Job Posting: Outreach Counsellor
Location: City of Kawartha Lakes, Ontario
Organization: Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes
Position Type: Permanent Part-Time -37 hours per week
Wage Range: $27.72
Start Date: TBD
Reports To: Community Services Manager
Application Deadline: July 31, 2026
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 delivers crisis intervention, supportive counselling, advocacy, information, and referrals to women who are experiencing or have experienced violence and abuse. Working from a feminist, anti-oppression framework, the role supports women in identifying their goals, navigating community resources, and moving toward safety, healing, and empowerment. All responsibilities are carried out using a client-centred, anti-oppressive, feminist approach that aligns with WRKL’s Reason for Being and Beliefs and Aims.
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).
- Minimum two (2) years of direct experience working in the Violence Against Women sector
- 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.
Additional Details:
- Hours are flexible and may include days, evenings, and weekends
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.
- WR has an exemption to hire women only.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications to:
dbekintis@womensresources.ca by July 31, 2026 at 4:00pm
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: Relief/Casual Shelter Counsellor
Wage: $27.72 + 4% Vacation Pay
Reports To: Residential Services Manager
Application Deadline: July 31, 2026 at 12:00pm
Start Date: As soon as possible
Positions Available: (2-3)
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, relief 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, in person or on a crisis line.
- 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.
- 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 meet the physical demands of the position, including stair climbing, lifting and carrying supplies, housekeeping duties, and responding to emergency situations.
- 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 July 31, 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.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Job Posting: Family Court Support Worker
Location: Lindsay, Ontario
Organization: Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes
Employment Type: Permanent Part-Time- 30 hours per week
Reports To: Residential Services Manager
Wage: $27.72 hourly
Application Deadline: August 7, 2026 at 12:00pm
Start Date: As soon as possible
Position Summary
The Family Court Support Worker (FCSW) provides direct, trauma-informed support to victims of domestic violence who have left, are preparing to, or are in the process of, leaving an abusive relationship and are navigating the Family Court system. This role is key in ensuring clients feel supported, informed, and connected to the appropriate legal, safety, and community resources.
Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate is compassionate, organized, and committed to supporting survivors of domestic violence. They have a strong understanding of the family court system and provide trauma-informed, survivor-centred support. They build positive relationships with clients and community partners and are able to guide clients through complex legal and community service systems with empathy, professionalism, and respect.
Key Responsibilities
Client Support
- Provide accessible, clear information about the Family Court process and Family Law matters.
- Support clients in preparing for legal proceedings, including abuse history timelines and documentation.
- Assist with safety planning & risk assessments (e.g., safe travel to/from court appointments).
- Accompany clients to meetings with lawyers and to court appearances.
- Support with applications for Emergency Custody and Access.
- Debrief and explain outcomes of meetings with legal counsel, Duty Counsel, or FLIC.
- Provide emotional support, grounding techniques, and anxiety management strategies during a high-stress time.
- Help clients understand and apply for Legal Aid and assess eligibility for Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) certificates.
- Respond to lawyer requests for documentation and timelines.
- Attend Case Conferences when needed.
- Offer referrals to internal and external supports (e.g., Outreach Counselling, therapy, emergency or transitional housing, employment support, cultural services).
- Advocate for clients with family and criminal court-based services.
Community Engagement
- Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with legal and justice-sector professionals, including lawyers, courts, and victim services.
- Stay informed about changes to Family Law and community legal supports.
- Provide presentations and workshops
- Attend relevant trainings
Administrative Responsibilities
- Maintain accurate, timely, and objective notes (case notes) in accordance with agency procedures.
- Submit all administrative documentation (e.g., intake forms, service tracking, case files)
- Prepare statistical reports and contribute to program evaluation efforts.
- Participate in staff meetings, sharing relevant updates, insights, and opportunities for program growth.
- Deliver occasional team presentations on relevant legal or social service topics.
- Ensure all documentation aligns with confidentiality, ethical, and professional standards.
Qualifications
- Diploma or degree in Social Work, Social Service Work, Psychology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of two years’ experience working with survivors of intimate partner violence, domestic violence, or gender-based violence.
- Strong understanding of the dynamics and impact of domestic violence, including coercive control and post-separation abuse.
- Knowledge of the Ontario family court process, including parenting, child support, spousal support, restraining orders, and court procedures.
- Experience conducting risk assessments, safety planning, crisis intervention, and client advocacy.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed, survivor-centred, feminist, anti-oppression, and anti-racist practices.
- Ability to explain court processes and legal information in a clear and supportive manner.
- Knowledge of community resources and the ability to make appropriate referrals.
- Excellent communication, documentation, organizational, and time-management skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic client record systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in the Violence Against Women (VAW) sector.
- Knowledge of the intersections between family law, criminal law, and child protection.
- Experience supporting clients through the family court process.
- Valid driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle.
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.
- Womens Resources has an exemption to hire individuals identifying as women only.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications to:
dbekintis@womensresources.ca by August 7, 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 LGBTQ2S+ community.