INTERNAL/ EXTERNAL JOB POSTING: YOUTH COUNSELLOR/GROUP FACILITATOR
Date Posted: July 22, 2026
Application Dateline: July 31, 2026
Hours of Work: 35 hours/ week, Full-time Permanent
Hourly Wage: $32.87
Reports to: Program Manager
Classification: Counsellor (Bargaining member position)
Location: On Site office and communities in Toronto, ON
About Us
Elizabeth Fry Toronto delivers gender-based, trauma-informed services and advocates for justice and equity for criminalized women, Trans, non-binary, and Two Spirit people, as well as their families. We envision communities where women and gender-diverse people are not criminalized. Our work is grounded in an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, intersectional feminist, abolitionist framework and guided by our values of Compassion, Equity & Inclusion, Excellence, and Accountability. We support the empowerment and well-being of criminalized individuals through responsive, client-centered programs that address the complex and systemic barriers they face. Our services are rooted in trauma-informed and harm reduction practices, assisting people at various stages of involvement in the criminal justice system.
We are currently seeking a compassionate and experienced Counsellor to deliver Standing Strong, a youth dating violence prevention program for young women (ages 16–29) who have experienced gender-based and/or family violence. The program utilizes the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM), a fully manualized, evidence-based group intervention that supports women in recovering from the effects of trauma and building the knowledge, skills, and resilience needed to foster healthy relationships and safer futures. Through trauma-informed group counselling, participants are supported in their healing journey while strengthening self-esteem, developing healthy coping strategies, and enhancing their overall well-being.
The Counsellor is responsible for the planning, delivery, and evaluation of the Standing Strong program. Using trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and harm reduction approaches, the Counsellor creates a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment that promotes healing, resilience, and self-determination. The successful candidate will independently facilitate TREM groups, provide individual support and referrals as appropriate, and work collaboratively with community partners to enhance participant access to services and resources. Services are delivered in both virtual and in-person settings. A successful police background check may be required as a condition of employment. Working within established organizational policies, program standards, and professional practice guidelines, the Standing Strong Counsellor will be responsible for the following core duties:
Key Responsibilities
▪Provide individual counselling, crisis intervention, safety planning, advocacy, and referrals to support young women affected by gender-based violence and/or family violence.
▪Complete client intakes, assessments, case planning, and ongoing participant support based on individual needs and goals.
▪Develop, facilitate, and evaluate group sessions and activities aligned with the Standing Strong program model.
▪Maintain accurate and confidential client files, case notes, reports, and program documentation in accordance with agency and funder requirements.
▪Collect program data, support evaluation activities, and contribute to ongoing program improvement with the evaluation team.
▪Recruit, orient, and support Peer Leaders who assist with group activities and participant engagement.
▪Coordinate participant scheduling, group logistics, resources, and virtual and in-person service delivery.
▪Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners and service providers to support participants’ access to resources.
▪Work collaboratively within a small team, participating in team meetings, case consultations, and program planning.
▪Maintain professional, ethical, and legal standards, including confidentiality, health and safety requirements, and agency policies.
▪Participate in training, professional development, and other duties that support the successful delivery of the Standing Strong program.
▪Apply anti-oppressive, anti-racist, harm reduction, motivational, and mindfulness-based approaches in service delivery.
Qualifications
▪Degree or diploma in Social Work, Community/Social Services, Psychology, Criminology, or a related field, or a combination of education and experience.
▪Minimum 3-5 years of counselling and facilitation experience, preferably working with young women from diverse ethno-cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, including transgender and LGBTQ2+ communities. Experience working with justice-involved women and marginalized groups is an asset.
▪Strong understanding of the criminal justice system, especially as it relates to women; trauma from feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppression perspectives; and restorative justice principles.
▪Demonstrated use of trauma-informed, feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppression, and harm reduction practices.
▪Strong facilitation and client engagement skills, case documentation and management, crisis intervention, problem solving, and decision-making using appropriate communication channels.
▪Proficient in updating client information systems, Microsoft 365 suite, and virtual platforms.
▪Excellent interpersonal, relationship management, oral and written communication, and organizational skills.
▪Ability to work independently and collaboratively in-person.
▪Bilingual in French or other languages is an asset.
▪Ability to travel occasionally between offices and community locations as required.
Working Conditions
▪ This is an in-person job, some services may be delivered virtually
▪ Office located on the subway line, some service delivery may be at community locations
How to Apply
Please send your cover letter and resume in ONE document to [email protected] by 5 P.M. on July 31, 2026, Applicants must list Youth Counsellor /Group Facilitator – Full Time in the subject line of the email.
We appreciate all applications, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Diversity Statement
Elizabeth Fry Toronto is committed to equity and inclusion and encourages applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, and other equity-deserving communities. We recognize the importance of lived experience in the criminal justice system and value applications from those with relevant personal insight. We are committed to creating a respectful, barrier-free hiring process. If you require accommodation during any stage of the hiring process, please let us know.
AI Disclosure:
We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants at any stage of the hiring process.
Pay: $32.87 per hour
Work Location: In person
