Women’s Support Worker (Relief)

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  • CompanyAtlohsa Family Healing Services
  • Job TypeHuman/Social Services
  • Required ExperienceMid-level
  • Job TypePart Time
  • Education / Credentialsdegree in Social Sciences, Diploma in Human Services and/or related experience working with Indigenous Women and Children in Crisis.
  • ResumeRequired
  • Cover LetterRequired
  • Application Deadline09/12/2025

Job Description

Atlohsa Family Healing Services

Job Title: Women’s Support Worker

Location: London, Ontario

Closing Date: September 12, 2025

Employment Term: Casual/Relief (covering night shifts from 10:00pm to 7:00am)

Salary: $25 per hour

About Atlohsa

Atlohsa Family Healing Services is an Indigenous led non-profit organization in Southwestern Ontario dedicated to empowering Indigenous communities through traditional and land-based healing practices. Since 1986, we have provided low-barrier, wraparound services to individuals and families facing complex challenges such as mental wellness, substance use, homelessness, and domestic violence. Our holistic wellness approach is rooted in the Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings and the Medicine Wheel Teachings, utilizing a Two-Eyed Seeing approach that emphasizes collaboration, mutual respect, and the recognition that both Indigenous and Western knowledge systems contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the world.

About the Program

Zhaawanong Shelter, established in 1992, offers emergency shelter and support specifically for Indigenous women and their children facing violence, abuse, and homelessness. The term “zhaawanong” means “south” in the Ojibwe language. This direction signifies warmth, change, nurturance, growth and renewal. The shelter creates a safe, nurturing environment that feels like home, providing a sense of belonging and safety for its residents. Services include intervention and crisis counseling, traditional healing circles, safety planning, financial resources, housing assistance, emergency transportation, advocacy, and referrals, all aimed at helping women and children break the cycle of violence while promoting overall health and wellness to strengthen communities.

Role and Responsibility

Using a holistic Indigenous led approach to principles of trauma informed care and supporting women and children who are fleeing violence and abuse, the successful applicant will offer compassionate and empathetic care and support to women and their children who require safety. The Support Worker will be responsible for the 24-hour crisis line, assessment and intake, safety planning, wholistic care approaches to wellness and housing support. This may include providing lay counselling and proactively intervening when crisis or conflict arises, which may include aggressive or disruptive in the moment behavior. The Support Worker will liaise with other social service agencies, record accurate and detailed shift notes and must be able to provide clear, concise objective communication regarding community members being supported.

Why Work for Atlohsa?

  • We have a strong commitment to our cultural teachings and traditional knowledge practices, which encompass not just our programs but our daily interactions in the workplace, including:
  • Regular opportunities for staff to engage in ceremonies and cultural gatherings.
  • Access for staff to connect with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to foster active participation in cultural traditions.
  • We strive to inspire, empower, and instill a profound sense of pride and belonging within the community while promoting Mino Bimaadiziwin, The Good Way of Life.

Experience and Qualifications

Suitability

  • Formal post-secondary education training such as a degree in Social Sciences, Diploma in Human Services and/or related experience working with Indigenous Women and Children in Crisis.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the languages, traditional ways, history and cultures of the Indigenous population in the London region.
  • Understanding of Indigenous homelessness, with a demonstrated experience and knowledge of Indigenous traditional family values, childcare practices and healing practice.
  • Knowledge of legal issues, the court system regarding family violence, the impact of family violence on women and children.
  • Ability to contribute to a culturally safe space with an awareness of its impact on practice.
  • Skills in conflict resolution, mediation, and negotiation (to build trust and resolve disagreements).
  • Current Vulnerable Sector check required.
  • Female applicants of Indigenous ancestry preferred.
  • Employment Term Details
  • Guaranteed two (2) night shifts per week (10:00pm to 7:00am).
  • Coverage required for statutory holidays and pre-planned absences.
  • Reasonable availability to pick up last-minute shifts for unexpected absences.

Consideration of Lived Experiences

While applicants are under no obligation to do so, Atlohsa welcomes applicants to indicate their own lived experiences of homelessness, substance use, and/or Indigenous community teachings within their application. Professional experiences, academic experiences, traditional teachings, and personal lived experiences are all valuable forms of knowledge.

How to Apply

How to Apply

If interested to apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with Women’s Support Worker in your subject line.

Within the body of your email, please provide answers to the following questions:

  • Please briefly outline where your experience with or understanding of First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis communities comes from. You may note professional, academic, or your own personal lived/community experience
  • .Are you a First Nations, Inuk, or Métis applicant? If yes, please indicate which community you are from. If you are not connected to your community, just write what you know.

At Atlohsa, we value diversity in our workforce and encourage all qualified candidates to apply, however, due to the nature of our organization, preferences will be given to qualified Indigenous applicants. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources to make arrangements.

We thank all those who apply however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.