JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Child & Youth Worker - Mischa Lelum Youth Emergency Shelter
Program Area: Child, Youth and Family Connections
Date: October 2024 (amended May/25, Feb 10/26)
Grid: 21
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:
Providing services in the Cowichan Valley since 1992, Canadian Mental Health Association - Cowichan Valley
Branch (CMHA-CVB) is a registered charity and not-for-profit, independent society operating under a branch
division agreement with CMHA British Columbia and within the context of the nation-wide Strategic Plan of
the Canadian Mental Health Association.
As part of a national organization and an advocate of mental health for all, CMHA-CVB facilitates access to
resources people need to maintain and improve mental health and wellbeing, and to participate in community
integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness and/or substance use and addiction.
CMHA-CVB operates Warmland House Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing Services, Sobering and
Assessment Centre, Adult Outreach programs, Mischa Lelum Youth Emergency Shelter, a Youth Centre, Youth
Connect, Bounce Back personal coaching, Family Capacity Program, Rainbows and a variety of other
counselling/therapeutic programs for children, youth, and families.
CMHA-CVB also provides community education and advocacy aimed at the promotion of good mental health
and in support of individuals and families with mental health challenges.
CMHA-CVB adheres to the values of diversity, cultural safety, and respect for all, as identified in its Anti-Racism
Statement as attached.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Manager of Child, Youth and Family Connections, and the Assistant Manager, Mischa Lelum
Youth Emergency Shelter, the Child and Youth Worker supports vulnerable and/or at-risk youth through
individual and group activities to increase life skills, social networks and safety, using the Circles of Care and
harm reduction models. This position plays a significant role in reaching out to and supporting youth in the
community by encouraging connection to school, family, community and alternate resources.
The Child and Youth Worker will provide services in the 4 main program areas (as assigned by the Manager):
1) One-to-one work with youth at risk
2) Youth engagement and outreach
3) Community connections and education
4) Supporting youth and programming at the CMHA-CVB Mischa Lelum Youth Emergency Shelter
This is a connection and engagement-based program. Child and Youth workers develop relationships based on
trust and consistency that are developed over many months. Youth workers will have strong interpersonal skills
