Wage: $30/hour + 10% in lieu of benefits ($33/hr)
Hours: Thursdays, from 6:30 pm - 8:15 pm
Locations: Hillcrest Community Centre
Available Programs:
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Craft and Connect: Thursdays, September through to December 2025 (depending on availability) from 6:30 pm - 8:15 pm
- There will also be some hours towards program debrief and evaluation, following the program.
Position Description
CAN is seeking to hire an Autistic-identifying part-time Peer Facilitator to lead a 5-week craft and connect program for youth and adults aged 15+.
The focus of the program is to provide a space for autistic individuals to engage in creative craft activities and to build meaningful connections with peers. The peer facilitator will guide participants through various craft activities by explaining and demonstrating the activities every week, in addition, the peer facilitator will foster discussions with the help of various weekly discussion questions.
Example crafts include jewelry making, clay sculpting, and painting.
Discussion questions include: If you could be a master at anything, what would you do? What are your hobbies and interests? What is a good piece of advice you’ve been given? What popular culture media do you like? (video games, movies, TV shows, fandoms)
Key Functions
- Facilitate sessions during program delivery with support of CAN staff.
- Lead crafting activities and guide discussions of the group.
- Willing to share lived experiences and insights as an Autistic individual.
- Attend facilitator trainings and orientation as needed.
- Participant in team meetings.
- Provide regular communication and feedback to and collaborate with Youth and Adult Program Coordinator.
- Provide a Criminal Record Check (can be completed through CAN)
Job Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Understanding of the various challenges Autistic youth face in the community, including lived experience as an Autistic individual (formal diagnosis not required).
- Skill in the following crafting activities: painting, jewelry making (thread & beaded), clay sculpting, and others.
- Passion for building meaningful connections and guiding conversations.
- Access to a car to transport crafting materials each week.
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Available on the following Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:15 PM:
- October 23rd
- October 30th
- November 6th
- November 13th
- November 20th
- November 27th
Assets (helpful skills and knowledge to have)
- Previous participation in other CAN Youth and Adult Programming.
- Prior experience facilitating groups or training is preferred, particularly with autistic youth and adults.
- Confident and comfortable with leading groups and managing positive communication between group members. Ability to foster discussions and connections.
- Confident and comfortable with written communication (i.e., writing emails, providing feedback etc.)
- Knowledge of existing community and other resources for autistic youth.
- Strong team player: willing to collaborate and be flexible.
We encourage individuals with varying abilities and backgrounds to apply. Your perspective and ideas are valuable to us. If you're passionate about supporting autistic youth and adults, we want to hear from you! We thank all of those who apply but only those selected will be contacted for an interview.
Please note that all chosen candidates will need to successfully complete our online criminal record check to move forward in the hiring process. Additionally, successful candidates/new employees must complete all training and necessary paperwork prior to starting the program.