Job Posting: Outreach Counsellor
Location: City of Kawartha Lakes, Ontario
Organization: Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes
Position Type: Fixed-Term Contract Part-Time
Hours: 37 per week
Wage Range: $27.72
Start Date: To be Determined Based on Candidate Availability. End Date: March 1st, 2027
Reports To: Community Services Manager
Application Deadline: April 8, 2026, 12:00pm
About Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes
Women’s Resources (WR) is committed to providing support, safety, and advocacy for women and children affected by gender-based violence. Rooted in feminist and anti-oppression principles, we empower women through community programs, shelter services, and outreach initiatives.
Job Summary
The Outreach Counsellor provides crisis intervention, supportive counselling, advocacy, information, and referral services to women who are experiencing or have experienced abuse. Grounded in a feminist, anti-oppression framework, this role supports women in identifying their needs, accessing community resources, and taking steps toward healing and empowerment. Services are delivered using a trauma-informed and survivor-centered approach.
Why Join Women’s Resources?
- Meaningful work supporting women and children in crisis.
- Collaborative, inclusive, and supportive team environment.
- Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
- Make a tangible impact in your community.
Key Responsibilities
- Empower women through goal setting, advocacy, and informal counselling.
- Assist women in navigating community systems, including legal, financial, housing, and healthcare.
- Educate women on dynamics of abuse, power, and control, both individually and in groups.
- Deliver immediate crisis intervention and trauma-informed support to women in the community.
- Respond to crisis calls, walk-ins, and referrals with empathy and professionalism
- Maintain accurate and confidential client records in accordance with agency policy.
- Participate actively in supervision, team meetings, and in-service training sessions.
- Liaise with internal teams, including shelter and volunteer programs, to support transitions between residential and non-residential services.
- Develop and deliver public presentations on issues related to gender-based violence, women’s safety, and available community support services, representing Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes at community events as requested.
Qualifications and Skills
- Advanced knowledge of concepts, theories and practices related to human services and/or community development, normally acquired through the completion of an undergraduate degree in Social Work, Community Mental Health, or other relevant discipline (Cases for Equivalency will be considered);
- A minimum of 2 years’ direct experience working in a Violence Against Women (VAW) setting is required
- Demonstrated understanding of gender-based violence and power and control dynamics.
- Experience in crisis counselling, safety planning, case management, and advocacy.
- Excellent knowledge of community resources and the social services system, within and adjacent to CKL
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to build trust with clients.
- Commitment to feminist and anti-oppression frameworks.
- Conflict resolution skills and the ability to maintain a non-judgmental, empathetic approach.
- Team player with the ability to work independently in a dynamic and collaborative work environment.
- Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access) and database system
- Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle (required for travel throughout the City of Kawartha Lakes).
- Openness to personal growth
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications to:
dbekintis@womensresources.ca by April 8, 2026 at 12:00pm
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.
Womens Resources has an exemption to hire individuals identifying as women only. Women’s Resources is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from Indigenous people, racialized persons, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Job Posting: Casual Shelter Worker
Location: Lindsay, Ontario
Organization: Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes
Position Type: Casual / On-Call
Wage: $27.72
Reports To: Residential Services Manager
Application Deadline: April 15, 2026 at 12:00pm
Start Date: As soon as possible
Positions Available: (3)
Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes provides emergency shelter, counselling, and support to women and their children experiencing abuse in the City of Kawartha Lakes. We are currently seeking compassionate, dedicated women interested in casual, on-call work within our 18-bed emergency shelter.
This casual position provides no guaranteed hours. Casual staff may receive some advance scheduling; however, the majority of shifts will be short-notice call-ins. Employees must be available to work overnights, weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts as needed to support 24/7 shelter operations.
All services are provided within a feminist, anti-oppression, anti-racism, trauma-informed framework.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide supportive counselling, safety planning, crisis intervention, and risk assessments to women and their children.
- Maintain a safe, welcoming, and clean shelter environment.
- Assist with shelter operations including admissions, documentation, shift communication, and adherence to agency policies.
- Support residents with system navigation (housing, income supports, childcare subsidy applications, tax forms, legal services, etc.).
- Advocate confidently and professionally with community agencies on behalf of residents.
- Respond effectively in a fast-paced, high-risk environment where priorities shift quickly.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Mandatory availability for overnight shifts, as well as evenings, weekends, holidays, and short-notice calls.
- Post-secondary education in Social Service Work, Social Work, or a related field.
- Experience in a residential, shelter, counselling, mental health, or addictions environment.
- Strong understanding of feminist gender analysis, violence against women, and anti-oppression/anti-racism principles.
- Demonstrated skills in risk assessment, crisis intervention, de-escalation, trauma-informed support, and harm reduction.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficiency in Windows, databases, and electronic documentation.
- Knowledge of community services, housing systems, social supports, and legal resources.
- Ability to work independently and within a team-based environment.
- Current First Aid/CPR, NVCI, and ASIST (or willingness to obtain).
- Commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and supportive shelter environment.
- Must be able to pass a Vulnerable Sector check.
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum two years’ experience in a residential or VAW shelter setting.
- Experience supporting women with mental health concerns and/or substance use using trauma-informed, harm-reduction practices.
Accessibility & Inclusion:
- Women’s Resources welcomes and encourages applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request throughout the hiring process. Please contact us to let us know how we can support your participation.
- Women’s Resources has an exemption to hire women only.
To Apply:
Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications to:
dbekintis@womensresources.ca by April 15, 2026 at 12:00pm
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.
Women’s Resources is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from Indigenous people, racialized persons, people with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.