Job Opportunity at The Centre for Women and Trans People

Work Study Position: The Spice/Food Justice Programt Facilitator

Number of Vacancies: 1

Application Deadline: May 28, 2012 at 3PM

Start date: May 31, 2012

What is the job?                                                     

This position will require an individual who has a love for food, community building and interest in the social determinants of health for the coordination of “The Spice”, an ongoing weekly outreach cooking programme at the Centre for Women and Trans people at U. of T. The Spice is a participatory cooking programme promoting community building. The Spice brings people on campus together to contribute their culinary ideas and learn new skills while building bridges among communities. The programme was developed out of the awareness of the growing poverty on campus and the need to promote healthy lifestyles. The objectives of the project are to outreach to the campus and larger communities, build networks around addressing poverty and food issues, promote healthy, nutritious and affordable food as well as preparation skills and knowledge to participants. The tasks of the Spice Programme Facilitator include:

• Plan a weekly lunch cooking programme, including finding nutritional and diverse recipes, and facilitating meal preparation
• Purchase supplies for the programme
• Foster a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere
• Facilitate discussions around issues of food security within an anti-oppression framework with volunteers and participants
• Network with other groups on campus and in the community who are doing work around poverty, food, and nutrition
• In collaboration with other campus and community groups, develop summer skill-sharing workshops related to urban gardening and food sovereignty
• Publicize The Spice to the University of Toronto and wider communities by using campus, mainstream, alternative, and social media, including making and distributing flyers and posters
• Maintain an online recipe blog
• Maintain a recipe book of the recipes used in the program
• Ensure the Community Cupboard is well-stocked

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 and programme coordination skills, including leadership, organizational, interpersonal, communication and community development skills. They will also acquire a deeper understanding of issues of poverty and food issues as it relates to health, as well as new cooking skills.

How many hours of work are available:

12

Specify any special features about the hours of work:

Thursdays required, occasional evenings and weekends during peak program periods

Who can apply?

Students must:

—     Have qualified for Summer OSAP assistance; OR have qualified for student financial aid from a province / territory other than Ontario (confirmation required); OR are receiving Band funding from the Aboriginal Student Support Program (confirmation required); AND

—     Have registered in at least 60%* of a full course load for the entire summer from May to August at the University of Toronto.  *40% for students who have documented permanent disabilities.

Students registered in Toronto School of Theology programs are NOT eligible to participate in this program.

How To Apply:

Please mail, e-mail, fax or drop off your resume, cover letter and one-page personal statement (details below) directly to The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T c/o Hiring Committee. Please indicate which position you are applying for in your application.

All applications 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.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
· Mail

The Centre for Women & Trans People at U of T
c/o Hiring Committee
563 Spadina Ave., Room 100
North Borden Building
Toronto ON M5S 2J7

· Fax: (416) 978-1078

· Email: thecentre.hiring AT gmail DOT com

· In person

*****

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.