JOB POSTING for PEER STREET OUTREACH WORKERS



Queen West Community Health Centre, Toronto



Queen West Community Health Centre is a site of Central Toronto Community Health Centres (CTCHC). CTCHC is a non-profit, community-based health organization committed to improving the health of community members particularly those at risk from poverty and discrimination. Our multi-disciplinary approach includes the provision of primary health/dental care, counselling, harm reduction, community development, advocacy & innovative partnerships with other organizations. CTCHC is a leader in the development of inner city health services focuses on the needs of homeless and street involved youth under 25; Queen West focuses on adults, families and youth in the local area. CTCHC is a pro-choice and gay positive organization committed to employment equity and anti-discrimination. Queen West is fully accessible.



Preference will be given to Peers who have experience with homelessness and drug use and/or are from the 1st Nations, Asian and Portuguese communities.



Responsibilities:



* provide street outreach to street-involved drug users for one 5 hour shift per week in Queen/Bathurst area (shifts are Tuesday 5:00-10:00pm, Saturdays 8:00pm-2:00am & Sundays 4:00-9:00 pm)

* as a Harm Reduction team member, the Peer Outreach worker helps to plan new program activities



A Street Outreach Shift includes:

* handing out HIV prevention/ harm reduction materials & information, such as condoms, needles, safer crack use kits and safe piercing kits

* providing support, education, and referrals to health & community services

* preparing HIV prevention/harm reduction materials prior to street outreach shifts

* keeping track of supplies given out and the number of people met on a shift

* taking part in team talks about trends seen on a shift with staff, students & volunteers

* Peers are expected to attend a monthly meeting, as well as on-going skill building workshops



Qualifications:

* personal experience of drug use and being homeless/under housed in our catchment area

* knowledge & comfort working with Aboriginal communities, street youth, squeegee people, panhandlers, the homeless & under housed, injection drug users, sex trade workers, as well as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender/sexual people

* knowledge about crack & injection drug use issues

* volunteer or work experience with a needle exchange program is a bonus

* good people skills required, must be open, non-judgmental and willing to learn

* be able to ride a bicycle (shifts are done on bikes - Queen West provides bikes)

* must be willing to participate in our commitment to becoming a discrimination-free health centre

* Fluency in English is required. Ojibway, Cree, Mandarin, Cantonese, Portuguese or French is a bonus



Resume Hints:

* include any volunteer work you have done or workshops you have attended

* we want to know about street skills you have or your general life experience on the street

* your resume can be handwritten, but it must be neat and easy to read

* if you have any questions, drop by our Needle Exchange on Tuesdays from 1:30 -3:30 or call Barb Panter at 416-703-8482 ext. 115.



The position is a 12-18 month contract which is dependent on program funding and pays $10.40 per hour for a minimum of 5hrs/week . Please send resume to Barb Panter at 168 Bathurst Street, Toronto M5V 2R4, or fax to 416-703-6190 by 4:00 Friday September 16, 2005



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