Job Description

Support Housing Stability and Connection for Youth from Care

Who We Are:

Aunt Leah's Place is a nonprofit that helps prevent homelessness among youth aging out of government care and young mothers. Our

LINK Program

provides a continuum of support for young people, focused on offering housing outreach, life skills, and community connections -- a network of care that mirrors what parented peers might receive.

What You'll Do:

Aunt Leah's Link Program provides housing and life skills support to youth transitioning out of government care and to families at risk of homelessness. As a

Drop-In Support Worker

, you'll be a welcoming, steady presence at our housing drop-ins and workshops--offering guidance, practical support, and housing navigation to youth and young families. In this role, you'll help participants through housing transitions, goal setting, and tenancy education, while also fostering connection to community and vital services. You'll assist with rental searches, viewings, applications, move-ins, and eviction prevention--making sure no young person has to face these challenges alone. You'll also help plan and lead engaging group learning activities, create inclusive spaces, and be a consistent advocate for youth as they navigate complex systems and build their independence.

Who You Are

You bring empathy, resilience, and a genuine passion for supporting vulnerable youth. You have education and/or experience in Child and Youth Care, Social Services, or a related field. You're confident working independently, in the community, and in dynamic environments. You understand trauma-informed practice, youth development, and housing systems like the Residential Tenancy Act and Housing First. You're organized, flexible, and approach challenges with creativity and problem-solving skills.

Key Responsibilities

As a Drop-In Support Worker with Aunt Leah's Link Program, your work will be grounded in

housing stabilization

,

trauma-informed support

, and

community connection

. Your responsibilities will include:

Supporting Housing Transitions

- Help youth prepare for and maintain housing by assisting with budgeting, rental applications, viewings, move-ins, and eviction prevention.

Creating Safe, Inclusive Spaces

- Plan and facilitate welcoming drop-in sessions, workshops, and group activities that build life skills, confidence, and connection.

Building Trusting Relationships

- Use a person-centered, trauma-informed approach to offer consistent, caring support to youth and young families.

Providing Wraparound Support

- Connect participants to mental health, education, and employment resources, and liaise with landlords and housing partners.

Promoting Housing First Principles

- Ensure your work aligns with the six core principles of Housing First, including rapid access to housing, tenant rights, and community integration.

Collaborating and Communicating

- Keep clear case notes, attend team meetings, and maintain strong communication with colleagues, partners, and funders.

Staying Committed to Growth

- Engage in training and professional development, contribute to health and safety practices, and participate in an on-call rotation as needed.

Job Summary:

The Drop-In Support Worker is a key member of the Link Program team, which provides a continuum of supports to youth aging out of government care and young families at risk of homelessness. This role focuses on housing stabilization and outreach, using a trauma-informed and person-centered approach.

The Drop-In Support Worker holds a caseload of youth with lived experience in the child welfare system and provides support in diverse environments, including shelters, transitional housing, market housing, and community-based settings. The aim is to prevent homelessness and improve quality of life--offering consistent, compassionate support akin to what parented peers may receive.

Reports To:

Link Program Coordinator

Salary:

$24.50 an hour

Qualifications:

Diploma or degree in Child and Youth Care, Social Services, or a related field, or a relevant combination of education and experience Minimum 1-2 years of experience providing direct support to youth Strong general suitability for the role, especially in working with marginalized populations

Requirements:

Satisfactory Criminal Record Check (including vulnerable sector) Local Police Information Check Clearance as a Contracted Agency Caregiver through MCFD Level C First Aid with CPR Food Safe Certificate Agreement to uphold the Society's Code of Ethics Adherence to Aunt Leah's Practice Guidelines

Assets:

Valid Class 5 BC Driver's License and access to a vehicle with $5,000,000 business liability insurance Clean Driver's Abstract RentSmart Certification Mental Health First Aid Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certification

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA):

Strong verbal and written communication skills Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally safe practices Familiarity with the Residential Tenancy Act and Housing First principles Proficiency in computer applications and data entry Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team Problem-solving, crisis management, and de-escalation skills Cultural competency and an understanding of the systemic impacts of colonization and the child welfare system

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Direct Care - Drop In Housing Support

Facilitate and plan Housing Drop in activities Build trusting relationships with participants using a trauma-informed approach Assist with housing readiness, searches, viewings, applications, and tenancy advocacy Provide budgeting support and housing education Liaise with landlords and community housing partners Prevent evictions and support housing transitions (including re-housing, evictions, and dispute resolution) Conduct regular home visits and support participants during moves Refer to internal and external services (mental health, education, employment)

2. Direct Care - Housing First

Integrate the six principles of Housing First: Rapid access to housing with supports Choice in housing Separation of housing and service provision Tenancy rights and responsibilities Community integration Strengths-based, self-directed support

3. Direct Care - Program Activities

Facilitate and plan Housing Workshops and group learning activities
*

Inform and invite past participants to events and workshops Participate in drop-ins and co-facilitate groups as needed Follow up on referrals from internal staff and case managers Create and review service agreements Educate participants on entitlements and benefits

4. Financial Responsibilities

Submit receipts and maintain documentation for expenses (e.g., Float Card use) Ensure expenses align with program and organizational budgets

5. Health & Safety

Maintain clean, safe, and organized drop-in and office environments Participate in emergency drills and annual health and safety reviews

6. Professional Development

Engage in ongoing training and workshops Meet regularly with Link Program Coordinator to plan and prioritize outreach and administrative tasks

7. Communication

Internal:

Complete daily logs, case notes, outcomes tracking, and incident reports using the OTIS system Attend staff meetings and collaborate with internal departments Seek guidance in crisis situations and attend agency events as required

External:

Liaise with community partners and service providers Ensure participant engagement and outcomes meet funder requirements This role is funded by Reaching Home, BC Community Gaming Grant, and BC Housing

8. Confidentiality

Maintain strict confidentiality in all communication with youth Follow Aunt Leah's Society policies and Code of Ethics (including the CYCABC Code of Ethics, Privacy Policy, and UN Rights of the Child)

9. On-Call

Participate in the on-call rotation as scheduled Be available and responsive during on-call shifts, including in-person attendance if required

10. Physical Demands

Some lifting of heavier items (e.g., during housing set-ups or moves)

Working Conditions

37.5 hours per week, generally Monday to Friday with occasional evenings/weekends Work occurs both in-office and in the community Based primarily at the New Westminster office with possible work from the Vancouver office

To Apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter with salary expectation, quoting

LINK DROP IN WORKER

in the subject line. Short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. Thank you for your interest in joining Aunt Leah's Independent Life Skills Society!

We encourage qualified people of all gender expressions and identities, sexual orientations, visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities to apply if you are interested in supporting our mission and mandate and like what we have to offer.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $24.50 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

Casual dress Company events Dental care Disability insurance Employee assistance program Extended health care Life insurance Paid time off RRSP match Tuition reimbursement Vision care
Flexible language requirement:

French not required
Schedule:

Day shift Monday to Friday On call
Application question(s):

This position is NOT remote. This position is primarily worked out of our New Westminster Office; this position may require travel to various locations within Metro Vancouver. Are you able to meet this requirement? Yes or No
Experience:

supporting multi-barrier, vulnerable/ marginalized youth: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:

Standard First Aid (required) Food Safety Certification (required)
Work Location: In person