Summary

As part of this one-year pilot initiative, Family Support Workers offer direct support to families experiencing homelessness, ensuring smooth daily operations of an innovative hotel stay project. Using a trauma-informed, and family-centered approach, FSWs assist families in navigating hotel stays, including conducting program orientation and communicating expectations, as well as providing essential needs such as food, clothing, hygiene products, and other supplies.

Description

Are you a changemaker? Come on INN!

Who Are We?
We’re an amazing team, doing amazing things every day. Inn from the Cold is the largest organization in the Calgary region dedicated to supporting families experiencing a housing crisis.
At Inn from the Cold, we offer more than a job; we provide an opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of families in need. Our values guide us — compassion, accountability, respect, inclusivity, courage, and innovation. We are driven by our vision of a thriving community where every child and family have a safe and stable place to call home.

We prioritize people, recognizing the uniqueness and worth of everyone who walks through our doors. Our commitment to reconciliation and equity is not just a statement; it's a journey we're dedicated to, actively working alongside Indigenous peoples and marginalized communities to dismantle oppressive structures. As a trauma informed organization, we create a safe and supportive environment, promoting healing and resilience.

We are a multidisciplinary team united by a shared vision, mission and values. Collaboration is at the heart of our work, and we believe that diverse perspectives drive our success. It is this diversity and the respect and value we have for each other and our community that makes us stronger.

If this sounds like a place where you would want to work, please review the position below to see if there’s a fit with your skills and experience.

What Are We Looking For?

  • Position Title Family Support Worker, Homeless Emergency Response (HER) Project
  • Job Type Full Time, Temporary – April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
  • Department Programs & Services
  • Reports to Manager, Homeless Emergency Response (HER) Project
  • Shifts Available
    • Sunday to Wednesday – 3pm – 11pm
    • Wednesday to Saturday – 3pm – 11pm

Position Overview
Inn from the Cold (The INN) is seeking passionate and committed Family Support Workers to support families in crisis through the Homeless Emergency Response (HER) Project. As part of this one-year pilot initiative, Family Support Workers offer direct support to families experiencing homelessness, ensuring smooth daily operations of an innovative hotel stay project. Using a trauma-informed, and family-centered approach, FSWs assist families in navigating hotel stays, including conducting program orientation and communicating expectations, as well as providing essential needs such as food, clothing, hygiene products, and other supplies. Working as part of a collaborative HER project team, FSWs also support in coordinating and providing on-site child and family engagement and cultural opportunities. FSWs also work alongside the Outreach & Housing Case Managers to support families in achieving housing stability through a housing-focused case management process.

What You’ll Do

  • Provide on-site and in-person support for families in hotels stays throughout the afternoon/evenings, creating connection and a sense of safety and stability.
  • Engage with families and develop a rapport in a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive manner.
  • Conduct a welcome and orientation for families arriving at the hotel, ensuring they are aware of program expectations, the hotel and external surroundings, safety considerations and how to contact the HER Project team for support.
  • Provide direct support to families in meeting their daily basic needs, including providing hygiene, clothing, bus tickets and food access by picking up and delivering supplies to families at the hotels.
  • Coordinate family/child/cultural activities and engagement opportunities on site, in collaboration with the INN’s Programs teams and other community resources.
  • Work collaboratively with the Outreach & Housing Case Managers in implementing the family housing-focused case plan.
  • Conduct regular safety checks on families at hotels and liaise with hotel staff as required.
  • Help maintain cleanliness and organization in hotel rooms and hotel spaces.
  • Act as the first point of contact for urgent situations with the family and hotel staff during the evenings.
  • Participate in shift updates with the Shelter FSW team providing information regarding a family’s needs or concerns, and operational needs for overnight support.
  • Coordinate any urgent or critical situations with The INN’s after-hours management on-call as required.
  • Maintain records of hotel occupancy, safety checks, and other operational logs.
  • Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of family interactions, case notes, intake and assessment information, safety concerns and records of support and service referrals.
  • Maintain strong and positive working relationships with team members, co-workers, supervisors and organizational leadership.

This position description reflects the general duties of the role but is not intended to include all duties that may be inherent in the position. The Family Support Worker, Homeless Emergency Response (HER) Project may be asked to perform other duties as required or assigned.

What You Bring to Our Mission

  • A deep commitment to supporting at-risk and vulnerable families, with a strong desire to make a meaningful impact in the homeless-serving sector.
  • A diploma or degree in social work, human services, family support or community support is preferred. A combination of sector experience and education will also be considered.
  • 1-2 years’ experience working with families experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity is preferred
  • 1-2 years’ experience in an outreach role, family support, or crisis support is preferred.
  • Knowledge of trauma-informed and client-centered care, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution skills.
  • Understanding of issues related to homelessness and its impact on families.
  • Ability to respond to the complex needs of families in a family shelter setting.
  • Commitment to working in a team environment and collaborating with other program teams.
  • Ability to deal with people sensitively, tactfully, diplomatically, and professionally.
  • Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong work ethic, sound judgment, and a commitment to discretion and family and staff confidentiality.
  • Computer literacy, including knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 including Teams and Outlook.
  • Proficient documentation including case notes and case plans, and survey reporting skills using a client information management system.
  • Current First Aid/CPR is required, and Suicide Intervention Certification/ASIST is an asset.
  • A valid driver’s license and reliable car is required.
  • Police checks and Child Intervention checks are required for employment.
  • Availability of working afternoons/evening shifts and either a Saturday or Sunday for 7 days a week support.

What We Offer
We provide people with meaningful work and are committed to offering equitable benefits and total compensation to all staff, including:

  • Competitive salary, where all employees are paid a living wage at minimum.
  • Focus on health and wellbeing, including access to employer paid extended health benefits, dental benefits, annual health spending account and employer matched RRSP contributions.
  • Commitment to your mental wellbeing with free and confidential support through the Employee & Family Assistance Program.
  • Work life balance, including paid vacation starting at three weeks, wellness days, and 12 paid statutory holidays.
  • Supportive and flexible work environment, with ongoing training and development opportunities.
  • Potlucks, celebrations, employee engagement initiatives and plenty of fun.
  • Strong commitment to advancing reconciliation, aligning with the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
  • Recognition that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person and harnesses the strength in diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Our Commitment
Join us in a workplace where your actions contribute to breaking down barriers, fostering equity, and creating a truly inclusive and antiracist space. At Inn from the Cold, you're not just an employee but a crucial part of a community, making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The INN is deeply committed to building a workplace where inclusion is valued and prioritized. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you are passionate about our mission and can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We value unique perspectives and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of talents and skills. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity or expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, place of origin, source of income, mental and physical disability, age or veteran status.

Join Our Team
We are excited to hear from you! We invite you to join our movement to end family homelessness in our city. If you are passionate about making a difference and meet the qualifications above, please submit your resume and cover letter by clicking ‘Apply Now’.

The successful candidate must satisfactorily complete a Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and a Child Intervention Record Check.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm on April 6, 2024

Inn from the Cold is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. To request an accommodation, please contact us at HR@innfromthecold.org before your interview.