Facilitator, Y Mind Teen

Date Posted:January 24 2022

Position Title: Y Mind Teen Group Facilitator

Location: Virtual and Robert Lee YMCA, 955 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y2

Terms: Part-time, Temporary

Hours: 5 hours per week; Wednesdays 4pm - 6:30pm and Thursdays 4pm – 6:30pm

Salary:$30 per hour

Start Date:March 2 2022 (Plus 3 training shifts ideally to occur in February 2022)

End Date: May 26, 2022 (with possibility of extension based on funding for Fall 2022 cycle)

Reports To: Supervisor, YMCA Y Mind Programs

Situation:

The YMCA of Greater Vancouver is a charity dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community, by nurturing the potential of children, teens, adults and seniors, promoting healthy lifestyles, fostering a sense of social responsibility and delivering lasting personal & social change. We are building a community in which a generation of children and families reach their full potential. Our values guide our decision-making and behaviour—we do the right thing, put people first, keep our promises and lead by example.

For over 130 years, we have been part of the community, a place where people of every age and background find the support they need to grow in spirit, mind and body. One of the Lower Mainland’s leading charities, the YMCA of Greater Vancouver provides services in health, fitness & aquatics, childcare, camping, employment & community services to over 120,000 participants annually.

The YMCA Y Mind Teen program supports teenagers who experience symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety to learn healthy coping strategies and connect with peers in a safe and encouraging group environment.

The Y Mind Teen Program meets for 1.5 hours weekly for 7 weeks. Two Y Mind Teen Facilitators are responsible for the intake and assessment of 12 group participants, co-facilitation of the program, and delivery of the program sessions at the Robert Lee YMCA and Online via Zoom from home. The Y Mind Teen Group Facilitator will co-lead this psychoeducation and support group to help participants learn about their anxiety and discover helpful coping tools through creative activities and discussions grounded in mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Nature and Scope:

Reporting to the Y Mind Supervisor, the Y Mind Teen Group Facilitator will work collaboratively with other staff and participants. The Y Mind Teen Group Facilitator is responsible for screening and onboarding new participants and delivering program sessions. If program participants require additional support, the Y Mind Teen Group Facilitator would provide appropriate community referrals.

Two separate Y Mind Teen programs are set to be delivered this Winter/Spring. One program will be running virtually on Wednesdays, and one program will be running in person at the Robert Lee YMCA in downtown Vancouver. Both programs will run virtually if mandated by public health orders.

Major Responsibilities:

• Intake of program applicants at information sessions.
• Co-facilitate group sessions and create a warm, welcoming, and safe group environment.
• Maintain a strengths-based approach that inspires participants to engage in self-development & change.
• Support applicants and participants to contact appropriate referrals to community agencies when necessary.
• Organization of data for evaluation of program.
• Ensure the safety of all members, participants, staff, and property by following YMCA standards/policies/procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in mental health field or counselling related field.
• Experience leading psychoeducation & support groups.
• Experience working with teens (13-17 years of age) with mild to moderate anxiety.
• Understanding of mindfulness and knowledge of mindfulness practices.
• Experience with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) preferred.
• Experience conducting intakes.
• Ability to recognize mental health signs and symptoms beyond the mild to moderate spectrum and provide referrals to appropriate medical and community agencies.
• Successful candidates will be required to provide a current and satisfactory Criminal Reference Check/Vulnerable Sector Search issued no later than six (6) months preceding your start date

Competencies:

Commitment to Organization and Values: Demonstrates and promotes a personal understanding of and appreciation for mission, vision, strategic outcomes and values of the YMCA of Greater Vancouver.

Service Orientation: Deliberately identifies needs and wants of members/participants as priority, and creates opportunities to enhance each and every person’s YMCA experience.

Teamwork: Ability to work effectively with others to achieve optimal collective results.

Communication:Ability to speak, write, listen, and secure information in a variety of settings

Outcomes Oriented:Ability to lead, manage, and achieve identified goals.