Community Development Worker
Summer 2026 CDW Placement · 5 positions · Funded in part by Canada Summer Jobs
- POSITIONS: 5 openings
- PLACEMENT: June 29, 2026 – August 21, 2026
- HOURS: 35/week (8 weeks)
- WAGE: $18.00/hour
- LOCATION: Scarborough · Hybrid (1–2 days in-office)
- REPORTS TO: Program Manager
- CLOSING DATE: Friday, June 12, 2026 · 23:59 ET
- START DATE: Monday, June 29, 2026
ABOUT URBAN ALLIANCE ON RACE RELATIONS
Since 1975, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) has worked to combat racism and build a more inclusive, equitable Greater Toronto Area. We do this through research, public education, community programming, and partnerships with grassroots and institutional partners across the region.
ABOUT THE ROLE
UARR is hiring 5 Community Development Workers (CDWs) for an 8-week summer placement (June 29 to August 21, 2026). CDWs will support work across UARR's four programs (research & policy, public education, youth engagement, and communications) while also leading or co-leading a capstone project chosen from 10 program tracks. The placement is hybrid: 1 to 2 days in-office per week and remote the rest of the week.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Community Development Workers contribute to UARR's day-to-day work with mentorship and support from staff at every step. The exact mix of work will reflect what's active in the organization this summer and your own interests within it. In a typical placement, you can expect to:
- Support outreach and engagement with community members, partner organizations, and youth groups across the GTA, including post-secondary campuses such as the University of Toronto Scarborough.
- Help plan and deliver UARR events, partner roundtables, and community campaigns alongside staff and community collaborators.
- Contribute to UARR's communications work, including social media, campaign content, and design work in Canva.
- Assist with basic research and policy work on issues affecting racialized communities and youth in the GTA, including environmental scans, literature reviews, and consultation notes.
- Support fundraising and grant applications that resource UARR's programs and youth leadership initiatives.
- Lend a hand across communications, training, community education, and event coordination as projects come up over the summer.
- Develop one capstone project of your own (individual or small-group), chosen from 10 program tracks: Strategic Research & Policy, Communications & Digital Strategy, Youth Engagement & Outreach, Education & Training, Program Evaluation, Fundraising, Events & Public Programming, Organizational Capacity, Arts & Storytelling, and Technology & Innovation. You will scope it with the Program Manager in your first week and present it at the Week 8 showcase.
- Assist with other duties as assigned in support of the team.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
- Paid full-time summer work experience within a 50-year-old anti-racism organization.
- Direct exposure to all four UARR programs and rotating mentorship from each staff lead.
- A portfolio-ready capstone deliverable and a written reference letter on completion.
- Membership in the UARR alumni network and access to future paid and volunteer opportunities.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We hire for potential and lived experience as much as for credentials. You do not need to meet every bullet below. Strong applicants will speak to most of them.
- Genuine interest in anti-racism, equity, and community development work in the GTA.
- Strong written and verbal communication; able to write clearly for different audiences.
- Self-managed: can plan a week, hit deadlines, and ask for help early when stuck.
- Comfortable working in hybrid mode (1–2 days in-office) and with digital tools (Microsoft 365, Zoom, Canva).
- Lived experience of, or demonstrated understanding of, racialized communities in Toronto is highly valued.
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a post-secondary program (any discipline), OR equivalent community-based experience.
ELIGIBILITY
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CANADA SUMMER JOBS ELIGIBILITY (REQUIRED) To be eligible, applicants must: (1) be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of employment; (2) be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment; (3) have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada per relevant provincial legislation. |
EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY & ACCOMMODATION
UARR is an equity-driven employer. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and disabled candidates, and from people whose lived experience reflects the communities we serve. If you require accommodation at any stage of the hiring process (application, interview, or otherwise), please let us know in your application or contact us at [email protected]. All requests are handled confidentially.
HOW TO APPLY
- Submit: A resume + a 1-page cover letter telling us why you want to work with UARR and which 2 capstone tracks interest you most.
- Send to: i[email protected] · Subject line: CDW Application: [Your Name]
- Deadline: Friday, June 12, 2026 at 23:59 ET. Late applications are not accepted.
- Process: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview.
Questions: Email [email protected]