We offer placement opportunities for College and University
students throughout the year in the following programs:
For placement inquiries contact Joanna Panayiotous, Administrative Coordinator email: joanna.panayiotous@durhamyouth.com
Joanne’s House
Students have the option of joining daytime shifts or evening shifts for 8 hours at a time, please reach out for details. Shifts run between the hours of 8:30 am to 4: 30 pm or 4 pm to midnight Monday to Friday.
Tasks may include: working with clients around life skills and daily routines, assisting with intakes and screening phone calls, and helping to maintain the house cleanliness and daily chores.
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Housing First for Youth (HF4Y)
Students work alongside the HF4Y worker in an outreach capacity. The HF4Y Worker works intensively with youth for as long as it takes for them to transition to independence and well-being. This program runs Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 am to 5 pm, however it can include evenings and weekends.
Tasks include: assisting with case management meetings/ calls, accompanying the HF4Y worker on appointments in the community, and attending meetings with community partners.
Youth Reconnect Program
Students work alongside the Youth Reconnect Counsellor as they provide case management, advocacy, and support to youth in the community. This program runs Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 am to 5 pm, however it can include evenings and weekends.
Tasks include: assisting with case management, accompanying the Youth Reconnect Counsellor on appointments in the community, and attending meetings with community partners.
Housing Support Program
Students work alongside the Housing Support Coordinator as they provide case management, advocacy, and support to youth residing at our Harris House residence as well as to youth experiencing chronic homelessness in the community. This program runs Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 am to 5 pm, however it can include evenings and weekends.
Tasks include: assisting with case management, accompanying the Housing Support Coordinator on appointments in the community and attending meetings with community partners.
Prevention
Do I need to come to the shelter to get help from DYS?
Not at all! We believe everyone deserves better than living in a shelter, and we are committed to helping everyone find a safe and stable living situation outside of the shelter environment. This is why, when you come to us, we try to find you housing even before you come to the shelter. And, just because you aren’t staying with us, doesn’t mean we won’t do what we can to support your success. Give our Shelter Diversion Counsellor a call to talk about what options you may have, or click here to see our prevention programs.
What is HSP?
Our Housing Support Program, is geared to support individuals who do not require daily assistance, in maintaining their housing, and working towards their next goals. We can support with food security, obtaining mental health supports, making meaningful connections in your new community, landlord advocacy, and connecting to health professionals! We will continue to support you as long as you want or need us to!
Transitional housing… What’s that?
We know that sometimes people need some time with additional support to be able to get on their feet and to succeed in independent living. In our two transitional houses – one in Whitby and one in Ajax – clients to stay for up to a year while they work on personal goals with the support of our Housing Support Program worker. You pay rent, and work with others to manage the house, while working towards your personal goals. After completing a year in our transitional program our HSP worker will support you in finding independent housing.
What is Housing First For youth?
Housing First For Youth is a program utilized to support clients with complex challenges who struggle to maintain stable housing. There is support offered for rent subsidy, addictions, food security, and a variety of other areas! We offer intense case management to help you, and we will continue to support you in this program until we both feel you are ready for graduation!
What is Family Reconnect, and what does that program do?
Our Family Reconnect program is a family and natural supports program that collaborates with the youth, and their guardian, or natural support to mediate any conflict and keep the youth at home. Our Family Natural Supports Lead can support the youth with any challenges they face which impact, or could impact their relationship with their guardian, or natural supports. Additionally, the Family Natural Supports Lead will work with the parent to teach them how to best support the youth, and meet them where they are at. We have an amazing track record of strengthening families and helping them thrive!
Community
Are you currently accepting donations?
Gratefully! Thank you for choosing us!
We are always accepting monetary donations in support of our clients. Additionally, we would love to get some household items for when our clients successfully move to housing (think about what you needed when you got your first apartment!)
We love getting gift cards that we can pass on to clients, which also gives the gift of dignity, allowing them the ability to shop for what is most meaningful to them.
Admittedly, we have limited storage space inside our shelter. When accepting gently used items, we will assess whether the items match what our current clients need. When items are a match, we gratefully accept them, and pass them on to our clients. When items do not match the needs of our current clients, we simply do not have the space to store donations. We have a partnership with the Canadian Diabetes Association, and we will share the donation with them, making a contribution to another worthy cause.
How can I help support your agency in their mission?
We are grateful that you want to! We have many opportunities to volunteer time and talent, to contribute financially or with gift cards or other products, or to help in other meaningful ways. We are happy to connect with you about our current needs, and how you may be able to support. Please reach out to our Administrative Coordinator through contact@durhamyouth.com to discuss.
I’ve been donating a long time, can I come meet your clients?
We appreciate our amazing community donors! However, we value our client’s confidentiality, and privacy very strongly! Our staff would be happy to connect with you to talk about how your donations are making a meaningful difference.
I would love to work for your agency how can I apply?
All our job postings can be found on our Indeed page!
I am a student looking for a placement opportunity, how can I apply?
For more information on student placement click here.
Please send your resume/cover letter to Joanna.panayiotous@durhamyouth.com
