Community Support Worker

Established in 1992, the Women in Need Society (WINS) is an award-winning charity and Calgary based shopping alternative investing in the social wellbeing of community. WINS has developed a unique operating model that merges retail and social service provision to benefit vulnerable women and their families to live better lives.

Mission

Connecting women and their families with resources to thrive.

Vision

All women thriving and building resilient families.

Values

Integrity: Our actions match our words. We do what we say, and we say what we mean.

Diversity: Diversity makes us stronger. We welcome and respect different people, perspectives, and experiences.

Sustainability: We are kind to people and the planet. Our actions today will impact our world tomorrow.

Collaboration: We are better together. Working as a team, we strive for excellence in all we do.

Innovation: We imagine the possibilities. We continuously strive towards creating a greater impact.

Presently, WINS operates six donation-driven Thrift Stores, an Operations Centre which houses a 12,000 sq ft Donation Center, a bulk thrift store (more store), and WINS’ e-commerce business (Twice New). WINS also operates five Program Centers, two of which are located by WINS stores and three which are in Calgary Housing complexes. The revenue from our thrift operations supports our programs, like House to Home, Retail Ready, Warehouse Ready and our five Community Resource Hubs. The costs of WINS Programs are also supported by fundraising and grant funding as well.

Scope And Responsibilities

Reporting to the Community Support Coordinator, the Community Support Worker is responsible for the day-to-day client intake and provide one-on-one assistance to clients to increase access to community resources, identify client needs and promote WINS programs and services that can enrich clients’ lives. This role also has a pivotal role in promoting women and their family’s well-being, development, confidence, and success; motivating and inspiring participants in implementing personal plans and goals, and in participating in WINS program activities; promoting their long-term involvement in the community and providing evaluation and feedback to ensure our WINS programs stay relevant to women and their families as well as the community WINS serve.

Specific And Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one assistance to clients to increase awareness and access to available community resources.
• Facilitate and support clients in implementing, evaluating and supporting of personal plans and goals.
• Meet and screen participants to assess their needs, provide referrals as well as providing brief services that are available at WINS as needed. 
• Answer phone calls and email to set up appointments with WINS participants. 
• Facilitate the development of relationships and peer support by encouraging client to participate in WINS community programs.
• Provide behaviour support and follow outlined behaviour plans, as required
• Ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all program participants and clients.
• Engage with external agencies and pick up external referral items.
• Collaborate with WINS store locations and be on site at locations when needed.
• Ensure materials needed for participant engagement are on-site, pick-up materials when needed.
• Support with donation distribution, pick up and drop off donations when applicable.
• Maintain record of client information and forms, outcomes, statistics, and demographic data.
• Regularly document and share, when possible, client successes and highlights with other staff, senior management, donors, board of director.
• Participate actively in collaborative team exchange of ideas and practices.
• Represent WINS at community events as required.
• Work closely with Programs Manager, and team as well as other WINS teams to support participant success and in meeting/exceeding program outcome and deliverables.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Requirements

Education

• Minimum of post-secondary diploma related to community development, social work, and/or education.
  
  

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in similar role. Experience in non-for-profit working directly with clients.
• Solid and positive experience with cultural diversity and inclusion in a community and programs’ setting.
• Experience partnering with other non-profit agencies, knowledgeable in community programs and services.
• Specialized knowledge in women and their family’s needs and issues.
• Experience working with marginalized and diverse populations and an understanding of issues that may impact women in crisis and/or in low-income situations. 
  
  

Personal/ Professional Attributes

• Strong affinity for the WINS brand and a personal passion for and commitment to the goals and vision of the Women in Need Society, a willingness to ‘go the extra mile’.
• A true collaborator, clear communicator, and relationship builder.  
• An innovative and creative thinker – with the ability to identify opportunities and to see trends and connections.
• Superb organization and planning skills with the ability to prioritize and multitask in a vibrant, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent presentation, and customer service.
• Outstanding communication skills including an aptitude for clear and positive electronic communications, creating, and delivering information/presentations, coherent and clear written communications, and kind, persuasive verbal communication.
• Ability to work under pressure to complete multiple tasks, meet demands and deadlines with a positive, constructive attitude.
• Strong leadership skills, with ability to manage and develop high performing teams combined with a welcoming and empathetic demeanor.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills: an ability to build and maintain positive, trusting relationships with employees, peers, leadership, donors, clients, customers, and other stakeholders through strong emotional intelligence and compassion.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook 
• Able to work evening shifts and occasional weekends.  
• Must have a valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Able to provide satisfactory results of a Vulnerable Sector Search background check through Calgary Police Services or RCMP
• Eligible to legally work in Canada.