Position
Peer Support worker- Contract
Employment Type
Full-time -contract ending March 31 , 2027 with strong possibility of renewal
Work Hours
35 hours/week – 5 days per week; 9-5pm- Availability required Mondays, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m
Work Setting
Hybrid
Salary
$23/hour
Level
2
Application Deadline
October 25, 2026
ABOUT NORTH YORK WOMEN’S CENTRE
North York Women’s Centre (NYWC) is a community-based organization committed to supporting women through accessible, inclusive, and empowering services. Through employment support programs, peer support initiatives, workshops, outreach, and advocacy, NYWC works to reduce barriers and improve the social and economic well-being of women and gender-diverse people across Toronto.
NYWC is expanding its employment and outreach programming through the STEPS to Work program. NYWC’s STEPS to Work program is a 9-week employment and financial empowerment initiative designed to support economically vulnerable women through career development, skill-building, financial literacy, and personalized coaching. Through the “Steps to Work: Outreach Expansion” project, NYWC is expanding services into underserved communities, increasing workshop offerings, integrating flexible drop-in supports, and enhancing online accessibility through digital resources and video content. The program is grounded in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles and provides culturally responsive, accessible support for women facing systemic barriers to employment and financial stability.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Peer Support Worker is a key position providing critical support to women and gender-diverse people within the community. Rooted in lived experience, this position offers social and emotional support and safe, affirming, non-judgemental spaces to hold difficult conversations with compassion and care. You will support our clients in working towards their self-identified goals, which may include offering encouragement and emotional support in the moment, scheduling dedicated time for 1:1 or group support in a private setting, or guiding individuals towards relevant internal programs or external referrals. This role is responsible for direct service delivery, administration and data entry, and outreach and community engagement. Given the nature of the role, some evening and occasional weekend work is required. This is a contract position ending March 31, 2027, with the possibility of extension.
WHAT YOU WILL DO (approximate weight with flexibility to respond to operational needs)
Direct Service Delivery - 50%
- Operate from a critical, trauma-informed lens, including anti-racism/anti-oppression frameworks and a demonstrated understanding of the intersectional impacts of structural forces on Black, racialized, and Indigenous communities
- Provide active listening and emotional support to women (self-identified) contacting the Centre
- Provide appropriate information and support connection to programs, services, and supports that are relevant to the specific identified needs of the client
- Provide training, coaching, and ongoing support to peer support volunteers, including onboarding, skill-building sessions, and regular check-ins on topics such as active listening, trauma-informed practice, boundaries, and confidentiality
- Draw on your personal, lived experience to build trust, establish a working relationship, and assist women to access resources by advocating for them and supporting them to advocate for themselves
- Co-facilitate peer support groups that create space for collective care, knowledge-sharing, and mutual support
- Help women to access support virtually by strengthening their digital skills and literacy
- Assist participants in developing personal wellness and/or safety plans
- Assist with intake, program delivery and participant follow up
- Work collaboratively with other members of the staff team, providing assistance as needed
Administration & Data Entry 30%
- Maintain accurate client files, document case notes and program/services interactions in line with organizational policies and confidentiality standards in a timely manner
- Track client data, referrals, and outcomes to support program/services evaluation
- Participate in on-going training, one-to-one coaching and supervision meetings to support professional and personal development, as directed
- Assist with internal projects and tasks to enhance Centre operations
- Any other duties as assigned
Partnerships and Community Engagement 20%
- Serve as an ambassador for NYWC and its programs and services, communicating our values, programs and services clearly to external partners and community members
- Demonstrate an understanding of NYWC program and services and an ability to communicate to an external audience
- Represent NYWC on external networks and groups where participation supports strategic objectives and aligns with NYWC values
- Support with planning and delivery of outreach activities, workshops and events that respond to the relevant needs, issues and interests of our community and clients
- Actively support efforts to strengthen NYWC’s visibility, accessibility and connection to diverse populations
WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM
- Education and/or experience in social services, community development, life skills or equivalent is an asset specifically in understanding the Peer Support model of counselling
- Excellent listening, verbal and written communications skills
- Strong knowledge of service provider community and ability to provide effective system navigation
- Comfort and familiarity with case management/database and other software and tools
- Proficiency in Google Workspace, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Calendar computer applications, mobile technology and online/cloud-based platforms and comfortable learning new technology
- Team player with a proven track record in building strong, positive professional relationships and being resilient during change and uncertainty
- Understanding of issues impacting women and community resources available to support them
- Willingness and ability to learn about the sector and resources available to support women and approaches to providing programs and services
- Knowledge of and experience with safety planning, crisis response, and referral to community resources
- Ability to establish and maintain a rapport with our service users
- Superior ability to understand the importance of and maintain privacy and confidentiality
- Comfort in working remotely and on-site to help women to access services remotely and support women who may have minimal digital literacy skills
- Superior self-discipline and organizational, project and time management skills
- Ability to organize and prioritize tasks
- Ability to work independently, autonomously and with minimal direct supervision and collaboratively in a team environment with diverse communities of women
- Proven commitment to anti-racism/anti-oppression, feminism and social justice
- Strong communication skills, willingness to go the extra mile, and a healthy sense of humour
- Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Records Check
ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES
- Commitment to our values: equity, compassion, social economic and gender justice with a feminist lens, anti-racism/anti-oppression, person-directed approaches and low-barrier access to services
- Initiative & problem-solving skills
- Adaptability & creativity
- Curiosity & humility
- Growth mindset & accountability
- Cultivates strong relationships
- Conflict resolution and change management
ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES
- Commitment to our values: equity, compassion, social economic and gender justice with a feminist lens, anti-racism/anti-oppression, person-directed approaches and low-barrier access to services, trauma-informed
- Knowledge of employment services, community outreach, and women-centered programming.
- Experience working with marginalized communities, including newcomers, racialized women, low-income individuals, and women with disabilities.
- Initiative & problem-solving skills
- Adaptability & creativity
- Curiosity & humility
- Growth mindset & accountability
- Cultivates strong relationships including centering relationships with the community, and current and potential partners
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and cover letter to: program@nywc.org with the subject line APPLICATION: PEER SUPPORT WORKER. Please attach your resume and cover letter as one PDF document saved in the following file format: LastName, First Name – Peer Support Worker (ie. Doe, Jane – Peer Support Worker). We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Employment Offer is conditional upon vulnerable sector check.