Search Homelessness Services Association of BC

Job Description / Duties

The role is a unique combination of community engagement, agency support and hands-on trouble-shooting in the community. The Coordinator works directly with agency staff to ensure the program runs smoothly throughout New Westminster, providing support to both agency staff and I’S employees and ensuring the availability of needed supplies and funding. They are also the face of the program in the community at community events and engage directly with local business and potential partners/donors to support the development of the program's sustainability in collaboration with the NWHCS Coalition and Projects Coordinator, other Contractors, and the Society Board.

Qualifications / Required Skills

- Experience in project development and coordination community engagement and diverse partnership development.
- A high degree of personal motivation and initiative with the ability to work under pressure, multi-task, and communicate effectively.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships (i.e., with agency staff, IOTS participants, local business, community organizations, community members, etc.) and include diverse voices in decision making.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a team with diverse members to achieve a project's goals.
- Awareness and understanding of the challenges facing vulnerable populations and the working poor; particularly those who are multi-barriered as a result of homelessness, being precariously housed or having mental health, addiction or criminal justice issues.
- Experience working with individuals with lived experience (i.e., mental health, addictions, etc.).
- Strong verbal and written communication skills: in person, over the phone, email, text, with experience in resource and presentation development for different audiences (i.e., volunteers, community partners, staff, etc.).
- Competency with MS Word, Excel, Google Drive and other applicable online applications.
- Familiarity with the New Westminster community, its community services and local businesses.
- Willingness to work outside in adverse weather conditions.
- Availability to attend community events in the evening hours and/or on weekends (contingent on funding)
- Valid driver's license with access to a vehicle.
- Access to an equipped home office.

Additional Information

About the I’s on the Street (I’S) Program

I’S is an award winning street cleaning service designed to serve as a “stepping stone” to regular employment by re-connecting individuals who are homeless or at risk, in recovery or living with a mental illness, back into the community. I’S has provided employment to many people since its inception over 10 years ago and has a proven record of success while demonstrating to the community that homeless people, even those with a history or mental illness/addiction misuse, can participate effectively in employment and deliver quality work.

Through relationships with local service providers, agency staff first connect individuals to needed support services (i.e., immediate shelter needs, safety needs, employment issues, health and psychiatric needs) and once these needs are met the focus is then turned to their social integration through employment which rebuilds their confidence and self respect. Participants are provided with a flexible work schedule which can accommodate those with health issues or a need to transition into employment. They work 2 to 3 3-hour shifts a week and are paid a living wage rate, in cash at the end of the week. By engaging with the community in roles in which they are valued instead of feared, I’S participants develop and enhance their positive self-worth, which in turn better prepares them to function effectively in other areas of their lives. Their self esteem, social skills and communication skills improve. They become empowered, building habits and attitudes needed to be a self-supporting member of the community.

The Society developed I’S in partnership with member agencies and with the financial support of the local business community and generous community donations. The Downtown BIA has been a long-time supporter of I’S and currently provides annual funding to support a part-time program in the downtown core. With additional funding in 2022 and 2023, the Society supported a Downtown expansion and moved into the Uptown, 12th Street and Sapperton neighbourhoods. A part time I’S Coordinator works directly with agency staff at Lookout Housing and Health, Fraserside’s New Leaf Clubhouse, and the Elizabeth Fry Society to support the program, and is the main face of the program in the community. The Society’s goal is to see I’S become an independent social enterprise. With this in mind, they have been developing a sustainability plan and are also currently seeking new funding for 2024.

Salary: $30/hr (contractor responsible for their own taxes and GST if applicable)

Contact Information

Please apply via email with a resume, cover letter, and 3 references to: admin@nwhomeless.ca with Contract Position – I’s on the Street P/T Coordinator in the subject line. Attn: I’s on the Street Hiring Committee

Employer Profile

The New Westminster Homeless Coalition was formed in 2005 to develop responses to homelessness in the community of New Westminster, British Columbia. In 2012 we incorporated and became the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society to better succeed in our long-term mission to help those in need in New Westminster. With this in mind we create partnerships, raise awareness, and support initiatives that ensure members of our community have access to healthy safe housing options and adequate support services. We envision a community where every individual is treated with dignity while experiencing a socially just quality of life. Our member organizations deliver housing, outreach, food, job training, crisis intervention, and youth programs, and witness first-hand the day-to-day challenges of poverty and homelessness in our city.
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