The Redwood assists women and children to live and thrive free from abuse, homelessness, and poverty. Core services include a 35-bed emergency shelter, 24/7 access to counsellors in-person and through text, live chat and telephone crisis lines, employment initiatives to help survivors become economically self-sufficient, and anti-violence intervention and prevention counselling that Redwood caseworkers bring directly to survivors.
As an organization, we demonstrate our commitment to our mission by working from a client centered, feminist, anti-racist and anti-oppression framework, and trauma-informed approaches. These approaches are at the core of our work, and they form and shape our programs and service delivery.
In our commitment to social change through learning, collaboration, and advocacy, and guided by our values of self-determination, anti-racism and anti-oppression, The Redwood provides services inclusive to all women and their children, trans, and gender-diverse individuals who are disproportionately
impacted by gender-based violence.
The Redwood first opened its doors in 1993, thanks to a group of local volunteers—friends and neighbours in the Parkdale-High Park neighbourhood—who worked tirelessly to bring the organization to life. The Redwood is only able to provide many of our core services to survivors, thanks to our generous community of donors.
Job Summary
Working under the direction of the Resident Services Manager, this role is responsible for providing crisis prevention, intervention, case management, and support services to women and their children that we serve at The Redwood. The main responsibilities include intake, crisis prevention and intervention, maintaining safety protocol and record-keeping, case management, advocacy, education, and team building.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Assessing crisis line callers, including provision of crisis counselling, to determine service need and delivery.
- Case management.
- Participating in the delivery and counselling services of iDetermine.ca as needed.
- Assessing and reporting women and children's immediate health and safety issues through completion of the Intake Interview.
- Act as a liaison and advocate across providers.
- Responsible for coordination of care for 3 – 5 clients to ensure comprehensive care planning and follow up supports.
- Working collaboratively and developing strong partnerships with external service providers.
- Completing the appropriate documentation for funding requirements as required.
- Educating newcoming residents to The Redwood shelter environment and with other clients.
- Presenting the shelter guidelines and procedures and obtaining written agreement to abide by them from newcoming and existing clients.
- Assigning the appropriate cultural interpretation service to facilitate the effective communication between staff and clients.
- Maintaining contact with each woman daily to ensure her safety and that of her children.
- Completing Case Management documentation as required or requested.
- Clearly articulating and modeling the shelter's conflict resolution procedure to assist clients in solving issues as they arise.
- Encouraging clients to be active in decision-making for case management, dealing with challenges related to communal living and changes.
- Assessing and de-escalating potential or actual crisis situations to maintain safety for clients and staff at all times.
- Accompanying clients on agency visits as required.
- Designing, organizing, and facilitating workshops in the shelter and in the community as requested or required.
- Assisting in the development of safety, departure and closure plans for clients leaving The Redwood’s services.
- Providing follow up information and referrals as required.
- Completing program evaluation processes and forms as required.
- Documenting all appropriate records, forms, logs, and appointments as required.
- Providing appropriate notification to Children's Aid Society and police to ensure safety of clients and staff when necessary.
- Conducting nightly security checks to ensure physical safety of clients, staff, and facility.
- Monitoring proper utilization of appliances and equipment to ensure safety and upkeep.
- Monitoring and/or carries out meal preparation, food storage and garbage disposal to maintain hygiene and sanitation standards.
- Maintaining confidentiality regarding all client files, records, and information.
- Identifying problems or crises to the supervisor(s) to obtain guidance and/ or direction.
- Attends case management meetings and weekly counsellor's huddle.
- All other duties as necessary and relevant to the department.
The Successful Candidate Will Possess the Following Qualifications
- Post-secondary education and experience in a field related to social services.
- Experience providing support in the violence against women (VAW) sector.
- Training and practical experience in crisis intervention, counselling, and case management.
- Strong problem-solving, options exploration and conflict resolution skills.
- Solid understanding of and experience working within an anti-racism and anti-oppression framework with diverse communities.
- Sound knowledge of community and social networks.
- The ability to effectively and efficiently handle multiple and competing priorities daily.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Standard First Aid/CPR certification.
- Ability to work shifts that may include evening and weekend hours.
- Computer literacy.
- Second language an asset.
- A police-record check or vulnerable sector check is required.
- Must have the ability to lift 20 lbs.
Working Conditions
- Works extensively at a desk using a computer up to 8 hours in a working day.
- Works in a standard shared office environment.
- Report in-person at The Redwood’s Resident Services office.
- Works 5 days a week including weekends.
- In line with Employment Standards Act (ESA), weekend shift break-times are broken down to no more than 15minutes at a given time, and up to 4 times in one shift, spread out within the 8 hours (*this is a paid break time*). The staff shall be in the building and close the door for no more than 15 minutes at any given time and shall put a notice at the door showing the start and end of that 15-minute break.
Reports to: Resident Services Manager
Position Start Date: September 2025
Closing Date: August 19th, 2025
Schedule: Full-Time, permanent position. Compensation: $63,000/annum
Resumes and Cover Letter to: recruitment@theredwood.com
The Redwood is committed to the development of a staff and management team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Applications from Indigenous Women, Women of Color, LGBTQ+ and Women with disabilities are strongly encouraged.
The Redwood provides accommodations during all parts of the hiring process upon request to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise of any accommodations required.
Please note that as a congregate living setting, The Redwood Shelter requires all its workers to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 Proof of full vaccination status will be required to be considered for the position.
We thank everyone for their interest in this position; however, only candidates invited to interview will be contacted. As submissions are reviewed on a frequent basis, early submission is encouraged.