Peer Support Program Co-Coordinator

Job Opportunity at The Centre for Women and Trans People

Work Study Position: Peer Support Program Co-Coordinator

Application Deadline: September 20, 2007

Start date: October 1, 2007

Position Description: This position will allow two well-organized people with an interest counselling or social work the opportunity to co-coordinate the Peer Support Program at The Centre for Women & Trans People at U of T. The Peer Support Program is designed to provide women and transgendered students with support from their peers on campus and in the community. Volunteer peer support workers are trained within an anti-oppression framework to respond to personal and social concerns. As such, Peer Support Volunteers will be empowered to provide support, advocacy and referrals regarding such issues as violence and abuse, relationships, oppression, suicide, poverty, sexual health and sexuality, adjustment to student life, and concerns of mature students. This year, The Centre will be emphasizing the provision of peer support through a small group format, a change from the previous focus of one to one support. The role of the Peer Support Co-coordinator will be to support, promote and implement the revised Peer Support Program. The tasks of the Peer Support Co-coordinator include, but are not limited to:

• Develop a training program for Peer Support volunteers using an anti-oppression framework

• Coordinate with Peer Support Volunteers to implement and promote the peer support groups

• Assist Peer Support Volunteers around group process(es) and familiarity of resources around the specific group topics

• Network with other groups on campus and in the community who offer services used in The Centre’s referrals

• Publicize the Peer Support Program to the University of Toronto and the wider community by using mainstream and alternative media, and making and distributing flyers and posters

The individual will have the opportunity to work independently in a collective environment with the support and supervision of staff and Collective members. They will gain experience in program coordination including building organizational, networking, communication and community development skills. They will also acquire a deeper understanding of issues surrounding peer support, referrals and counseling.

How to apply:
Please mail, e-mail, fax or drop off your resume directly to the Centre c/o Hiring Committee.

All resumes must be accompanied by a one-page personal statement on “Community organizing and working through oppression and privilege.” This statement is intended to give the Hiring Committee a bit of an idea of your understanding of community organizing, the work you’ve done and how you understand yourself in that work.

The Centre believes that those who are on the margins are often in better positions to understand how systems of oppression, power and privilege work and are maintained. We especially encourage people who are surviving racism, colonization, poverty, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, and sexism to apply for paid positions, as well as to volunteer in action groups and to join the Centre’s Collective.

Contact information:
The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T
c/o Hiring Committee
North Borden Building
563 Spadina Avenue, Room 100
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2J7

Email: womens.centre AT utoronto DOT ca
Fax: 416-978-1078
Website: http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca

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