Position Type - FT permanent

Hours of Work per week - 35

Salary range: $46,662 to $54,339 per annum

We offer generous group employee benefits which includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision coverage and EAP, premium fully paid by organization
• Life and disability insurance
• Defined Contribution Pension plan with employer matching up to 6% based on length of service
• Generous paid time off (Vacation, Sick and Float days)
• Pregnancy/Parental leave top-up
• Hybrid work flexibility
• Access to employee perks and discounts

Union Position - This position is represented by OPSEU local 567.

Strides Toronto Support Services (“Strides Toronto”) Strides Toronto is a multi-service agency supporting infants, children, youth and young adults from birth to age 29, and their families, primarily across east Toronto. We offer community-based, residential and treatment programs—including mental health counselling, autism services, early intervention, day treatment, education, outreach and community support—using a client-centered, evidence-informed approach. Since 2015, Strides Toronto has served as Toronto’s Lead Agency for Infant, Child and Youth Mental Health, partnering with 21 core service providers to provide system leadership, citywide planning, coordinated service delivery and program alignment. Strides Toronto also leads initiatives with broader reach, including Help Ahead and the HOPE Strategy across Toronto and One Stop Talk/Parlons Maintenant and the Provincial Youth Outreach Worker Program across Ontario.

This is an existing vacancy for a full-time permanent Peer Support Worker, Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT). The Peer Support Worker will use their lived experience to provide relational, emotional, and practical support to female-identifying youth aged 12–17 who are survivors of sex trafficking and/or sexual exploitation in the Anti-Human Trafficking live-in treatment program.

Rooted in a trauma-informed and survivor-centered approach, the Peer Support Worker will foster trust, model healthy relationships, and support youth in navigating their healing journeys. They will collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to co-facilitate and deliver trauma-informed, strength-based psychoeducation and activities related to topics such as gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, harm reduction, and personal empowerment, while centering the voices and choices of the youth.

• Work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary care team to support education and awareness activities as they relate to sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.
• Drawing from lived experience and education, support survivors both one-on-one and in group settings on issues that may include substance use, mental health, trauma, and sexual abuse or exploitation.
• Work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary care team to implement and maintain client centered routines and structure that support the health and wellness needs of clients.
• Provide consistent social and emotional support to clients through empathetic listening, shared experience, and relationship-building, fostering a sense of safety, trust, and connection throughout their healing journey.
• Engage in professional development activities and document client information that is reflective of policy, accreditation, and MCCSS licensing standards.

The following education, professional memberships and knowledge are a requirement for this role:

• Lived experience of childhood sexual exploitation and/or sex trafficking.
• A minimum of two years of general paid work experience and at least one year of volunteer experience, or equivalent.
• Relevant education is considered an asset, such as a diploma or degree in Social Service Work, Addictions and Mental Health, Community Work, or a related human