Food Program Facilitator

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Come Build Hope and Homes with Us!

Food Program Facilitator – Full-Time
Hamilton, Ontario-Parkdale Landing Program
Salary: $45,900-$54,600
Closing Date for Applications: November 29 th , 2024

Position Description: As a Food Program Facilitator, you will be responsible for food-related activities within the program at Parkdale Landing, including coordinating and preparing 120+ nutritious hot meals daily. Working within a collaborative interdisciplinary team, you will actively seek feedback to understand the community's needs, integrating tenant participation in meal preparation and delivery. This role focuses on food security and nutrition while coordinating and delivering mental health and addiction services to residents, many of whom have experienced long-term housing instability or extended hospital stays. The scope of work may vary from time to time based on individual and program needs. This position requires a high level of resilience and a willingness to work closely with challenging situations. You will also collaborate in promoting and demonstrating the vision, mission, and values of Indwell within the workplace and community.

About Indwell: Founded in 1974, Indwell is a Christian charity that continues to grow exponentially as we serve people impacted by poverty and homelessness through our vision of HOPE and HOMES for All. We are Ontario's fastest-growing developer of affordable, high-quality, energy-efficient housing communities, providing supportive programs to over 1,200 tenants to meet their health, wellness, and belonging needs. To learn more, visit: www.indwell.ca/our-model

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week, including evenings and public holidays, scheduled based on the support needs of individuals living in supported apartments.

What You Will Be Doing:

Food Service Delivery

• Collaborate with coworkers to oversee dinner preparation, service, and clean-up for 120 meals per day.
• Collaborate on meal planning and shopping, with an awareness of the allotted budget.
• Receive, organize, and support food orders, deliveries, and donations to minimize waste and maximize support to tenants.
• Ensure the effective, safe, and clean operation of a commercial kitchen and food storage spaces.
• Support the coordination and management of volunteer and tenant kitchen helpers.
• Support food-related programming and life skills coaching.
• Ensure safe food handling on-site and during delivery to respective programs.
• Lead and support colleagues in delivering food service with a focus on creating an equitable and hospitable atmosphere.
• Work as part of a team to provide direct and indirect support to individuals living in the apartments.
• Demonstrate an understanding of food security and nutrition needs related to cultural significance and general health.
• Understand food security barriers and their impact on residents' nutritional health.
• Recognize and promote the relationship between food and community building.
• Confidently utilize crisis management and intervention skills.
• As a representative of a faith-based organization, promote the role of spirituality in personal development and provide support as required.
• Reinforce residents’ life skills, including spiritual, social, and coping skills.
• Engage residents in skill-building activities with dignity.
• Develop and facilitate relevant group programming related to food and nutrition.
• Complete required documentation thoroughly and in a timely manner, maintaining and protecting health records.
• Demonstrate a nonjudgmental approach to implementing pest management protocols and skill-building with residents.
• Participate in relevant organizational cross-regional team and community tables.
• Perform other duties as required.

Leadership

• Consistently show initiative and engage in creative problem-solving.
• Demonstrate ongoing commitment to learning and supporting diverse individuals and communities (e.g., cultural safety, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice).
• Experience leading and/or guiding internal teams to accomplish shared goals.
• Foster a positive workplace culture through effective verbal and written communication.
• Keep the interdisciplinary team informed of community opportunities and emerging trends related to best practices in food security and nutrition.
• Engage and establish external community partnerships to improve food security for residents.
• Comfortable with landlord responsibilities, including pest management and rent collection.

Support, Direction, and Commitment to Interdisciplinary Team

• Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide direct and indirect support to residents, encouraging housing stability and food security.
• Support and collaborate with the Volunteer Coordinator to integrate program volunteers into food programming. Complete volunteer logs as required.
• Work closely with other Food Program Facilitators and food providers in the region to ensure smooth operations and incorporate resident feedback into meal programs.
• Assist in the orientation and support of staff, students, and volunteers.
• Stay informed of new research and developments relevant to your role and share knowledge with the team and residents effectively.
• Follow applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Collaborate with Indwell’s Facilities Team, supporting and reporting maintenance needs to ensure the upkeep of buildings and resident units.
• Manage administrative responsibilities, including maintaining financial records, accountability, and program evaluation.
• Adhere to and follow budget guidelines.

Health, Welfare, and Safety Practices

• Maintain a safe, healthy, and clean work environment.
• Use appropriate procedures and complete documentation when responding to emergency situations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations (e.g., Health and Safety, Public Health, Infection Control).
• Complete required safety checks and inspections as assigned.
• Participate in all required training to maintain and develop new skills.

What You Will Bring:

• Post-secondary education in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience working in mental health and/or addictions is beneficial.
• Safe Food Handling Certification (or willingness to complete the course).
• A warm, sensitive, and caring approach with a genuine interest in supporting a diverse population of people living with mental illness and/or substance use.
• Ability to work independently, be flexible, organized, responsible, and take initiative.
• Physical capability to lift and maneuver heavy objects (e.g., dish racks, bulk food items, and occasional appliances).
• Valid driver’s licence required.

We Want You to Thrive:

• Vacation : 3 weeks (15 days) paid, plus 8 HEAL days (sick and personal appointments) per year
• Extensive Benefits : Extended health (100% medication coverage—some exceptions may apply), dental and vision care, life insurance, and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program : Primary care and professional consulting services.
• Group RRSP : Indwell contributes 5% of salary
• New Staff Orientation Days
• Professional and Personal Development : Annual Leadership Conference (featuring guest speakers), Spiritual Ranch Retreat (with reflection and outdoor activities), Clifton Strengths Finder Assessment, mentoring opportunities, Lunch and Learn webinars, Indigenous Cultural Competency, 2SLGBTQ+ Awareness, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), First Aid/CPR/Naloxone, Therapeutic Relationships, and Applied Suicide Intervention (ASIST)
• Social Events : Indwell’s annual Hope and Homes Banquet to celebrate the important work we do, plus team gatherings

As Indwell works to support diverse tenant populations, we are committed to creating a diverse work culture that mirrors the diversity of our communities. We encourage applications from individuals who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, and who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives. Our supports, services, and employment opportunities are open to people of all races, ethnicities, sexes, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We especially invite applications from Black, Indigenous, and racialized peoples and other intersecting communities. Indwell's leadership is motivated by the example of Jesus Christ, as reflected in our statement of faith.

Inspired to Join Our Team? We invite you to apply:

Please forward your cover letter and resume to our website: www.indwell.ca/careers . We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Personal information submitted will only be used for employment purposes within Indwell, in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.

Accommodation will be provided to applicants who make their needs known in advance, as required under Indwell’s Employment policy.

• 205 Melvin Ave, Hamilton, ON L8H 2J9, Canada