Title: Program Coordinator, Growing Together
Term: Contract, Part-time, September 4, 2025 – June 27, 2026
Hours of Work: Approximately 15–20 hours per week, Thursday–Saturday. Scheduling and hours may vary based on mutual availability and program needs.
Salary: $21.00/hour
Locations: Surrey, BC (Atira housing locations – Koomseh and Maxxine Wright)
United for Literacy – Vancouver Office (1001 Cotton Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3T4)
Application Deadline: Ongoing until the position is filled
Why Literacy? Work with purpose at United for Literacy.
Canada’s literacy divide widens daily because so many people lack adequate literacy support. Bridging the literacy gap is something we can do. Solving systemic literacy challenges is key to advancing social equity and prosperity across our country. Literacy changes everything.
United for Literacy (formerly Frontier College) is a national literacy charity that was founded in 1899. We believe literacy is a right, and that every place can be a learning place. Our vision is a Canada in which everyone has the literacy skills they need to achieve their goals at school, at work, and in life. Our mission is to provide local literacy support programs that change lives.
With gratitude, our BC office is located on the unceded traditional territories of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) & sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Coast Salish Peoples.
The Opportunity
United for Literacy is seeking a dynamic, creative, and trauma-informed Program Coordinator to lead the Growing Together program in partnership with Atira Women’s Resource Society. The Coordinator will design and facilitate weekly literacy- and play-based sessions for children living in supportive housing, with additional structured sessions focused on academic help. Programming takes place at two Atira housing sites in Surrey, BC.
The Growing Together Coordinator reports to the BC Community Coordinator at United for Literacy. The successful candidate will work independently on site, collaborate closely with Atira staff, and receive ongoing training and support from United for Literacy. Due to the female-only nature of the housing, only self-identifying female applicants are recruited for this program.
Your Main Responsibilities and Major Duties
1. Program Delivery & Development
- Plan and deliver engaging, inclusive, and trauma-informed educational activity sessions for children aged 3–12
- Design activities that foster literacy, social-emotional learning, and creativity
- Facilitate both structured academic support sessions and open, play-based weekend programming
- Adjust activities for group size, space, and developmental stages
2. People or Volunteer Management
- Support the recruitment, training, and supervision of volunteers
- Foster a safe, respectful, and welcoming learning environment
- Model inclusive facilitation practices and tutor-learner partnerships
3. Community & Partner Engagement
- Maintain regular communication with Atira site staff and UFL supervisor
- Debrief regularly with partners and adapt programming based on feedback
- Align with emergency and safety procedures at each site
- Represent United for Literacy with professionalism and care
4. Reporting, Evaluation & Administration
- Monitor attendance and session details; submit weekly updates to UFL
- Identify and communicate behavioral, emotional, or safety concerns promptly
- Maintain incident logs as needed and participate in program evaluation
- Uphold confidentiality and child protection protocols
Skills, Attributes and Requirements
- Experience working with children or youth in a community or educational setting
- Commitment to trauma-informed, harm-reduction and inclusive practices
- Strong organizational and planning skills
- Culturally sensitive, patient, and adaptable approach
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Available to work on-site Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons
- Proficient in written and spoken English
- Self-identifying woman (due to site policy at Atira locations)
Additional Assets (Preferred)
- Background in education, early childhood development, social work, or related field
- Familiarity with issues impacting women and children in supportive housing
- Experience using games, movement, crafts, and storytelling in learning
- Knowledge of food systems, nature-based learning, or gardening
- Fluency in languages other than English
- First Aid certification or willingness to obtain
Working with United for Literacy
In addition to your salary, you will benefit from:
Paid time off:
-15 vacation days per calendar year, pro-rated
-Plus: paid time off during our seasonal closure between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
-Plus: half-days off before some long weekends (start your long weekend early!)
-Plus: generous and compassionate wellness time allowance, and a “floating day” for personal/cultural events
- Flexible work hours, remote work options (in consultation with your supervisor)
- Comprehensive health, vision, and dental benefits package after probationary period
- Employer-matched contribution to defined contribution pension plan. Eligible to enroll after one year of employment.
- A work environment that seeks to be open, inclusive, and fun
- Staff-led groups and committees include, among others: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI); Green Team; Internal Skills Development; and more.
- Connect with your colleagues from coast to coast to coast for team-wide trainings and learning.
Ready to join our team? Please e-mail cover letter and resume to:
jcooney@unitedforliteracy.ca
Julia Cooney, BC Regional Coordinator
Subject Line: “Summer Reading Tent Coordinator Position – [Name]”
For more information about United for Literacy visit www.unitedforliteracy.ca
We encourage applications that reflect the diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds we serve at United for Literacy. In keeping with our ongoing efforts to promote equity and reflect the diversity of our organization, we encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. Furthermore, we welcome applications from individuals who self-identify on the basis of any of the protected grounds under the Human Rights Code. We are committed to integration and maintaining the independence of individuals and removing barriers to accessibility in the workplace. We are committed to full compliance with the Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and all other applicable legislation. We invite applicants to request accommodation, as required, throughout the application and hiring process.
We thank all applicants; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 42 weeks
Pay: $21.00 per hour
Expected hours: 10 – 20 per week
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 2025-08-04
Expected start date: 2025-09-04