Coordinator, Youth Leadership Program

Who we are

Children are at the front and centre of what we do; they are the foundation of our purpose and the basis for our evidence-driven strategy. Our mission is to transform the lives of children, youth and their families by developing and delivering innovative, research-based mental health and early learning programs. At the Child Development Institute (CDI), we are passionate about helping our communities' most vulnerable members and their caregivers. It motivates each of us to face what can be difficult situations while continuously finding the purest joy in play, in silence, in advice, and in the unbelievable strength and resilience of our young clients. Joining us now is a rewarding opportunity to be part of an organization that is built on a legacy of more than 100 years of helping children and families. 

Recognized as a leader and model for measurement-based impact, we are client-centred, family-centred, and data-informed. We are a place where professionals grounded in mental health, care, and well-being of infants, children and youth, come together in collaboration, learning and inclusion. As a multiservice organization delivering social, emotional, and behavioural counselling services, early childhood education, learning disabilities and mental health services, and family violence services, we address the whole person from when they begin their life. Every child and family that reaches out to us is unique, and we value and embrace their individuality. We deliver the tailored support and tools they need to build life-long skills, positive mental health, and resilience. With their trust in us, we guide children and families along a supportive journey. It is an often difficult path and simultaneously the most rewarding experience for providers, children and families.

Who we need 

Stop Now And Plan (SNAP) is an evidence-based program that helps children and youth build emotional regulation, self-control, and problem-solving skills so they can make better choices and stay connected to school and community. SNAP Boys Youth Leadership Services supports youth ages 11 to 18 who have graduated from SNAP, offering ongoing programming focused on leadership, mentorship, employment readiness, school support, and family engagement.

Reporting to the SNAP Supervisor, we are hiring a Program Coordinator, SNAP Boys Youth Leadership to lead the day-to-day delivery of this impactful SNAP program component. You will create engaging experiences, build strong relationships with youth, families, and community partners, and coordinate support staff and volunteers to ensure the program runs smoothly and with purpose. You will also spend 20% of your time providing support and case coordination for youth transitioning from the SNAP Youth Justice program aimed at  successful reintegration and reducing the risk of further involvement with the justice system.

This is an existing on-site role working 28 hours per week at our 46 St. Clair Gardens location. To meet the needs of our clients, flexibility to travel to other GTA sites and work a minimum of two evenings a week is required.

What's in it for you 

Change lives, every day. You will be a steady, trusted presence for youth as they build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging by reinforcing the skills they learned in the SNAP program. Your leadership will help youth see new possibilities for themselves and feel supported as they navigate school, family, and community life.

Create something that matters. You will shape engaging, relationship-driven programming that reflects the voices and interests of youth while providing structure and care. From meaningful conversations to shared meals and activities, you will create a space where growth feels safe, motivating, and purposeful.

Lead with purpose and influence. You will guide the delivery of SNAP Boys Youth Leadership Services, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure the program continues to evolve and thrive—turning vision into action and making a lasting impact on the young people and families who count on it.

As our new Program Coordinator, SNAP Boys Youth Leadership, you will:

• Lead and organize program delivery. You will plan and deliver manual driven core SNAP YLS programming, including group facilitation, individual mentoring, SNAP-based counselling, family and school support, and employment readiness activities, ensuring responsive, culturally informed, and developmentally appropriate services for each participant.
• Coordinate SNAP service delivery. Under the guidance of the SNAP Supervisor, you will oversee daily program operations, including scheduling, staffing, and service flow, ensuring programming aligns with CDI's mission and delivers consistent, high-quality outcomes.
• Support youth justice program participants. You will work directly with youth transitioning from custody and collaborate with probation offices and community partners to support integration, respond to risk and safety needs, and reduce barriers to school, work, and community connection.
• Participate in CDI initiatives. You will support CDI's Youth Engagement initiative, contribute to committees and site visits, and prepare updates, presentations, and outcome reporting for internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare and support staff and volunteers. You will train, schedule, and mentor staff and volunteers, fostering a supportive, accountable, and professional team environment.
• Collaborate and foster relationships. You will build strong relationships with families, caregivers, schools, community agencies, and justice and health partners to support coordinated, integrated service delivery and active family engagement.
• Lead and model therapeutic practice. You will apply evidence-based SNAP interventions and contribute to program planning, quality improvement, evaluation, data-informed service delivery and measurement based care.
• Ensure compliance and administrative excellence. You will complete required documentation, manage program resources within budget, and ensure services meet legislative, accreditation, confidentiality, and workplace health and safety standards.
• Provide leadership and communication. You will represent the program professionally, participate in meetings and committees, and keep the SNAP Supervisor informed of service delivery updates, clinical considerations, and emerging issues.
• Promote safe and ethical practice. You will model ethical, trauma-informed, and respectful practice and contribute to a culture of accountability, diversity, inclusion, equity and continuous quality improvement.
   

What you bring:

• Education and knowledge. You hold a CYW/CYC diploma or degree from an accredited post-secondary institution and bring at least three years of experience working with children, youth, and families in therapeutic or children's mental health settings. You have a strong understanding of child and youth development and evidence-based interventions and apply this knowledge in program planning and service delivery.
• Community experience. You are passionate about working with youth and have experience providing individual support and facilitating groups. You understand the pressures youth, and particularly boys, face and can build effective relationships with employment, wellness, child & youth mental health and community service partners. You bring professional experience in youth justice and support integration with respect and without judgment.
• Program and clinical experience. You have demonstrated ability to understand and identify youth mental health needs, respond to complex presentations, and provide appropriate intervention within your scope of practice. You support youth and families using evidence-informed approaches and are committed to ongoing professional development and best practices in children's mental health.
• Commitment to ethical and inclusive practice. You uphold high professional and ethical standards in client care, documentation, and confidentiality and work within an anti-oppressive, equity-informed framework. You foster inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environments for youth and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Relationship-building and adaptability. You build trust quickly with youth and families through strong communication and listening skills and can manage competing priorities, interruptions, and crisis situations with professionalism and calm.
• Flexibility and mobility. You are willing to work at least two evenings per week and have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle to travel to Youth Justice participants located up to two hours outside the GTA. Alternatively, visits may be conducted using public transit and ride shares.

Other requirements

• All applicants are advised that offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Credential verifications and references are required.

Compensation: At Child Development Institute (CDI), we believe that compensation should be transparent, fair, and supportive of your experience and growth. For this role, the salary is between $56,000 - $57,564 per annum (based on a 28 hour work week). Salary is determined by the complexity of the position and internal equity, ensuring a fair and competitive salary within our sector.

We believe in transparency and open conversations about compensation. If you have any questions about our approach, we are happy to discuss them throughout the hiring process.

Join us.

Fostering positive transformations in mental health for over a century, CDI is a world-class leader trusted in helping children, youth and families through a wide range of evidence-informed services to build lasting change.

At CDI, we prioritize the mental well-being and work-life balance of our teams. We acknowledge the reality of the emotionally demanding work each of us puts in every day. To that end, we strive to create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity flourish by offering:

• Flexible hours in a planned program environment.
• A focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Ongoing paid professional development opportunities and certifications. 

If you want to be part of our vision to make a measurable lifelong impact on the mental health and well-being of children, youth and their families, join us.

Apply now

If you're excited about this role but your experience aligns differently with every requirement, we encourage you to apply. While specific qualifications are strictly required, others can be based on various experiences, backgrounds, and knowledge. We can't promise an interview, but we will consider your whole application. 

What you can expect from our interview process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor to discuss your interest in joining the company and in the role. The conversation will be recorded using BrightHire, an AI-powered video interview tool. More details will be shared when you are invited to interview. 
• An in-person interview with the Supervisor of the Clinical SNAP program, the Senior Manager, SNAP and Therapeutic Recreation Programs and an HR Representative,where you will have the opportunity to further expand on your experience and ask about the day-to-day accountabilities of the role.

CDI is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace which is free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations, please reach out to us at  

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