December 6th Fund Support Worker

The YWCA December 6th Fund provides interest-free loans to women leaving violent homes. The fund supports women in the Greater Toronto Area and the Region of Peel ad strives to remove some of the financial barriers that prevent women from their leaving their abusers. Women use the loans to establish themselves and their children in greater safety.

The December 6th Fund Support Worker is responsible for providing support and financial aid to recipients of the program and carries out the responsibities in accordance with the mission and policies of YWCA Toronto.

Reporting to the Manager of YWCA Arise and December 6th Fund, the December 6th Fund Support Worker’s responsibilities include:

• Acts as the main service representative for the YWCA December 6 Fund to promote the program and give information to women about eligibility and other program details;
• receives loan requests, evaluates, negotiates, and approves loans to successful applicants in accordance with the Fund’s established service delivery guidelines, policies and specific procedures in the Policies and Procedures Manual;
• schedules and conducts loan meetings with successful applicants;
• actively promotes repayment of loans by maintaining contact with loans recipients;
• researches available community resources applicable to December 6 clients;
• provides support on issues associated with issues of trauma and the impact of violence;
• assists loan recipients with personal financial management and with establishing a realistic repayment schedule;
• works with women individually and/or in groups to establish a plan that will facilitate a safe and effective path to achieve economic independence by assisting them to set goals, follow through on plans, recognize options and make positive choices;
• ensures the confidentiality of client information in accordance with YWCA policies and procedures;
• co-ordinates, plans, implements and evaluates marketing and outreach materials and activities for the December 6th Fund;
• ensures the effective administration of loans by the tracking of loans, repayments, defaults and recipient follow-up;
• reconciles monthly bank deposits in co-ordination with the Finance Department;
• processes accounts payable and accounts receivable entries in  GP Dynamics and exports to the Finance Department;
• checks the monthly Finance Department ledger printouts and brings discrepancies to the attention of the Finance Department and the Manager and generates journal entries for corrections;
• prepares monthly loans reports for the Manager and assists with preparing other narrative and financial reports for the YWCA and the funders, as needed.

You will have:

• Knowledge of an academic or technical discipline normally acquired through completion of an Undergraduate Degree in social services;
• three to five years work experience working with women who have experienced trauma and violence;
• excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential;
• must exercise good judgment in handling confidential information;
• fluency is required in a variety of computer software programs, including Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) and database software;
• superior organizational and administrative skills;
• sound mathematical skills;
• experience working within a multicultural environment and with a diverse community of women and girls;
• ability to work to a deadline and to work independently;
• experience in a not-for-profit sector and knowledge of the dynamics of woman abuse and issues affecting women and girls.

Core Competencies: The employee is expected to:

• Engage in a self-reflective and collaborative practice that is non-judgmental and compassionate and reflects the mission of YWCA Toronto;
• incorporate principles of anti-oppression and equity in responding to the service needs of women and children and work toward removing systemic barriers to independence and wellbeing;
• demonstrate respect, consideration and acceptance of the opinions of others while expressing her own expertise and effectively utilizing relevant resources and specialists;
• consistently collaborate with team members, sharing ideas and differences openly;
• be receptive to new ideas and adapt to change as necessary;
• value the contribution of others and take action to strengthen partnerships and support others to achieve effective outcomes;
• take action to avoid or solve problems and create opportunities for positive change;
• demonstrate commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.

The hours of work for this position are 35 hours per week. The salary for this position is $48,933 per annum (Level 6), plus comprehensive benefits. Note: The incumbent will be required to travel within the community at least 40% of the time to meet with clients and to promote the program; a valid driver’s license and access to a motor vehicle is considered an asset.

Please note: A police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. This position is within the Bargaining Unit.

Please submit your cover letter and résumé by November 26, 2018 to: Nina Gorka, Director of Shelter and Girls’ and Family Programs. YWCA Toronto. 87 Elm Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A8.                    EMAIL: shelterjobs1@ywcatoronto.org

Please include JOB ID number DEC0149 and your name in the subject line of your email.

YWCA Toronto promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations. YWCA Toronto provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation.

While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  No telephone enquiries please. 

YWCA Toronto is a scent free environment.