We are seeking 2 to 4 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 role of Peer Wellness Ambassadors who will support our members across the organization and will intersect all programming offered at Kilala Lelum. Kilala Lelum (KL) aims to provide access to decolonized primary care, Allied Health services, and Elder-led cultural care to new and existing members through an outreach-based, culturally-safe, strength-based, trauma-informed, member-centered, and harm reduction approach.
Doris Fox Lelum is a new program that will provide health promotion services and substance use care for Indigenous people who have experienced systemic barriers to accessing resources and healthcare in the DTES, including access to housing, income assistance, and low barrier primary care. Doris Fox Lelum will be a member-centred program supported by an interdisciplinary team that includes Social Navigators, Housing Workers, Elders, Knowledge Holders, and peer staff working in the Supportive Employment Program. Doris Fox Lelum is also the primary site for Kilala Lelum’s new supportive employment program, which will provide economic inclusion opportunities for approximately 20 members.
These positions are one year contracts. These positions are temporary part-time 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. 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.
Responsibilities:
- Provide compassionate support to individuals navigating Kilala Lelum
- Welcome members accessing Doris Fox Lelum
- Liaising 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
- Advocate for individuals right and needs
- Provide emotional support and encouragement to members seeking assistance
- Support data collection by tracking individual interactions and services provided for program monitoring and evaluation
- Attend meetings and training sessions
- Support drop-in services and programming at Doris Fox Lelum
- Help 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
Requirements:
- Ability to listen and provide non-judgmental support to members
- Ability to connect members with resources in the community
- Ability to advocate for members
- Ability to build relationships
- Ability to provide harm reduction and services education
- Ability to provide support for self-management
- Ability to lift 10 lbs
- Comfortable standing and walking up to 5,000 steps per shift
- Comfortable working in an environment offering a range of substance use health services, including harm reduction, treatment and recovery
Supervision Provided:
Support for the Peer Wellness Ambassadors will be provided by Kilala Lelum’s interdisciplinary team, with supervision provided by the Supportive Employment and Community Engagement Manager.
Qualifications & 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
Working Conditions:
Work will be performed onsite at Kilala Lelum sites. Working schedule is 3 to 4 days/week, 4-8 hour shifts. Days of work include 1 weekend day per week, up to 24 hours/0.6FTE per week).
Additional Information:
- Anticipated start date August 2025
- Successful candidates will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check
- Starting hourly salary of $25.00/hour
- Robust extended health and dental benefits available (0.5 FTE or higher)
To Apply:
Please send your resume and cover letter to Alberto, the Supportive Employment Manager at [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 will be assessed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
KL Model of Service:
