Community Justice worker (Youth Link)

Organization: John Howard Society of York Region

Title: Community Justice worker (Youth Link)

Reports to: Youth Services Manager

Compensation: 27.62 per hour

Employment Type: PT contract-14 hours per week (until March 31, 2026)

The John Howard Society is a criminal justice agency that provides services in the areas of prevention, intervention, and reintegration. Our primary focus is to reduce the impact of crime and its causes through the delivery of relevant programs.

Position Summary: The primary function of this position is to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive case management to youth, priority ages 6-26, and their families, at heightened risk of involvement in, victimization by, crime, or involved in the justice system. The Community Justice Worker will focus on delivering intensive wraparound supports that address immediate and long-term needs through before, during, and after intervention care. This includes ensuring equitable access to justice supports by removing barriers to legal aid, connecting youth to culturally relevant services, and coordinating cross-sectoral care through a one door approach. Acting as a consistent point of contact, the Community Justice Worker will advocate for youth across multiple systemsjustice, education and communitywhile fostering trust, continuity, and empowerment. Through individualized service navigation, the Community Justice Worker will promote resilience, support life skills development, and engage caregivers to strengthen support networks. In all interactions, the Case Manager will amplify youth voices, uphold their autonomy in decision-making, while creating pathways for them to thrive through youth-centered care.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with Youth Services Manager to ensure program is adhering to contract standards, aligns with agency values, and upholds trauma-informed and culturally responsive best practices.
• Deliver individualized support and workshops to youth engaged in the justice system, both in-person and virtually, including during daytime, evening, and weekend hours, as required.
• Provide intensive case management and wraparound supports before, during, and after justice system involvement, ensuring continuity of care and client-centered service delivery.

• Attend the Roy McMurty Detention Centre, as well as the Newmarket Courthouse to provide on site support for incarcerated youth.

• Utilize the APIC model and other relevant assessment and case planning tools to develop individualized, youth-driven care and navigation plans that prioritize stabilization, empowerment, and long-term success.
• Advocate for youth navigating legal systems by supporting access to Legal Aid, appealing denials, coordinating translation, transportation, and interpretation services, and connecting clients with culturally relevant legal supports.
• Act as the primary point of contact for youth by coordinating cross-sector supportsjustice, education, health, housing, and communityto reduce service fragmentation and ensure a seamless one door experience.
• Build strong relationships with culturally specific organizations, advocacy groups, and community-based partners to ensure supports are equitable, inclusive, and reflective of youth identities through outreach.
• Provide life skills development, resilience-building supports, and justice system education to empower youth and caregivers to make informed decisions and build independence.
• Develop and maintain a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental environment that fosters trust, respect, and belonging for all youth participants.
• Prepare and distribute educational and informational materials tailored to the needs, literacy levels, and cultural backgrounds of youth and their families.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation and reporting in alignment with agency policies, funder requirements, and confidentiality standards.
• Monitor program effectiveness, contributing to ongoing program improvement and ensuring services meet established goals and youth outcomes based on youth services managers directions.
• Participate in interagency collaboration, community development, and committees to strengthen partnerships and advocate for systemic change benefiting justice-involved youth as directed by youth services manager.
• Attend regular team/staff meetings, supervision sessions, and professional development opportunities or other training opportunities as directed by youth services manager to ensure alignment, learning, and consistency of service delivery.
• Uphold organizational policies and values by delivering services through an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and culturally safe lens.
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality at all times, ensuring ethical and respectful engagement with youth, families, and partners.
• Serve as a JHSYR Designated Bingo Ambassador at least once per quarter, contributing to community engagement and supporting the sustainability of essential services.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Youth Services Manager to support the success of the Youthlink program and the agencys mission.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with the justice system, marginalization, or navigating systemic barriers (either personally or through close community/family experience) is considered a strong asset and highly encouraged.
• Post-secondary education in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, Criminology, Psychology, or a related human services field, or an equivalent combination of education and lived/professional experience.
• Experience with assessment tools such as YASI and APIC models of practice is an asset.
• Demonstrated understanding of the youth justice system, including community reintegration, diversion, and restorative approaches.
• Proven experience providing intensive case management, wraparound supports, or service navigation for youth or individuals facing complex social, legal, or systemic challenges.
• Commitment to and demonstrated practice in anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and culturally safe approaches to service delivery.
• Strong knowledge of and connection to culturally specific, community-based, and identity-affirming supports, particularly those serving Black, Indigenous, racialized, newcomer, and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
• Excellent advocacy and systems navigation skills, with the ability to coordinate multi-sectoral supports across justice, education, health, housing, and community settings.
• Skilled in building trust and rapport with youth facing multiple barriers, including those who may be disengaged, system-involved, or distrustful of authority.
• Knowledge of youth development, resilience-building, and life skills education, with the ability to deliver one-on-one and group-based interventions.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and communication skills, including experience in maintaining accurate case notes and producing required program reports.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, demonstrating flexibility, empathy, and accountability.
• Proficiency with technology and client management systems; experience using databases or electronic case management tools is an asset.
• Willingness to work flexible hours (daytime, evening, and weekend shifts) to meet the needs of youth.
• Familiarity with crisis intervention techniques and a foundational understanding of harm reduction principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including SharePoint, Excel, and Canva, to support program development and maintenance.
• A valid drivers license, access to a reliable vehicle, or reliable alternative transportation and the ability to travel within York Region as required.
• Current CPR/First Aid and Vulnerable Sector Screening (or willingness to obtain).

Please note:JHSYR is building a workforce which is representative of the York Region community and our programs and policies are designed to foster diversity and inclusion. Our organization is committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. JHSYR offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation.

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing proof of qualifications and additional background screening where applicable. Having a criminal record does not necessarily preclude you from employment with JHSYR.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who apply and advise that we will be responding only to those selected for an interview.

To Apply: Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter attention: Nikki Hanson, Program Manager by 4:00 pm EST, on Friday October 31, 2025.