Mental Health Peer Navigator (2 Positions)

Position Type: Part-time

Supervised by: Mental Health and Direct Services Manager

Hourly rate: $23 per hour

Days per week: 3-4 (22.5 hours per week)

Department: Support

Years of Experience: 1 year

The Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP) is a non-profit, community-based organization that serves Toronto’s diverse African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities. The mission of the agency is to reduce the transmission of HIV within Toronto’s Black communities while enhancing the quality of life of those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Our approach to services recognizes that holistic approaches are required as we work with people who are living with, or at risk for, HIV. Black CAP is an inclusive space that provides services to a diverse ACB population that includes newcomers, LGBTQ communities, youth, and other at-risk populations. Operating in downtown Toronto, we are supported by a broad range of government and foundation funders. As an employer we also offer competitive compensation, a comprehensive health benefits plan, an Employee Assistance Program, annual RRSP contributions and access to a wellness program. To learn more visit us at www.blackcap.ca or on social media (Facebook and Twitter) at @BlackCAPTO.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a mental health peer navigator responsible for supporting the mental health coordinator in service delivery and providing support to our HIV+ and/ or LGBTQ+ clients at Black CAP. This individual is interested and/ or has experience in mental health and community service. Additionally, they have some knowledge or experience of operating from a trauma informed lens and harm reduction approach. They are comfortable working with folks from varying backgrounds and experiences and are passionate about supporting the ACB community.

The mental health peer navigator will be responsible for supporting in the facilitation of Black CAP’s support groups for our ACB HIV+ and/ or LGBTQ+ clients, along with co-creating two (2) wellness retreats for clients, providing system navigation support and intake assessment. They will work collaborating with other members of Black CAP’s support team, specifically the mental health coordinator, and other Black CAP staff and volunteers to achieve the objectives of the program/ mission of Black CAP.

* Please note that we strongly encourage candidates from Toronto’s African, Caribbean or Black communities who bring lived and/or employment experience in relation to mental health and harm reduction. We also strongly encourage applicants who are living with HIV to consider this role.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

Assessing the needs of clients received from the community, advising and/ or referring to other services, agencies or programs and developing strategies for each.
Providing system navigation supports and identifying appropriate referrals to complementary programming based on a determinants of health framework.
Maintain knowledge of existing and emerging services for ACB PHAs and develops service relationships with relevant organizations.
Providing mental health supportive counselling for clients where
Referring clients to Black CAP’s registered
Support in the facilitation of support groups for both ACB LGBTQ+ folks and HIV+
Co-creating two (2) wellness retreats for
Entering data into Black CAP’s data collection
Conducting appropriate follow-up and complete monthly/ annual
Representing the agency on appropriate community networks and working in conjunction with other agencies and community groups to coordinate/facilitate the delivery of services.
Participating as a team member on the delivery of other activities in the Support
Attend and participate in bi-weekly staff meetings and team
Other duties as

We are seeking an individual with the following qualifications:

An understanding and/ or interest of mental health and harm reduction practices within ACB
Some knowledge of HIV/AIDS, STIs and sexual health issues and the impact of HIV/AIDS in Toronto’s ACB communities with excellent skills and knowledge of community resources and
Comfort facilitating groups and presenting to
Ability to enter accurate information into data collection sites in a timely
Demonstrated ability to refer and supporting them to access required
Experience researching effective strategies and models for peer-based programming for individuals and groups to inform program delivery.
Experience providing system navigation supports and identifying appropriate referrals to complimentary programming based on a determinants of health framework
Ability to work and operate in an environment using anti-racism and anti-oppression
Ability to accept feedback and take initiative as well as work independently and cooperatively with staff and volunteers in a culturally diverse environment.
Strong written and oral communication
Self-motivated and able to work effectively under pressure while maintaining a positive and friendly attitude as you deal with multiple personalities, projects and
Knowledge of MS Office (Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point), internet and email are
Willingness to work flexible hours including weekdays, evenings and
The ability to speak a language other than English is an

This is a bargaining unit position reporting to the Mental Health and Direct Services Manager. The position is subject to a 3-month probationary period. We thank all applicants; however only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Deadline for applications: September 30th 2022

Please forward resume and cover letter to:

Daniella Leacock

20 Victoria St., 4th Floor

email: hiring@black-cap.com

Harm Reduction Coordinator (2 Positions Available)

Position Type: Outreach

Supervised by: Director of Programs and Services

Salary Range: $49,000 – $52,000

Days per week: 5 (37.5 hours per week)

Department: Outreach/Prevention

Years of Experience: 1 year

Position Summary:

We are seeking a Harm Reduction Outreach Coordinator responsible for managing Black CAP’s Harm Reduction (HR) Program. The individual must have experience working in, and preferably managing, a harm reduction program and effectively overseeing a team in a harm reduction setting. Black CAP’s HR Program conducts prevention and education outreach to a range of clients including youth, adults, clients living with HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ people in areas of Toronto where there are geographic and social concentrations of African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) people.

The coordinator will play a role in strengthening Black CAP’s response to substance using communities and increasing levels of awareness of drug prevention and harm reduction for our clients, staff and community partners. The HR Coordinator will support the part-time peer educator who will assist in HR outreach activities and will help to supervise placement students completing their practical experience in the agency. The coordinator also works collaboratively with other members of Black CAP’s prevention/outreach team and other Black CAP staff and volunteers to achieve the objectives of the program/mission of Black CAP.

* Please note that we strongly encourage candidates from Toronto’s African, Caribbean or Black communities who bring lived and/or employment experience in relation to substance use/harm reduction. Candidates unable to demonstrate this experience will not be considered. We also strongly encourage applicants who are living with HIV to consider this role.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

Coordinate weekly harm reduction outreach sessions in northern Etobicoke, Malvern and southern Scarborough.
Manage and coordinate the delivery of workshops to adult and youth participants in areas related to harm reduction, substance use, drug prevention and the links between substance use and risk of HIV.
Conduct outreach and facilitate partnerships with organizations serving Toronto’s African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) substance using communities and relevant organizations such as Toronto Public Health, the Harm Reduction Task Force, etc.
Supervise a peer educator responsible for harm reduction outreach in ACB Trans
Train, recruit and support three peer volunteers to conduct
Co-coordinate a monthly after-hours drop-in session for the ACB substance using
Develop HR outreach
Conduct appropriate follow-up and compete monthly/annual
Attending twice monthly staff meetings and
Evaluate program related activities and complete regular
Collaborate with members of Black CAP’s prevention/outreach
Other duties assigned.

We are seeking an individual with the following qualifications:

Firm understanding of Harm Reduction models/frameworks and knowledge of substance use in diverse ACB communities.
Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, STIs and sexual health issues and the impact of HIV/AIDS in Toronto’s ACB communities with excellent skills and knowledge of community resources and supports.
Comfort conducting outreach, education and the exchange of harm reduction supplies in a range of neighbourhoods across the city. Ability to lead and motivate teams of volunteers and students in conducting outreach and education.
Experience in building awareness of harm reduction, HIV and STIs in Toronto’s ACB
Experience delivering harm reduction programming for women and sexual minority
Knowledge of, and relationships within, Toronto’s harm reduction service delivery
The ability to design, deliver and evaluate workshops and familiarity with adult education
Ability to work and operate in an environment using anti-racism and anti-oppression
Ability to accept feedback and take initiative as well as work independently and cooperatively with staff and volunteers in a culturally diverse environment.
Degree/Diploma/Certificate in Social Sciences and/or a combination of education and
Strong written and oral communication
Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and
Demonstrated ability to meet targets, deadlines and manage multiple
Self-motivated and able to work effectively under pressure while maintaining a positive and friendly attitude as you deal with multiple personalities, projects and deadlines.
Knowledge of MS Office (Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point), internet and email are
Willingness to work flexible hours including weekdays, evenings and
The ability to speak a language other than English is an asset.

This is a bargaining unit position reporting to the Program Director. The position is subject to a 3 month probationary period. We thank all applicants; however only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Deadline for applications: September 30th 2022

Please forward resume and cover letter to:

Daniella Leacock

20 Victoria St., 4th Floor

email: hiring@black-cap.com

Overdose Awareness Day 2022

Camille Orridge, A Champion of Equity in Health Care, Receives Honorary Degree

Congratulations to Camille Orridge, one of the founders of Black CAP, and A University of Toronto alumna who received an honorary degree from the university for being a pioneering healthcare leader.

Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention in partnership with St. Michael’s Hospital will be hosting an information session on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). On 21 July 2022, at HQ Toronto – 790 Bay St. Join us to learn more about PrEP from medical professionals and have your questions answered.

Pop-Up Monkey Pox Vaccine Clinic

Foreign Integration Group

Foreign Integration event happens every last Monday of the month. The focus of Black CAP Newcomer and Refugee Settlement Program is to provide settlement support services to Black, African and Caribbean newcomers to Canada who is specifically from the LGBTQ+ community and/or are newcomers living with HIV/AIDS.

Click To Register

ACB Trans & Non-Binary Community Townhall

Are you ACB Trans and Non-Binary people: As we work to improve our services to best meet Trans & Non-Binary needs, we’d love for you to come and share your experience at our Trans and Non-Binary Townhall meeting?

You’re invited to join us in person at 20 Victoria St. 4th floor Toronto ON, or virtually via Zoom. Refreshments will be served to in-person attendees.

Register in advance:

Community Research on Health Information for Rexdale Youth

Tax Clinic – ACB Community

Are you a member of the ACB Community? Do you need free support with your tax return application? Please register in advance and reserve your spot.