We are seeking individuals who are passionate about promoting health and wellness equity in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) to assist the work of Kilala Lelum Health and Wellness Cooperative in the roles of Peer Wellness Ambassadors. Peer Wellness Ambassadors support members across the organization and intersect all programming offered at Kilala Lelum. We aim to provide access to decolonized primary care, Allied Health services, and Elder-led cultural care to new and existing members through culturally-safe, strengths-based, trauma-informed, member-centered, and harm reduction based approaches. Doris Fox Lelum is a new program that provides health promotion services and substance use care for Indigenous people who have experienced systemic barriers to accessing resources and healthcare in the DTES. Doris Fox Lelum is a member-centred program supported by an interdisciplinary team that includes Social Navigators, a Housing Worker, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Nurses, Outreach Workers, and peers in the Supportive Employment Program.
These positions are temporary (12 months) part-time (0.4 FTE) roles that may be extended pending future funding.
Job Summary
The Peer Wellness Ambassadors will be based at Doris Fox Lelum and will serve as a critical link between members, staff, programs, and services throughout Kilala Lelum. They will be responsible for providing support and guidance to members, leading with their own lived experience and expertise. Peer Wellness Ambassadors use their knowledge and understanding of the challenges faced when accessing services to support individuals in navigating similar situations and to access appropriate resources.
Peer Wellness Ambassadors provide connection and guidance to members who are experiencing homelessness, substance use, mental health, domestic violence, etc. Peer Wellness Ambassadors are responsible for working with members who are accessing services, by creating a warm and welcoming environment, as well as supporting individuals by bridging the gap between the member and service providers. Successful candidates are committed to contributing to the health and wellness of Kilala Lelum and the DTES community, as well as their own personal growth and knowledge-building through participation in education and training opportunities at Doris Fox Lelum.
Compensation
● $25.00 per hour
Roles and Responsibilities
● Provide compassionate support to individuals navigating Kilala Lelum;
● Welcome members accessing Doris Fox Lelum;
● Liaise between service providers and members as needed;
● Provide Harm Reduction Services to members;
● Develop relationships with members to ensure they receive the care they need;
● Help individuals make informed decisions about their support options;
● Provide emotional support and encouragement to members one on one, seeking
assistance;
● Support data collection by tracking individual interactions and services provided for
program monitoring and evaluation;
● Attend meetings and training sessions as required;
● Support drop-in services and programming at Doris Fox Lelum;
● Ensure Doris Fox Lelum is a safe, clean, accessible space for members, including
stocking supplies, serving coffee/tea, and snacks;
● Attend and/or support the facilitation of capacity and skill-building opportunities
offered at Doris Fox Lelum;
● Provide peer-based guidance and mentorship to members participating in the
Supportive Employment program;
● Accompany members to various appointments and services within Kilala Lelum;
● Medicine garden work, watering, weeding, supporting other workers; and,
● Assist the Supportive Employment Program and other Kilala Lelum Programs.
Qualifications and Skills
● One year of recent related work and lived experience of mental health and/or
substance use challenges
● Strong knowledge and understanding of DTES community services
● Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to cultural safety. Experience and
knowledge of Indigenous peoples and cultures would be extremely beneficial.
Completion of a cultural competency course or willingness to participate required.
● Demonstrated understanding of, or willingness to learn, and uphold strength-based,
trauma-informed, member-centered approaches, grounded in the principles of
Indigenous harm reduction.
● Preference will be given to candidates with Indigenous heritage
● Preference will be given to candidates with lived and/or living experience of mental
health and substance use challenges
● Desire to work with people who experience systemic barriers to seeking support
services at Kilala Lelum
● Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of the peer
employment team
● Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully verbally and in writing
● Experience with overdose response and/or willingness to be trained in overdose
response
Supervision Provided
Support for the Peer Wellness Ambassadors will be provided by Kilala Lelum’s
interdisciplinary team, with supervision provided by the Doris Fox Lelum Steward.
Working Conditions
● Physical ability to perform the duties of the position, including remaining on your
feet for periods of time throughout the day.
● Comfortable communicating with and collaborating across an interdisciplinary team
that includes Cultural Workers, Nurses, Physicians, Outreach Workers, Community
Health Workers, and Elders, and Knowledge Keepers.
● Duties for the position will be performed at Doris Fox Lelum at 121 Heatley Ave
Additional Information
● Anticipated start date October 2026.
● Successful candidates will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check.
● Hours of work are 9:30am – 4:30pm.
● Days of work scheduled based on program needs.
To Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to nour kachouh, HR and Admin Lead,
[email protected]. Your cover letter should outline your interest in the role, how your
background and experience meet the requirements and make you a good fit for the role.
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Applications will be assessed and
interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Equity Statement
Kilala Lelum is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we encourage applications
from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under
the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age,
and/or membership or self-identification as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous
person.
