Job Title: KidStart Coordinator 

Company: John Howard Society of Victoria 

Location: In Person, Victoria, BC 

Job Type: Part-time, Permanent  

Work hours: 30 hour per week, between Mon-Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm 

Salary: $32.45 - $34.42 per hour 

Benefits: Employee Engagement Activities, Organization Events, Dental care, Disability insurance, Employee assistance program, Extended health care, Life insurance, Paid time off, RRSP match 

Who We Are:  

John Howard Society of Victoria is a fast paced growing, dynamic and innovative social service organization that strives to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all. Our goal is to help individuals achieve greater independence by providing support with housing, life-skills, education, employment, and community-based services.  

At John Howard Society of Victoria we come from various backgrounds and share a common goal of wanting to make things better in our community, for our community. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that adapts to your needs. 

Our Vision, Mission, Goals, and Values:  

• Our Vision: A safe, healthy, and inclusive community for all 

• Our Mission: We contribute to a safer, stronger and more sustainable communities by supporting people to achieve greater independence 

• Our Goals:  

  • Service Excellence: Improve the quality of life of the people we service through more relevant, accessible and sustainable services. 

  • Organizational Sustainability: Realize a resilient operational and governance model that supports JHSV to consistently serve the end-to-end client journey. 

  • Capacity: Increase our capacity to work effectively and efficiently as a team. 

• Our Values:  

  • Our Service Commitments (How we provide services to clients) – Dignity, Advocacy, Empowerment 

  • Team Values (How we work together) – Collaboration, Accountability, Resiliency 

What We Offer: 

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy paid vacation, sick and personal time, health and dental plans, long-term disability, critical illness and RRSP 

• Supportive Environment: Our Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities are designed to help you succeed both personally and professionally. We invest in our employees' growth through training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities. 

• Engaging Culture: Be part of a friendly team that values your input! With numerous employee engagements, you can make your voice heard and contribute to meaningful change for our clients and our community. 

• Employee Engagement: We often organize team and social gatherings to strengthen relationships and foster camaraderie to create a supportive network among colleagues. 

• Impactful Work: Employees at JHS Victoria are driven by a shared mission to make a positive difference in the community. Engaging in meaningful work enhances job satisfaction and connects team members to a greater purpose. 

About the Program:  

KidStart is a community-based mentoring program that supports children and youth aged 6–18 who are experiencing vulnerabilities that may place them at increased risk of involvement with the justice system. Through one-to-one mentorship with trained volunteers and structured group activities, KidStart provides young people with consistent, positive adult relationships that promote pro-social development, emotional regulation, confidence, and community connection. The program is preventative in nature, focusing on early intervention, healthy decision-making, and skill-building while working collaboratively with families, schools, and community partners to support long-term positive outcomes for youth. 

Position Summary:  

The Position reports to Manager, Community Programs 

The KidStart Program Coordinator is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the KidStart Mentoring Program. This includes recruiting, selecting, supporting, and supervising volunteers, as well as coordinating the intake, referral, and orientation of mentors and mentees. The Coordinator will also develop fundraising opportunities and recruit potential donors for the KidStart Program. This is an in-person role with no opportunity to work-from home.   

What You'll Be Doing: 

Program Coordination (50%)  

• Coordinate fundraising events, assist with writing and submitting grant applications, and support donor engagement efforts to ensure program sustainability.  

• Develop and promote opportunities to become a Volunteer Mentor through outreach campaigns, presentations, and community engagement strategies.  

• Conduct all aspects of the Volunteer Mentor screening and onboarding process, including personal interviews, reference checks, criminal record reviews, and orientation, ensuring all documentation is accurate and complete. (Expected 50 matches annually)  

• Research, plan, organize, and facilitate quarterly events for youth participants and their volunteer mentors to build connection and foster community engagement.  

• Develop and deliver initial orientation, quarterly workshop opportunities and ongoing training for Volunteer Mentors including developing resource materials, arranging guest speakers, and designing workshops.  

• Conduct a comprehensive intake and needs assessment with each youth, develop an individualized service plan, and match them with a trained volunteer mentor based on strengths, preferences, and support needs.  

• Prepare both youth participants and volunteers for their first meetings.  

• Supervise all matches and Volunteer Mentors to ensure that they are maintaining regular contact, developing a safe and positive relationship, and meeting program expectations. Provide regular check-ins, coaching, and troubleshooting support to address challenges or early termination risks.  

• Coordinate recognition and appreciation events for volunteers to celebrate their contributions and reinforce volunteer retention.  

• Offer emotional and practical support to youth participants as needed, including safety planning, goal-setting, and connecting families with additional resources. Escalate high-risk situations to appropriate internal or external supports when necessary.  

Community Engagement (30%)  

• Develop ongoing relationships with organizations that support volunteers and mentors for recruitment and coordinated initiatives.  

• Promote the KidStart program and generate referrals through liaison with community members, including police, probation officers, and schools.  

• Actively advocate for the KidStart program by representing it at community tables, coalition meetings, and public forums to raise awareness of its impact and relevance.  

• Seek out new partnership opportunities and collaborate with local organizations to co-develop initiatives, events, or training that benefit youth and mentors.  

• Support program sustainability by identifying and pursuing funding opportunities through community foundations, grants, and partnerships. Assist in preparing proposals, collecting data, and providing impact stories that demonstrate program outcomes.  

Documentation and Reporting (10%)  

• Contribute to KidStart promotional materials, social media, and outreach content and establish a quarterly KidStart newsletter suitable for mentors and community members  

• Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other program documentation (including case notes, statistics, letters, available file information and reports.   

• Complete a monthly report on trends, statistics, program activities, and highlights.   

• Establish a quarterly KidStart newsletter for mentors and community members.  

• Ensure that all records, reports, files, and documentation are accurate and compliant with organizational policies.  

Additional Responsibilities (10%)  

• Identify and respond to any concerns related to youth safety, mentor conduct, or match dynamics in accordance with JHS policies.  

• Track and report volunteer hours, match outcomes, and youth engagement metrics to evaluate program effectiveness.  

• Participate in agency meetings and contribute to organizational initiatives for program enhancement.  

• Assist with program evaluation through surveys, interviews, or outcome reporting.  

• Create engagement opportunities for youth by researching and coordinating accessible, age-appropriate activities that promote personal growth and community connection.  

Perform other duties and projects as required and not limited to the responsibilities as mentioned.  

*The assigned percentage of job responsibilities may vary based on organizational and operational priorities.  

What We’re Looking For:  

Qualifications:  

Skills and Competencies:  

Who You Are:  

• Patience: Ability to remain calm and understanding when working with individuals facing challenges. 

• Creativity: Innovative in finding solutions and approaches to meet the unique needs of clients. 

• Flexibility: Adaptable to changing situations and client needs in various environments. 

• Compassion: Demonstrates empathy and concern for the well-being of clients. 

• Advocacy: Strong commitment to educating and advocating for clients regarding benefits and entitlements. 

• Sensitivity: Awareness and sensitivity to the experiences and needs of socially marginalized or disadvantaged populations. 

Creating Safe, Healthy and Inclusive Communities at JHS Victoria: 

At John Howard Society of Victoria, we proudly embrace the rich diversity of the communities we serve, and we’re excited to invite applicants from all backgrounds to join our team!  We understand that everyone’s journey is different, and we are committed to providing the support needed to ensure equal opportunities for success throughout the hiring process. John Howard Society of Victoria will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email hr@jhsvic.ca if you have a need for any accommodation. We’re here to help! 

Ready to Make a Positive Impact? 

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in people’s lives and meet the qualifications for this role, we’d love to hear from you!  

Please submit your application through our portal. Submission deadline is December 10, 2025 and we’ll be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. So don’t wait—apply today and take the next step in your journey with us!  

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in people’s lives and meet the qualifications for this role, we’d love to hear from you!