Program Lead -TO WARDS Peace Project (TWP)

Rexdale Community Health Centre • Full-time • Etobicoke, ON, CA • C$ 74.50k - C$ 78k / year • 1w ago

Rexdale Community Health Centre (RCHC) is a non-profit, multi-service, community-based organization that serves communities in Rexdale and North-West Etobicoke. Operating out of three locations, RCHC offers core services that include; primary health care, health promotion, community development programs, Pathways to Education and Diabetes Education Centre.

Think 2wice (T2) is a grassroots, non-profit organization with the primary goal of combatting the rising gun violence that is plaguing high-risk communities. Think 2wice (T2) provides trauma-informed, culturally relevant initiatives and programming to incarcerated individuals as well as youth and communities who are impacted by incarceration, trauma, loss, grief, gun and gang violence. In working with victims and perpetrators of violence, trauma, and grief, Think 2wice (T2) provides therapeutic support through case management, workshops, participatory programming, music, theatre, film, story sharing, mentorship, and spirituality.

At Think 2wice (T2), we are dedicated to creating positive change and addressing the complex challenges faced by vulnerable populations. Our mission is to build positive role models and empower individuals and communities to heal, grow, and thrive. By offering a wide range of initiatives and programs, we strive to foster resilience, promote social inclusion, and reduce the cycle of violence and incarceration.

TO Wards Peace Project (TWP) is a risk-driven, community-centric interruption model that takes a public health approach to interrupting and intervening in community violence. This model leverages the lived experience of affected communities to develop and implement effective community engagement approaches, innovative communication tools, social media strategies and focused investment geared at violence prevention and interruption. The integrated approach will combine community based, social media and hospital based violence interventions.

The TPW Program Lead will support the project's operationalization. The critical function of this position is to administer and coordinate key deliverables, support the T2 team including; Manager of Community Safety, Violence Disrupter Workers (VDW), Critical Gang Pre-Release Reintegration Worker, and Critical Grief Therapist in the delivery and implementation of the project.

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate a commitment to community change.

Responsibilities:

· Oversee and supervise VDWs

· Report to T2 Manager of Community Safety

· Develop, provide and oversee workshops and support to TDSB/TCDSB Safe Schools, as requested

· Lead outreach activities alongside VDWs

· Develop, implement, guide, structure, monitor and support the project

· Asses VDWs strengths and areas of improvement and provide support where necessary

· Strategize with VDWs and T2 Manager of Community Safety concerning arising supports and conflict resolution needed within the community

· Provide ongoing feedback and mentorship to VDW’s

· Ensure orientation and training is completed for VDWs and volunteers

· Provide guidance and support for gun/gang prevention and intervention opportunities

· Collaborate and maintain rapport with key stakeholders, including community partners, FOCUS, TO Wards Peace partners, evaluation and communication team, Justice centre, probation, parole, and BRAVE

· Responsible for reporting, monitoring and evaluation of TWP program deliverables

· Safety and Risk Management Planning

· Support in creating a plan of action for community emergency situations that arise and are identified by the VDWs, such as rival gang and neighbourhood altercations (new or ongoing), gun and community violence, lack of safety, death, loss, grief, trauma, funeral, raids, and incarceration

· Ensure all tools, resources, and materials are provided to ensure project staff is equipped to perform responsibilities effectively

· Ensure careful consideration and integration of Think 2wice and VDWs in the planning, implementation and continuous development of the TWP project

· Ensure that the voices of VDWs (who are viewed as experts) are heard

· Ensure that appropriate record-keeping practices are established and maintained, in keeping with RCHC and Think 2wice policies on Privacy and Confidentiality

· Identify gaps in service delivery and develop strategies to address these gaps through program development, partnerships, advocacy or external resources

· Develop and implement strategies to strengthen and build VDWs to successfully intervene and interrupt gun and gang violence while providing mentorship and support

· Oversee TWP referrals and brokerage resources and support for participants and those who are ineligible for the program

· Support in developing self-care supports for VDWs

· Coordinate daily and weekly debriefing meetings

· Identify potential partners to be at the table. Provide feedback to the T2 Manager of Community Safety, Lead agency, and City on the outcome of their involvement

· Present community issues to relevant stakeholders

· Participate in meetings with various committees and staff

· Prepare and adjust written work plans and timelines

· Assist with writing reports, as required

· Prepare and format documents, reports, presentations and develop forms where needed

· Provide intake forms for clients

· Respond to inquiries and provide information to stakeholders

· Maintain contact lists and databases, ensuring accuracy and up-to-date information

· Generate reports and perform data analysis, as requested

· Collaborate with team members to coordinate and track project tasks and deadlines

· Monitor project timelines and provide regular updates on progress

· Welcome and assist visitors, clients, and stakeholders

· Assist in organizing and maintaining a clean and organized office space

· Attend meetings, engage in networking activities, and serve as a representative for the Think 2wice organization as directed by the T2 Manager of Community Safety

· Assist with the coordination of events and special projects

· Maintain inventory and order office supplies, as needed

· Assisting in the process of securing grants through writing and documentation support.

· Organize, coordinate and oversee data gathering and evaluation procedures as required

· Ensure information flow and communication channels across the collaborative

· Develop and coordinate presentations for engagement opportunities

· Document and advocate for the needs of the project

· Other responsibilities, as required

Staff and Team Maintenance:

Participate in the successful recruitment, retention, training, and support of VDWs and facilitators
Attend and participate in T2 and TWP staff meetings
Ensure thatVDWs understand and use the RCHC and Think 2wice operating policies and principles
Facilitate decision and resolution of problems, issues, and concerns within VDWs
Participate in the planning and implementation of the TWP project

Program Planning and Implementation:

Act as a liaison between the Lead agency, City, and T2 team when directed by T2 management, including:

Manager of Community Safety, Violence Disrupter Workers (VDW), Critical Gang Pre-Release Reintegration Worker/Navigator, and Critical Grief Therapist for operationalization and support

· Support in the successful planning, implementation and evaluation of this project

· Engage with individuals, community groups and partners through a range of methods to plan for and implement strategies to address gang and gun violence in Rexdale

· Demonstrate anti-racist/anti-oppressive and equitable practice during all interactions

· Identify trends and programming needs based on feedback from VDWs, community organizations, and social media

· Assist in planning, outreach and facilitating a series of engagement sessions in Rexdale communities

· Ensure that regular communication is maintained with the T2 team – Manager of Community Safety, VDWs, including participant support needs, and any challenges addressed through programming components, including outreach and engagement strategies

· Elicit regular feedback from the T2 team – VDWs to evaluate the effectiveness of the project and to address challenges and situations that might arise on a daily basis, including providing support

· Work with the T2 Manager of Community Safety to ensure that information needed for program monitoring, evaluation and improvement is available and current, including collection of accurate and timely data on attendance, caseload, referrals and outreach

Qualifications and Experience:

· University Degree or equivalent experience with a proven track record

· Experience in community development

· Experience and knowledge of Rexdale neighbourhoods and gang culture

· Knowledge and experience in gang ‘interruption’ tactics and strategies

· Ability to work a flexible work schedule, including some evenings and weekends

· Knowledge of community and social service resources, in particular services for youth

· Understanding the different reasons for gun violence in the City of Toronto

· Experience and understanding of gang culture in the City of Toronto with an in-depth understanding of Rexdale

· Understanding of strengths and capacities of youth from communities impacted by gun violence, as well as barriers and challenges faced by young people in the Rexdale/Jamestown community

· Knowledge and understanding of incarceration and gang involvement

· Knowledge and understanding of Security Threat Groups (STG) and their connection to the community and jails/prisons

· Knowledge and understanding of the difference between gun violence and gang violence

· Knowledge and understanding of the difference between gun/gang prevention and gun/gang intervention

· Knowledge, experience and understanding in providing successful reintegration supports

· Ability to work independently, work across teams, balance multiple priorities and communicate effectively

· Experience in recruiting, training and supervising staff

Salary Range: $74,500 to $78,000 annually (based on experience)

Hours per week: 35 hours per week, - includes some evenings and weekends

Duration: 1-year contract with the possibility of extension

Reports to: T2 Manager of Community Safety

Starting date: ASAP

Application Due Date: January 6, 2024

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: $74,500.00-$78,000.00 per year

Application question(s):

Do you have Knowledge and experience in gang ‘interruption’ tactics and strategies?
Do you have knowledge of community and social service resources for youth?

Education: