Family Services of Greater Vancouver is Looking For Harm Reduction Volunteer at Vancouver, BC Full Time

About this Role

Directions Youth Services is a division of Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV), which for more than 90 years has provided a variety of essential resources for children, families and individuals in the Greater Vancouver community. We believe in the resiliency of Vancouver’s youth who are at-risk, homeless, and street-involved. We assist youth under the age of 25 to get counselling for trauma, mental health or substance issues. Our teams strive to create spaces and build connections with youth who are facing challenges of street life, substance use, mental health concerns, and disconnection from their communities. Directions inclusive programs of shelter and drop-in, safe houses and other unique programs are committed to being a community leader in harm reduction work and fostering low-barrier spaces where all youth are welcome.

Directions is busy and bustling centre, looking for a person to help us build Harm Reduction Kits for our Outreach team and centre staff to distribute. Volunteers who graciously take the time to help us make these kits allow our workers more time to connect and support our vulnerable youth. This is an IN-PERSON Volunteer role.

What we offer you:Benefits of volunteering with us:
Flexible scheduling

A volunteer culture that values transparency, teamwork, learning, fairness and integrity

Volunteer Hours: 1-2 per week (3 hours/ week)

Location: Directions Youth Services Centre, 1138 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC

Posting Start Date: ASAP, Ongoing

What you bring:
Knowledge, Abilities and Responsibilities

Understanding of the systemic issues that affect low income and marginalized people, and the impact of intergenerational trauma cause by colonization, integration and assimilation.

Understanding of substance use, mental health, issues that may affect sexually exploited youth, and knowledge and belief in the Harm Reduction model.

Assembling a variety of harm reduction kits to distribute to our youth and to the broader community of people who use substances, this includes:

Safer Injecting Kits

Safer Smoking Kits

Safer Meth Kits

Safer Crack Kits

Requirements

Adhere to all program and agency policies, procedures and safety standards; including but not limited to confidentiality policy.

Good organizational skills and time management

Lived experience is considered an asset

Additional Requirements

Successful completion of criminal record check

Must be fluent in speaking English

Successfully complete a course on the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA)

Proof of Covid-19 vaccination status will be required

Please note: We cannot sponsor candidates outside of Canada for any Volunteer positions.

How to apply:
If this describes you, please submit your application here: Volunteer Application Form — Directions Youth Services. Thank you for your interest!

We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the communities we so proudly serve, while encompassing the principles of equity, inclusion and diversity. We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, people of all gender expressions and sexual orientations including queer, trans, and two-spirit people. In our words and actions, we recognize the challenges for those facing inequalities, while acknowledging our privilege, as we continuously strive to remove bias and reduce barriers that individuals may experience in the hiring and job-seeking process. We invite feedback from all applicants who apply for roles with the Agency.

If you require a disability-related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] outlining for follow-up.

Our programs are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unseeded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw(Squamish), Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil Waututh), Qayqayt,Katzie, Kwantlen, Kwekwetlem,Semiahmoo,Matsqui,and Tsawwassen First Nations. Huy ch q’u.