YOUTH MENTOR (Newcomers’ Centre)

Job Title: YOUTH MENTOR (Newcomers’ Centre)

Part-time positions (2) (17.5 hrs. per week)

Contract Start date: April 1, 2025; Contract End date: March 31st, 2026

Reports to: Senior Manager

DEADLINE TO APPLY: March 5th   2025

ABOUT ACSA COMMUNITY SERVICES:

Do you believe in a world where everyone has equal opportunities, where community support helps dreams come true? ACSA Community Services is your gateway to making this vision a reality. As a cornerstone of the community for over 50 years, ACSA has been dedicated to uplifting those in need.   We offer vital programs like youth empowerment initiatives, emergency food and housing services, and newcomer supports to help individuals and families thrive. We are diligent in supporting our neighbours in Scarborough, North York and York Region. By getting involved, you're not just giving aid; you're becoming a part of our mission to build a brighter, more equitable future.  

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The Youth Mentor supports marginalized newcomer youth by providing comprehensive needs and assets assessments, information, and referral services. This role focuses on empowering youth by fostering meaningful community connections to break social isolation, enhance resilience, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging.  The Youth Mentor is responsible for leading the YOLO Program—a transformative, peer support initiative designed to inspire young minds, build resilience, encourage knowledge-sharing, and promote self-improvement. Through this program, the Youth Mentor will create opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills, improve their mental and emotional well-being, and actively engage in their communities.  This position encompasses a multifaceted approach, including prevention and early intervention efforts, program development, and community outreach services targeting newcomer youth and their families. The Youth Mentor will also support the coordination of the Indigenous-Newcomer Connections, collaborating with community partners to promote reconciliation with the Indigenous community.

Refer to ACSA Community Services for more information about ACSA’s work. 

 ABOUT THE ROLE:

Program Development and Management

• Lead the YOLO Program (Youth Optimize Learning to Overcome), empowering newcomer youth and cultivating their spirit of resilience, knowledge-building, and self-improvement;
• Design and implement innovative strategies to engage and retain youth participation;

Mentorship and one-on-one support

• Provide one-on-one mentorship and settlement counseling to support youth in setting and achieving personal, academic, and career goals;
• Lead information mentorship sessions, cultural exchange, wellness retreats, life skills building through workshops, summer caps and recreational activities; 

Youth Engagement

• Facilitate culturally relevant workshops, events, and activities to address the unique challenges faced by newcomer youth;
• Engage newcomer youth in meaningful activities that will promote and enhance their skills, competencies and resiliency, including newcomer youth with disabilities, and youth from diverse communities (racial, cultural, sexual orientation, etc.);
• Develop a proactive positive relationships approach when connecting newcomer youth to referrals and support in the community and while planning, promoting and coordinating youth outreach services including ACSA’s satellite offices that host youth related activities and programming; 
• Support the Indigenous-Newcomer Connections program activities in collaboration with Indigenous led organizations and partners;
• Advocate for youth needs within the community and with service providers.
• Work closely with families to ensure holistic support;
• Work collaboratively and coordinate services with youth and their ecosystem, which may include parents, School Settlement Counselors, Health Promotion Officers, schools, police, other service providers;

Program administration

• Collect and analyze program data to measure impact and guide continuous improvement;
• Meet quantitative targets set by the funder and complete program administrative duties as required, ensuring that documentation and service statistics on OCMS are accurate and complete;
• Provide other services and carry out other duties as assigned.

Team Collaboration

• Collaborate effectively with members of the Newcomers’ Centre Team and the broader ACSA team to achieve shared goals.
• Actively participate in team meetings, organizational activities, and events hosted by ACSA to foster engagement and alignment.
• Exhibit a strong team-oriented mindset by supporting colleagues, contributing to a positive work environment, and demonstrating a commitment to collective success.

ABOUT YOU

• Graduate of Social Work, Child and Youth Worker, or  Social Service Worker Program 
• Past experience working with newcomer youth, high needs communities, and highly disengaged youth:
• Experience in building and creating new and existing partnerships; 
• Good understanding of Scarborough neighborhoods, local schools, the needs of newcomer youth who live in these areas, history and common knowledge about newcomer youth; 
• Demonstrated ability to work co-operatively and negotiate effectively within a multidisciplinary team of service providers;
• Ability to provide high quality, client focused service, delivered in a positive, 
• professional, compassionate manner;
• Demonstrated skills in providing Settlement counseling support; 
• Solid understanding and knowledge of issues such as newcomer needs and issues, diversity, inclusion, anti-oppression, anti-racism frameworks; 
• Excellent communication skills with youth and diverse organizations; 
• The ability to work with minimal supervision, to manage time effectively and to accept changes in the work environment;
• The ability to interact with tact, diplomacy and professionalism in a variety of settings with people of all backgrounds, classes and interests;
• Ability to work effectively and professionally under pressure;
• The willingness and flexibility to alter work schedules and regular duties, including working evenings and weekends;
• Ability to speaking another language is an asset;
• Writing and analytical skills and ability to provide quality reports within timelines.
• Strong computer skills and ability to teach digital literacy; 
• Valid Ontario G-class driver’s license and clean drivers abstract and access to a vehicle an asset;
• Current CPR an asset;
• Valid Police Records Check prior to starting employment.

Please apply via email (cover letter & resume in one attachment) to:

Attention: Jamillah T. Mananghaya, Senior Manager

Email: mjamillah@acsa.ca

(Please quote YOUTH MENTOR in the subject line of email)

No phone calls please.

ACSA is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and/or persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.  We thank all applicants for their interest in the position. However, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. If you are contacted by ACSA regarding a job opportunity and need accommodation throughout a hiring process, please contact Yamini de Costa at hr@agincourtcommunityservices.com. 

This address is for accommodation inquiries ONLY. Job applications sent to it will not be considered.