At Choices for Youth Inc. (CFY), we are deeply committed to supporting young people as they navigate their journey toward independence and stability. As a youth-focused organization, we create safe, welcoming spaces for open conversations and offer a range of programs designed to empower young people to secure stable housing, meaningful employment, and pursue educational opportunities. We strive to break cycles of poverty and homelessness, focusing on prevention, intervention, and ongoing support. Our mission is to help youth and young families build healthier, more stable lives, while fostering self-confidence and independence.

Through our Employment, Education, and Social Enterprise (EESE) program, we offer essential support to youth facing various challenges, including limited work experience, past involvement with the criminal justice system, and lack of access to education. We understand that meaningful employment plays a crucial role in in helping young people build stability and independence.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Are you ready to make a real impact? We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Employment Support Worker (ESW) to join our team and work closely with youth, helping them build work readiness, set personal goals, and overcome challenges while gaining hands-on experience in our social enterprises. This is a contractual position until March 31, 2027.

As an ESW, you’ll provide personalized one-on-one support, equipping each young person with the tools, encouragement, and guidance needed to thrive at our social enterprises: The Shop, Neighborhood, and Crust Craft Bakery.

In this role, you’ll help youth navigate employment barriers such as housing instability, educational setbacks, and past trauma. Using a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and solution-focused approach you’ll empower them to develop new skills, build confidence, and find purpose as they move forward in their journey.

This is a highly collaborative and rewarding role, where you’ll work alongside a supportive team of business leads and training educators. Your efforts will directly contribute to helping youth make meaningful strides, take impactful steps toward greater stability and success, and ultimately create lasting positive change in their lives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Personalized Support

• Conduct one-on-one assessments to understand the young person’s employment readiness and identify immediate needs (e.g. ID cards, housing, transportation).
• Collaborate with youth to set achievable goals and create actionable plans for their success.
• Provide mentorship and on-site guidance as youth engage in social enterprise opportunities, ensuring safety, skills development, and confidence in the workplace.

Skill Building & Advocacy

• Help youth develop key work skills, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and time management, to prepare them for the labor market.
• Advocate for youth using a social justice approach, connecting them with community employers, services, and programs to support their goals.
• Identify and address barriers like mental health, addiction, and past trauma, offering resources, options, and referrals.

Collaboration & Crisis Support

• Work with the Training & Education team and business leads to assess youth performance and progress.
• Mediate crisis and conflict situations with empathy, problem-solving, and de-escalation skills.

Ongoing Support & Documentation

• Connect youth with additional community resources, offering information and making referrals as needed.
• Maintain clear and confidential case notes in compliance with CFY and funder standards.
• Track and document program statistics to monitor youth progress and identify any emerging program needs.

Community Engagement

• Represent CFY at recruitment fairs and community events, promo