Organization: Winnipeg Inner City Missions is a faith-based organization that values both Christian and Indigenous religious and world views. Our mission is to embrace all people in Winnipeg’s inner city and inspire life-long learning and build social and personal well-being.

Job Title: WICM Child/Youth Worker for After School Programs Assistant

Job Summary:     Our Children and Youth programs include an afterschool program for children and youth ages 6-14 living in the North End of Winnipeg. We require a compassionate, energetic, committed Program Assistant to join our team. He/she will develop positive relationships with the WICM staff, immediate supervisor and the children and youth who attend the programs. We are looking for someone who loves to interact with children and youth; can plan and prepare activities; initiates clean up and involves children and youth in daily activities.

This is an afterschool program with afternoon and evening work hours, Monday to Thursday.

Supervised by:    After-School Program Co-ordinator who collaborates with the Executive Director on supervision

Works with: The Child/Youth Worker works collaboratively with other Program Assistants. As well, the Child/Youth worker maintains relationships with off-site WICM employees

Job Duties, Responsibilities and Essential Functions: Comes to work on time. Remains until all children/youth are home safely, and the building is clean, tidy and secure

Adheres to all Provincially legislated mandates regarding the well being of children such as the Child Welfare Act of Manitoba as well as the Presbyterian Church in Canada and WICM policies and procedures. As well, the Child and Family Services Act of Manitoba and in Privacy legislation such as the Freedom of Information and Personal Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA)

Maintains and fosters positive relationships with program participants and their care providers

Must have computer skills with proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office bundle of programs and be able to use office equipment such as telephones, facsimile.

Will carry out job tasks in a collaborative and team focused manner

Will use positive discipline methods; is firm yet loving

Will be physically fit and will interact and play with children/youth in a variety of settings (enjoys swimming, baseball, gyms, being outside in the winter for activities such as skating, sliding etc.)

Will share in the planning of activities offering ideas with a willingness to lead

Make sure that healthy snacks (based on Canada Food Guide) are prepared for children in compliance with Food Handling policies and that food is distributed to all participants being aware of the potential for food allergies

Pick up children at their schools; settle, direct and manage children as they come to Flora House and while they are participating in programs; use peaceful conflict resolution

Ensure and support children while they are doing their activities by constantly moving from child to child; will encourage and assist children with homework; challenge them to do and be their best

Must be able to recognize when children are having trouble or are presenting as struggling with problems

Ensure that all children are safely put into vans and accounted for when transporting children to and from activities that take place away from Flora House;ensure the safety of all children according to WICM policy and all Provincial Laws and regulations

Will clean the facilities including kitchen, bathrooms, floors in compliance with health code standards

Qualifications:

College Certificate in Early Childhood Education (ECEII, III) or Youth Care Diploma from a recognized College or University or at least 5 years relevant experience (minimum High School Diploma and children and youth experience)

Valid Food Handling, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, 1^st Aide, required

Class 4 Drivers License an asset or willing to get one; Must be able to operate a motor vehicle in the province of Manitoba according to all applicable Highway Traffic Act and Safety legislation

Must Have a Criminal Records Check and a Child Abuse Registry

Must have proven organizational and communication skills

Must have knowledge of what it means to be a supervisor

Additional Knowledge an Asset

An understanding of the effects of colonization on the indigenous people in Manitoba and specifically how this effects the children and families who WICM provides services too. Included in the effects of colonization are the ongoing effects of the Residential School experience on indigenous people, families and communities, the impacts of a marginalized history within the Criminal Justice, Child Welfare and Health systems that exist within Manitoba

An understanding of both Christian and Indigenous spiritual values, beliefs and practices including the teachings found within the Bible, the Indigenous Medicine Wheel and the Seven Sacred Teachings of the Anishinabe

An understanding of cognitive, behavioural and mental health challenges such as ADD, ADHD, ODD, CDD, FASD, Attachment Disorder, Depression, substance abuse, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among may others as they impact the children families and community that WICM provides services to; issues around substance abuse, child protection, gang culture and economic, political, social and spiritual marginalization.

Position start date: mid-September

Please send a cover letter and resume to: Ruth Magnuson, Executive Director at wicm@wicm.ca by September 4^th at 4:00pm. Late resumes will not be accepted. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

My name is Edwin Romero. I am 39 years old, a current resident at Place of Hope, and part of the 1^st Steps to Employment Program. I am in recovery from alcohol and substance abuse and have been sober for over 4 years now.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Place of Hope and the wonderful people who work here. They are helping to make great changes in those who wish to better their lives. Thank you Crystal, Susan, Rev. Margaret and Ida.

I recently graduated from CDI College in the field of Addiction and Community Service Worker, a 16 month full time course.

I have been living at Place of Hope since August 2015 which is when I started at CDI College. I was so happy to be in a safe and sober place through my early recovery years. This environment has been the key to my success in completing my secondary education and also in staying clean and sober. I have no words to express how grateful I feel to be at Place of Hope.

I made a mistake when I left Place of Hope in April 2017. I was not ready to leave. I was accepted back 10 days after I left. I don’t know where I’d be now if Susan had not offered those keys to my suite; if Crystal had not been checking in on me and; if Rev. Margaret had not approved my re-entry. We have a great community here that’s well organized. Their support while I was in school was so helpful. My first language is Spanish, academics were not easy for me and learning English was hard. Sometimes, Susan brought food right to my door. Crystal was there to listen to me and empower me during my times of frustration.

The staff understand that we make terrible mistakes yet help us to turn our lives around. Ten years ago, I got a DUI (driving under influence) following a staff Christmas party and some other police charges that put me in the Criminal Record loop. Finding a job has not been easy because of this. I was addicted to alcohol.

I have since completed the full addictions recovery course and got my driver’s license back. With the support of staff, I am in the process to remove my criminal record. I graduated in June 2017 from a CDI and I have a job at the front desk of a Winnipeg motel. I have been transformed.

We need programs like this in our community! I thank all the donors and people who contribute to  Place of Hope and the 1^st Steps to Employment Program. To have a better society, we need the place and time to deal with underlying issues. Thank you for the opportunity to do this in my life!

-Edwin Romero Flores

The positive change in behaviour and confidence levels seen in the children and youth in our programs is one of the biggest motivational factors to insure these programs continue to exist. Brad Calder and Nicole Langlois run our Children’s Program (ages 6-10), Youth Program (ages 10-14) and the Summer Day Camp at Flora house. The programs are geared to encourage ongoing personal growth and to help develop skills in math, English, science, sports, the arts, nutrition, and computers.

Together Brad and Nicole play an important role in providing the neighborhood with a safe place where their children are steered away from crime, drugs and unfortunate situations that occur commonly in this neighborhood. Brad and Nicole are addictions and community service workers who help counsel and educate the children in making better decisions. They spend their time insuring the children follow the scheduled activities and develop their skills.

We would love to take these children to more outings so that they can experience a world outside of their own however a lack of funding has been a large barrier. One of the hopes Brad has for this program is to increase staffing to exceed the capacity of 12 children per program. He hopes that in the future Flora House can acquire funding to create a similar program for 15-17 year olds, so that the youth in the current program can continue to be guided towards a more fulfilling life at a age where outside influences are at their height.

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