Note that this is a temporary position for 3 months, with the possibility of extension.
Being a Housing Support Worker at Marguerite’s Place means being ready for anything. Whether that be an evening of chatting with residents and building a puzzle or supporting someone through a moment of crisis or simply sitting around to tea and cookies. Everyday can look different, but you will be empowered to develop and build programming that supports the needs and interests of residents, to grow in your knowledge and understanding of harm reduction, and to be part of a team working together to support people who have found a home at Marguerite’s Place.
Marguerite’s Place is a supportive living program for single women over the age of 30, providing 24- hour, 7 day per week on-site support and programming for residents.
The Housing Support Worker reports directly to the Marguerite’s Place Program Coordinator and serve as a part of the circle of care for residents. This position requires working alone. Closing Date: 30 December 2022, 4:00PM Newfoundland time. Please email a cover letter and resume to: hiring@sjwomenscentre.ca Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Marguerite’s Place Supportive Housing Program is a 3-year transitional supported living program for women (trans and cis women) and non binary people delivered from a housing-first approach, within a safe and secure environment. It is operated by the St. John’s Status of Women Council and has 24 hour staffing on site. We invite interested persons to learn more about us by reviewing our application package or by contacting us at: (709)753-0220. Please note that Marguerite’s Place housing mandate is ages 30 plus and we welcome applications from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
Applications close 20 November 2022, but will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Please forward applications to: mpapplication@sjwomenscentre.ca For further information or inquiries, please contact Joyce at 753-0220.
Reflections from our outgoing supportive housing coordinator, Nikki Browne
After three years of working with the St. John’s Status of Women Council, our amazing Marguerite’s Place Supportive Housing Coordinator has decided to move on. Before she left though, I sat down to ask her a few questions about her role and learn from her years with the organization. As usual, Nikki made me laugh, cry a bit, but also reminded me of the passion she brings to the organization and how that has made us better everyday.
Thinking of filling her shoes? Read on to learn more about her role, about the importance of taking a trauma informed approach to community work, and about the importance of meeting people exactly where they are when providing support.
If you had to describe your job in just 3 words, what would they be?
Dynamic, flexible, life-long-learning
What is the hardest part of your job?
Working for a chronically underfunded women and non-binary serving organization means we always have to do a lot with little. The pressure to meet the needs of the amazing residents, my wonderful colleagues, and the larger community can be challenging. This work is complicated, but I know that it is also worth it.
What is the part of your job that you like the most?
Watching true harm reduction improve people’s lives because they are accepted for who they are, where they are.
What type of personality do you think the new MP Program Coordinator should have?
You have to have a sense of humour; humour is a great tool to build relationships. You have to be interested in the lives of the people you work with so they know that they matter to you. You have to have great boundaries and be able to manage expectations – expectations of residents, colleagues, and your own expectations of yourself. You have to be the type of person who doesn’t want to sit at a desk all day – you are outside, you are in apartments, you are taking out the garbage, you are cleaning up a mess, you are always on the go. Time management is key and being able to prioritize competing demands is vital. You have to be willing to admit when you are wrong or when you could do better, learn, forgive yourself, and move on.
It’s hard work, but it really builds your confidence. Once you hit your stride in this role, you feel great. Some days you leave and feel like you took care of business and some days you leave needing to decompress and shut off your brain. Both are important learning experiences.
What types of career development or learning opportunities were important for you in this position?
I’ve learned that when it comes to supportive housing and supporting people who have faced extensive barriers in their lives, ensuring that people feel safe, have a roof over their head, and are surrounded by people who see the best in them helps in unimaginable ways. They just need a break, which is one of the simple things people receive here at Marguerite’s Place, and it changes everything. People need compassion. Compassion in social services. Compassion in housing. Compassion in mental health supports. Compassion in every area of their lives.
I learned how to be a trauma informed supervisor with staff and in my support for residents. Working in a trauma informed way takes time, emotional energy, you have to be present, you have to anticipate things. This work is hard and being trauma informed helps people feel better about their workplace. Working in systems that often uphold oppression and put barriers in place that stop people from reaching their goals – we need to be there for each other.
I knew some of this already, but I learned more about making space for hard conversations and holding each other accountable, while also understanding that we’re all in different places in our learning.
What I’ve learned is the duality of existence. So many things can be true at once. We have to believe people, believe their truth in each moment.
I also learned how to take care of plants thanks to my colleagues – a very important skill!
What is the next big thing for Marguerite’s Place?
Learning how to walk the walk and figuring out how to manage the resources so that people can do it right. We have strong values here and for a long time we were meeting the needs of white, hetero, cis-gender women who were facing barriers in their lives. We need to serve all women and non-binary people in this community and so we need to do a lot of work around anti-racism and meaningful inclusion. We learn from many people in our community, but we need to ensure our practices are completely in line with our values. We can’t just talk the talk. We need to walk the walk.
The other big next step for Marguerite’s Place is to build the ways in which we value and make room for lived and living expertise. There are some things you just can’t learn from a book. Lived expertise is just as important if not more important than what you can learn from a book and people with lived expertise can help us to get this right. This can be challenging, but it is worth it.
The mission of the SJSWC is to work to achieve equality and justice through political activism, community collaboration and the creation of a safe and inclusive space for all women and non-binary people in the St. John’s area. Can you tell me about a time when you felt that mission in your work?
I really felt that mission in my work when we piloted the Managed Alcohol Program (MAP). There are other provinces doing this work and we learned from it and tested managed alcohol here at Marguerite’s Place. The team at Marguerite’s Place took on this initiative and rode that learning curve as we tried to make it work. This is a single staffed team and taking on something this new is hard. But they knew it had to be done and everyone leaned in together.
After that initial trial, we were able to secure the funding needed to make this a full program. Watching MAP evolve to where it is now – that is where I see our mission every day. We started it for women and non-binary people and the truth is that it is not often that programs are built for those in our community who are facing the most barriers in society. This is the mission in action. This is harm reduction.
Harm reduction has to be political. It tells us to treat people with the inherent dignity they are born with. At the St. John’s Status of Women Council, we don’t place our individual values and expectations on people.
Is there anything else that you would like to share?
I couldn’t have done this work, started the managed alcohol pilot or really built the program as it is today without the guidance and support of Raylene Noftall (the former Marguerite’s Place Supportive Housing Coordinator) and Laura Winters (the former Executive Director of the St. John’s Status of Women Council). They are such smart and thoughtful women. They have both left, but their passion has left the organization in a good place and now in your (Lisa Faye, current Executive Director) steady hands. I see an amazing future for the St. John’s Status of Women Council and for our supportive housing work. The future is hopeful.
The team at the St. John’s Status of Women Council thank Nikki for her time, her passion, the ways she inspires us, and for saying the hard things that need to be said to make our work better every day. We also wish her the very best in her next challenge and we know that she will be bringing her important skills and her compassion to the community in new ways.
Lisa Faye, Executive Director, St. John’s Status of Women Council and Women’s Centre
A day in the life of the Marguerite’s Place Program Coordinator could include anything from starting the day drafting plans to support a resident in working with a Managed Alcohol Program, planning for prison inreach visits in Clarenville, spending the afternoon writing a proposal for a garden space for residents, and supporting housing workers to gain new skills and develop new programming based on resident needs. No two days will be the same in this position, but it will be fulfilling, you will know you are doing important work, and you will be part of a team that believes in balance, harm reduction, and approaches all of their work with an intersectional feminist perspective.
Closing Date: 15 March 2023, 6:00PM Newfoundland time.
Please email a cover letter and resume to: hiring@sjwomenscentre.ca
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
We are currently hiring for our Marguerite’s Place Supportive Housing Program. We’re looking for two women to join our team, one in a relief position and the other in a one-year temporary, full-time position with the possibility of extension. If you would like to work in a feminist, trauma-informed environment and are passionate about supportive housing and housing first approaches, we look forward to hearing from you!
The rate of pay for the Temporary Housing Support Worker position is $22.89/hr. The rate of pay for the Relief Housing Support Worker position is $20.68/hr. Closing date June 21, 2021. Please submit resumes to laura@sjwomenscentre.ca with subject line Temporary Housing Support Application or Relief Housing Support Application.
SJSOWC embraces diversity and is committed to greater equity in our program and our employment. Our goal is to attract, develop, and retain skilled and strong volunteers and employees from diverse backgrounds allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. In line with this, preferences will be given to and applications are encouraged from women (transgender and cisgender) and non-binary people who are: Indigenous, Black and people of colour, people living with disabilities, women with experiences in substance use, sex work, and women with experience in the criminal justice system. We encourage applicants to self-identify any marginalized experiences and identities in their application with the knowledge that disclosed experiences will remain confidential.
We are currently hiring for our Marguerite’s Place Supportive Housing Program. We’re looking for a new team-member in an eight-month temoporary, full-time position with the posibility of extension. If you would like to work in a feminist, trauma-informed environment and are passionate about supportive housing we look forward to hearing from you! Job ad below. Closing date March 18, 2020. Please submit resumes to raylene@sjwomenscentre.ca
We are currently hiring for our Marguerite’s Place Supportive Housing Program. We’re looking for two women to join our team, one in a relief position and the other in a three-month temoporary, full-time position with the posibility of extension. If you would like to work in a feminist, trauma-informed environment and are passionate about supportive housing we look forward to hearing from you! Closing date Dec. 2, 2019. Please submit resumes to raylene@sjwomenscentre.ca.
The St. John’s Status of Women Council (SJSWC) is a feminist organization that since 1972 is continually working to achieve equality and justice through political activism, community collaboration and the creation of a safe and inclusive space for all women in the St. John’s area. The SJSWC operates the St. John’s Women’s Centre, Marguerites Place Supportive Housing and Safe Harbour Outreach Project (SHOP).
Marguerite’s Place Supportive Housing Program is a supported living program delivered within a safe and secure women only environment. Residents are supported by a team of professional staff, who provide individualized case management, ongoing programming and 24 hour support and crisis management. We strive to assist individuals with complex needs identify and overcome barriers that prevent them from successfully accessing and maintaining safe and independent housing in the community.
We are currently seeking Relief Housing Support Workers to fill shifts as required for vacation relief, sick leave, etc. Shifts may be pre-booked or filled on an on-call / emergency basis. This position is single staffed for 8 and 12 hours shifts for evenings, overnights and weekends.
Qualifications
Completion of post-secondary education preferably in human services. A combination of the following skills and experiences is an asset:
Post secondary degree in human services or equivalent
Experience working in a women’s shelter/housing (or other direct service delivery to homeless women)
Experience working with survivors of trauma, abuse and consumers of mental health preferred
Strong written & oral communication skills
Ability to work shift work
Hours of Work – Relief positions provide coverage to a variety of shifts as needed Salary Step 1 – $19.50 per hour plus 4% vacation pay
To Apply: Submit your resume and cover letter addressed Raylene Noftall at Raylene@sjwomescentre.ca by Monday April 3rd, at 5pm.
St. John’s Status of Women Council/Women’s Centre 170 Cashin Ave. Extension, St. John’s, NL A1E 3B6
Program Coordinator – Marguerite’s Place Supportive Housing Program
(Social Worker Position)
Marguerite’s Place
Marguerite’s Place was opened by the St. John’s Status of Women Council in 2011, to provide safe, affordable housing and supports to women over the age of thirty. Women are invited to stay in our accessible, fully furnished bachelorette suites for up to three years while receiving supports transitioning to independent living in the community.
Position Scope
All staff positions at Marguerite’s Place are employed by the St. John’s Status of Women Council. They are rooted in a feminist perspective and practice. This position is a full-time, permanent position reporting directly to the Executive Director.
The Program Coordinator, is a Social Worker position and is responsible for the overall implementation of Marguerite’s Place Supportive Housing Program including: directing the work of the housing support staff, programming, development of individual support plans, providing counseling, and advocacy for residents living at Marguerite’s Place, as well as to other program participants in need of one-on-one, housing, employment, and crisis support. This position will work with community partners working to end homelessness and provide education on issues related to women and homelessness.
Major Responsibilities
Supervising and directing the housing support staff in the development and oversight of support plans for the residents.
Providing support and direction to housing staff in all matters of support and counselling to the residents.
Completing psycho-social assessments
Information and referral services
Financial education, planning and counseling
Crisis intervention
Navigating community services
Continuous professional development on a variety of issues that impact women in their life transitions
Delivers specialized groups and programs for women.
Typical Duties
Initiates group counseling sessions (as determined by needs and interests of residents; may include topics such as self-harm, mental health and addictions, violence prevention)
Provides coaching in conflict resolution skills to residents.
Works in conjunction with the housing team, to provide a safe respectful and empowering environment
Works to promote individual wellness while providing services including support groups, emergency counseling, ongoing counseling, support and assistance to residents
Assists with the selection and transition of women to Marguerite’s Place and from Marguerite’s Place to independent living.
Is available to former residents living off site during the transition process.
Works with other program of the SJSWC including the Women’s Centre and Safe Harbour Outreach Project.
Education
BSW required and a MSW is preferred
Special Training
Experience working in a residential setting is required. The ideal candidate will have at least 3 residential years’ residential experience.
A strong background in mental health and addictions is essential.
Experience working with individuals with complex needs is essential.
Experience with supervision of staff.
An understanding and experience in the development of women centered programs.
Strong knowledge of community networks and supports is required.
Licenses, Certificates, Registrations
RSW
Skills & Experience
Leadership skills
Good computer skills
Strong written & oral communication skills
Feminist analysis
Experience working in non-profit organizations preferred
Experience with assessment and counselling
Experience working with non-profit is preferred
Hours of Work
General office hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm), but position will require flexibility for evening and weekend meetings as well as on-call supervision.
Flexible work schedule dependent on individual and agency need.
Nature & Extent of Supervision
This position is highly independent and will report to the Executive Director.
Review Made of Employee’s Work
The probation period for this position is three months.
There is a performance review once per annum.
Salary
65.000 per annum with benefits.
Please send you cover letter and resume to Jenny Wright, Executive Director of the St. John’s Status of Women Council at jenny@sjwomenscentre.ca by 4pm on March 3rd, 2017
Please ensure that your cover letter clearly demonstrates that you meet the required qualifications for the position.
We do receive a high volume of responses to positions posted. We are unable to answer everyone individually. We will contact only those who will be interviewed.
The St. John’s Status of Women’s Council is an inclusive community organization, we encourage Trans women to apply.
