Peer Support Worker_Relief

DATE: November 14, 2025
CLOSING DATE: November 28, 2025
LOCATION: Toronto, ON - Transitional Age Youth (TAY)
COMPENSATION: $24.24/hr
WORK TYPE: Onsite
JOB ID: 10417958

Who We Are:
LOFT Community Services is a unique and dynamic charitable organization that supports people living with complex issues such as mental and physical health challenges, substance use challenges, poverty and homelessness. Serving 20,573 annually and providing 1,856 units of supportive housing last year, LOFT is one of Ontario’s largest mental health service providers of its kind. LOFT is also recognized as a Nonprofit Employer of Choice™ Award (NEOC) recipient.
Job Summary
The Peer Support Worker position is open to those who have lived experience with mental health and/or addiction and have gone through a process of recovery. The peer mentor is responsible to use their lived experience to assist others in the recovery process and to navigate the mental health and addiction systems. This would be accomplished through a variety of activities such as group facilitation, individual support with appointments and structured positive relationship building.
 The Peer Support Worker supports the collaboration between LOFT and Thorncliffe Park- Youth Wellness Hub ON (YWHO). The Peer Support Worker role will work in collaboration with the partners at the YWHO site located on Overlea Blvd Toronto, and will also work at the TAY hub, located on Bloor Street West. The Peer Support Worker will have a unique role collaborating with the community and other health and social service providers. The peer support worker shall provide 1:1 peer support and help co-facilitate these groups for youth. The program requires availability to work evenings and Saturdays.
Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) aims to bring integrated low barrier services to youth (12-25) and their families/caregivers. YWHO is improving Ontario’s mental health and addiction landscape for youth and their families by providing rapid access to mental health and substance use services as well as clear referral pathways to interdisciplinary team and community supports.

What You Will Do

• To accompany clients to various appointments in the community.
• Help with goal setting, problem solving and emotional support
• Work in collaboration with other program staff and community partners
• Contribute to program development and implementation.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate mental health/recovery/treatment groups.
• Have up-to date knowledge of local resources. Assist with referrals to support as needed.
• To help ensure that clients are connecting with caseworkers and caseworkers with clients.
• Supports a regular number of clients by meeting in the community
• Establishing a supportive relationship, always
• Guide clients to make choices that promote safety, wellness and recovery.
• Positive role model and encouragement of others in the recovery process
• Assist with drop-in programs at various city locations
• Attend training sessions and group meetings
• Have regular supervision with director or senior staff
• Prepare and dismantle group/including light cleaning and trash removal
• Positively contribute to the TAY program by providing back-up support for other staff and by engaging in collaborative team activities.

What You Bring:
Must Haves

• Completion of peer training.
• Experience/knowledge of mental health/ addictions systems.
• Solid working knowledge of recovery principles.
• Knowledge of local community mental health services including formal and informal supports.
• Some experience in peer support counselling.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong ability to work independently and on a team.
• Enthusiastic problem solver, positive conflict resolution and goal setting practices.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Flexible availability: weekend work and some evenings may be required with advanced notice.

Nice-to-Haves

• Knowledge/experience with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an asset.
• Understanding of harm reduction, cultural competency and anti-oppression framework

Work Environment:

Walk up and down stairs, physically able to assist client with daily living activities, 10%-20% travel to different locations with transit and/or own vehicle, outdoor travel, lifting objects up to 50 lbs.

What We Offer

E-learning program available all year round

Corporate Gym membership rate with GoodLife Fitness

Access to Perkopolis, a comprehensive corporate discount program

Access to unlimited DEI trainings through partnership Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
LOFT Community Services is a values-driven organization with a deep belief that each person has the ability to grow and change. We value compassion, collaboration, and community delivered with dignity, innovation, and excellence. LOFT’s vision is that together, we can all live successfully in our community. Our client population reflects Ontario’s diverse community and it is LOFT’s goal to build a workforce who also reflects that diversity. LOFT believes there are many ways to develop skills and build experience and expertise. So even if you don’t “tick all the boxes” but think you’d thrive in this role, you are encouraged to apply.

Note: A satisfactory vulnerable sector check (VSC) is also required.