Wellness Navigators –Arabic, Cantonese/Mandarin and Spanish speaking

Summary

Wellness Navigators –Arabic, Cantonese/Mandarin and Spanish speaking

Location: YMCA Employment & Newcomer Services
Pay: $22.71 p/hour plus YMCA Membership Benefits
Employment Type: Full time - (days, evenings and weekends)
Contract: Currently funded until March 2024 – possibility for annual renewal
Placement Date: Immediately

Why Work for the YMCA?
As a charitable organization, the YMCA of Niagara aspires to be a great workplace, committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, where different backgrounds, experiences, and identities are appreciated and celebrated. Guided by our shared values – caring, health, honesty, inclusiveness, respect, and responsibility - the YMCA provides our employees with meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health
of our communities.

NATURE & SCOPE

The Wellness Navigators will work in partnership with school boards, mental health and wellness agencies alongside newcomer children and youth and their families as they access support in the Niagara Region. Wellness Navigators will act as the liaison and will help facilitate access to care and resources and provide interpretation as required.
They will also conduct workshops focusing on educating newcomers about first responders and their support systems (CMHA/Victim Services, etc.)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Promote healthy mental health for newcomer families in the community.
 Fostering achievement by providing information and referral services to newly arrived families that are in need of wellness supports including those for physical, behavioural and mental health.
 Provide supports to create a culturally inclusive environment and build relationships within the programs available in the community to address specific wellness needs.
 Work alongside the designated SWIS worker working with the student and family.
 Support with interpretation services to remove barriers to accessing Wellness supports.
 Provide information to newcomer families about social service supports available to them and their children that enhance the settlement process when Wellness is not in balance. This includes accessing mental health services.
 Facilitate access to services and resources where there are barriers due to language, gender, age, culture,and race.
 Promote culturally sensitive links between community wellness support agencies and the newcomer families.
 Maintain up to date client files and statistical information and ensure the confidentiality of client information.
 Complete reporting in iCARE (government case management system) and assist leadership in preparation of narrative reports as required by contribution agreements.
 Conduct group sessions to community organizations supporting students/families.
 Other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

 University degree or college diploma in health/social sciences
 Must be fluent in English (reading, speaking, and writing)
 Must be fluent in a second language as defined by the contract (reading, speaking, and writing)
 Minimum two years’ experience providing wellness counseling and/or social services work within or outside Canada.
 Extensive knowledge of community resources
 Good interpersonal presentation and organizational skills
 Must have valid driver’s license and daily access to a vehicle, as travel around Niagara area is a requirement or the role.
 A clear and satisfactory criminal reference check inclusive of the vulnerable sector search (CRCVSS) issued for the YMCA of Niagara