ASPIRE Peer Support Worker
Muslim Food Bank & Community Services Society (MFBCS)
Position Overview
The ASPIRE Peer Support Line is a new, free, confidential, faith-informed phone and text support service for Muslim youth, operated by Muslim Food Bank & Community Services Society.
The program provides trained, non-judgmental peer support, crisis de-escalation, and warm referrals. The service is peer support, not therapy, and is available to youth from any faith background.
We are seeking a Peer Support Worker to respond to higher-need contacts, support volunteer peer responders, manage complex situations, and help the program grow safely and responsibly.
Position: ASPIRE Peer Support Worker
Program: ASPIRE Peer Support Line
Location: Canada
Position Type: Part-Time
Work Arrangement: Remote
Organization: Muslim Food Bank & Community Services Society (MFBCS)
About the Program
The ASPIRE Peer Support Line provides a safe and confidential space where youth receive peer-based emotional support, crisis de-escalation, and connections to appropriate community resources.
The program is faith-informed and designed with the needs of Muslim youth in mind while welcoming youth from all faith backgrounds.
Duties & Responsibilities
Peer Support & Crisis Response
- Answer calls, texts, and chats calmly, respectfully, and without judgment.
- Assess risks related to suicide, self-harm, violence, abuse, and safeguarding using the program's structured protocols.
- Escalate higher-risk situations when required.
- Handle complex and higher-need contacts.
- Act as the sole responder when no volunteer peer supporter is on shift.
- Support service users through crisis de-escalation while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Volunteer Support & Coaching
- Provide real-time guidance and support to volunteer peer supporters.
- Coach volunteers through challenging or complex contacts.
- Support volunteers with risk assessment and appropriate next steps.
- Approve emergency interventions when required under program protocols.
- Help maintain safe and consistent service standards across shifts.
Safety Planning & Referrals
- Build safety plans collaboratively with service users.
- Provide warm referrals to appropriate community, health, and social support resources.
- Support service users in understanding available options and next steps.
- Liaise with hospitals, police services, mobile crisis teams, and other emergency or community services when required.
Documentation & Shift Coordination
- Document calls, texts, chats, and interventions accurately.
- Complete incident reports when required.
- Maintain clear and confidential records in accordance with program procedures.
- Complete shift handovers and communicate relevant information to the incoming responder.
- Follow safeguarding, confidentiality, and risk-management procedures.
Qualifications
Experience
- Experience providing crisis support.
- Experience supporting individuals through emotionally difficult or higher-risk situations.
- Strong listening skills and sound judgment under pressure.
- Comfort supporting Muslim youth across a range of cultural backgrounds and levels of religious practice.
Screening & Training Requirements
- Willingness to provide two references.
- Willingness to complete a vulnerable-sector-grade criminal record check or equivalent screening.
- Willingness to complete the ASPIRE Peer Support training program before working independently.
- Willingness to complete required suicide-intervention training.
- Commitment to following MFBCS child and youth safeguarding policies.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong active listening and interpersonal communication skills.
- Calm and respectful communication during crisis situations.
- Sound judgment and decision-making under pressure.
- Ability to follow structured risk-assessment and escalation protocols.
- Strong confidentiality and professional-boundary practices.
- Ability to support and coach volunteer peer responders.
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity when supporting diverse Muslim youth.
- Strong documentation and incident-reporting skills.
- Ability to work independently in a remote environment.
- Commitment to non-judgmental, dignity-focused peer support.
Additional Assets
- Lived experience within Muslim, newcomer, or mental health recovery communities.
- Ability to communicate in additional languages such as Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Farsi, or Somali.
Why Join MFBCS?
Support Youth: Provide confidential peer support to young people during difficult and high-need moments.
Help Build a New Program: Play an important role in developing and strengthening the ASPIRE Peer Support Line as the service grows.
Support Volunteers: Help peer supporters build confidence and respond safely to youth seeking help.
Apply Now
If you have crisis-support experience and want to help Muslim youth access safe, respectful, and confidential peer support, apply to join MFBCS as an ASPIRE Peer Support Worker.
Employment Conditions:
All employment offers are conditional on satisfactory reference checks and a vulnerable-sector-grade criminal record check, consistent with MFBCS child and youth safeguarding policies.
MFBCS welcomes applicants from all backgrounds who share our commitment to serving Muslim youth with dignity and care.
Please complete the application form below to apply.