New Directions welcomes applications for Mentor Landlord year-round in Children Home Services within New Directions.
Mentor Landlord stream is dedicated to support young people aging out of care and transitioning out of Child and Family Services. It is a critical period in a young person’s life when they need their independence to be respected and be given opportunities to learn life skills and responsibilities in order to become a functional community member.
In the Landlord Mentor model, the landlord has a dual role:
- Regular Landlord (rent out space)
- Mentor
The idea is for the landlord to be a supportive role model, guiding the individual in various life skills (e.g., plan meals, manage budget, problem solve difficulties, connect with community members, etc.) but not intrusive or parental; to give enough time for the youth to settle and develop the skills to manage with supports and clear feedback rather than provide authoritative directions, enter conflict, or evict.
All Mentor Landlords must have:
- A willingness to welcome a youth or young adult who is learning to become independent.
- A bedroom for the person requiring support.
- An ability to establish and maintain clear and respectful boundaries and expectations that are explicitly communicated to the individual.
- A willingness to relate to the individual as an individual, to make a meaningful connection with them, and to maintain healthy boundaries and support to their development.
- Time to devote to the person requiring support in developing necessary life skills (cooking, budgeting, booking appointments, advocating for self, etc.) with an eventual goal of a transition into the community.
- An ability to assist the person requiring support in the development of skills to increase independence and/or reduce barriers to have stronger healthy connections, with training and guidance provided.
- A willingness to support the person in a culturally competent manner with respect for the person’s roots and community.
- A willingness to support and empower a person by respecting choice and decision making.
- A willingness to work collaboratively with the Program Support Team.
- A clear Criminal Record Check, Child & Adult Abuse Registry Checks (as applicable), and a Prior Contact Check (if applicable).
Ideal applicants will have:
- Minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Experience working with young people who have experienced trauma in their lives and have been involved with Child and Family Services.
- Strong communication skills and developed problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
- Positive interpersonal skills.
- A willingness to include the person requiring support within your family and social network.
We appreciate this opportunity to review these expectations with you. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at: childhomesupports@newdirections.mb.ca
