develop surveys and engagement tools to pulse check our community and develop communications and plans to respond and support identified needs.

c. Synthesize feedback into clear, actionable recommendations.

d. Promotes the development of culturally inclusive services.

4. Promotes awareness of Foundry

a. Promote public awareness and support for the program by helping to develop and deliver public presentations and attend community events.

b. Presents updates about Foundry project progress and activities to inform and gather input from advisory committees and stakeholders.

c. Support Advisory members to become ambassadors for broader engagement from their communities.

d. Coordinates Foundry involvement in community events, presentations and media opportunities where relevant in collaboration with Manager/Director.

e. Attend public and community events such as career fairs, educational presentations, networking events, farmers markets to promote public awareness about Foundry services.

f. Transport and distribute promotional materials at events, set up and take down booths as necessary.

g. Create and develop social media content, utilizing support from the Advisory groups and the Manager/Director.

h. Prepare quarterly newsletter for distribution with Manager/Director.

5. Administrative and Financial

a. Perform administrative functions, including writing reports, producing documents and presentations, leading or supporting policy development, and ensuring adherence to policies.

b. Hold, distribute, and reconcile honorarium funds for group participants in different forms i.e.: cash, gift cards, electronic funds, cheque, etc.

c. In collaboration with the Manager/Director, monitor and evaluate program performance and make necessary changes to improve performance outcomes.

d. Maintains statistical data as required by Manager/Director and funders.

e. Attend regional, provincial, or larger Foundry network meetings to represent Foundry Centre.

6. Reports to the Foundry Manager/Director

a. Provide regular updates to the Manager/Director.

b. Provide written reports on youth and family engagement activities quarterly.

7. Develops and participates in different programs and activities, including outreach, professional development, etc.

a. Engages in activities such as participation at community events, media coverage, promotions, funder interactions and fundraising.

b. Participates in sustainable local and regional coordination which includes regular review, feedback and implementation processes, in collaboration with Thrive, Foundry and Foundry Central Office.

c. Participates in on-going professional development, including but not limited to youth and family engagement, facilitation, integrated youth services, and decolonization.

8. Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

Secondary School Diploma or equivalent.

Two years of work or volunteer experience working with youth and their families, in a related field, or equivalent.

Current certification in Emergency First Aid with CPR-C

Safe driving record and valid BC driver's license with access to a safe and reliable vehicle with business use insurance ($5m liability).

Job Type: Seasonal
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: $29.00-$29.17 per hour

Expected hours: 15 per week

Benefits:

On-site parking
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-07-18
Expected start date: 2025-08-11