The Culturally Relevant Urban Wellness (CRUW) Program was developed in 2011 by a community partnership interested in promoting the use of green space as a source of wellness and concrete skill development for vulnerable youth. The program focuses on Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth involved in the child welfare system. The program is grounded in the Indigenous perspective that we derive wellness and community from relationship and interaction with land and territory.

Contract length: March 2026 to November 2026 withpossibility of extension

Rate of Pay: $25.00 per hour

Hours: 280 hours over the duration ofthe program

Sessiondates:March 7 28; April 11 25; May 9 23; June 6 20;July 4 18; August 1 15 29; September 12 26; October 10 24 and CRUW GradTBD

CRUW is based at Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family ServicesSociety (VACFSS) an urban delegated child welfare agency and operates inpartnership with the Indigenous Research Partnerships the Faculty of Land andFood Systems and the xʷcicəsəm Garden at the University of British Columbia located on traditional xʷməθkʷəyəm Musqueam territory. CRUW encompassesthree distinct programming streams including 1) the core UBC Farm program; 2)the Life Skills and Leadership program; and 3) the Youth Mentor the CRUW program focuses on the objectives of: honouring ourdiversity holistic and sustainable urban wellness emotional and culturalcompetence and youth leadership.

The UBC Farm program brings Indigenous youth in care with VACFSStogether with other diverse youth involved with the Ministry of Children andFamily Development (MCFD) to engage in urban green space. Youth participantsspend every second Saturday from April to October at the UBC Farm andxʷcicəsəm Garden learning from Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepersprogram staff and other professionals. Youth engage in a variety of activitiesand workshops in both the garden around the farm and indoor are split into three groups each led and supervised by a GroupLeader and Youth Worker.

Checkout the CRUW webpage for moreinformation and context on the program!

Description:theCRUW Assistant supervised by the Child and Youth Engagement Lead and supportedby the CRUW Program Coordinator and Child and Youth Engagement Lead is taskedwith entails a wide variety of duties and tasks in facilitating the Program Assistant will participate in choosing Youth Mentors assist theCRUW Coordinator with planning and coordination of the farm program sessionsparticipate in annual events and cultural engagement as well as miscellaneousadministration and program-related tasks.

TheCRUW Program Assistant is expected to attend every session date and isresponsible for assisting the Program Coordinator in ensuring the Farm sessionsrun smoothly.

• Participate in choosing youth mentors for CRUW UBC Farm Program andcontinued youth mentor skill development and check ins: including interviewingand deciding on youth mentors for the 2026 CRUW season engaging in bi-weeklycheck ins with youth mentors throughout the season and providing continuedmonthly mentorship skills development training.
• Assisting CRUW Coordinator with planning coordinating and attendingfarm program sessions: including attending each Farm program session assistingthe CRUW Coordinator and other CRUW staff where needed throughout the day andfilling in for the CRUW Coordinator if needed.
• Participate in annual events and cultural engagement: including assistingin planning and coordinating sage picking National Indigenous Day and CRUWGraduation
• Administration and miscellaneous tasks: including the completion ofcheque requisitions budget-minding and other office-related tasks.
• Participate in other program-related planning and organizing.

• Strong organization time-management and flexibility
• Strong capacities and direct experience working with youth - bothin group and one-to-one settings
• Knowledge of land and food systems Indigenous rights anddecolonization efforts
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience working with Indigenous BIPOC and/or youth incare
• Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills
• Experience facilitating workshops and goal setting with youth
• Experience facilitating/supporting outdoor and experientialprogramming for groups of youth

• Preference willbe given to candidates with a diploma or certificate in Social Work Child andYouth Care or similar fields will also be considered
• Candidates withlived experience will also be considered
• Candidates withrelated experience working with youth will also be considered
• Preference will be given to Indigenous or other BIPOC candidates
• Valid Class 5 drivers license with preference of a Valid Class 4unrestricted licenses
• Valid First Aid certificate (or a commitment to obtain prior tostart date)
• Candidates are required to submit a driving abstract criminalrecord check (to be provided by VACFSS)
• Candidates must be able to work Fridays and Saturdays
• Candidates may be required to work on-site at VACFSS locations and the UBC Farm

A formal employment application isnot required for contractors please do not complete the application form. Interestedcontractors may express their interest in this opportunity by emailing with anexpression of interest letter and resume. Indigenous and BIPOC contractors whowish to self-identify may do so in their letter.

Thank you to everyone for yourinterest in this contract opportunity. Only those selected for an interviewwill be contacted.

VACFSSacknowledges with deep respect and gratitude that our work takes place on thetraditional ancestral and unceded territory of thehənqəminəm-speakingMusqueam Peoples the Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səlilwətaʔɬ/Selílwitulh(Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We recognize the past present and futuregenerations of the Coast Salish Peoples who help us steward this land as wellas honour and celebrate this place.

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