About Canada Summer Jobs

The Canada Summer Jobs program, funded in part by the Federal Government of Canada, partners with local businesses and organizations such as Shekinah Homes Society to provide job opportunities for young students and workers. This program enables new workers to gain valuable experience in their chosen field through a summer placement.

Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and refugees between the ages of 15 and 30 are eligible to participate. To learn more, please visit this website.

During their time at Shekinah Homes Society, our summer job workers gain firsthand experience with the various tasks and responsibilities involved in running a non-profit group home community. Whether the position is in the group home as a personal support worker, or in the office as an administrative assistant, we provide hands-on experience for all Canada Summer Jobs participants. More importantly, these workers have the opportunity to become part of our welcoming community and form meaningful connections with our Core Members.

Furthermore, as many past summer workers have found, we are often open to hiring for casual, part-time, or full-time positions after the work terms end.

Please note that not all positions offered will be available each year. Shekinah Homes Society bases the CSJ positions on current organizational and operational goals, meaning that positions may differ from year to year. 

Positions Offered

  • Personal Support Worker

  • Community Recreation Planner

  • Administrative Assistant

  • Fundraising Organizer

Summer 2026

Coming soon…

Summer 2025

“From day one, I knew that my time here would be fulfilling…”

My time with Shekinah has been a wonderful and rewarding experience. From day one, I knew that my time here would be fulfilling, and by the end of my summer placement that held to be true. So much so that I have stayed on as a casual a year later as I complete my undergraduate degree.

One of the most rewarding parts of my role as a group home worker has been establishing meaningful relationships with each core member at the Ark. Building these relationships and working alongside Core Members has taught me that fostering trusting relationships can take time but is developed through consistency, patience, and taking the time to connect with each Core Member genuinely.

– Aislinn H. , Personal Support Worker

“This was such a meaningful experience that really showed me what person-centered care looks like in practice”

Having the opportunity to work alongside the amazing and caring people at Happy Rock made my entire summer. This was such a meaningful experience that really showed me what person-centered care looks like in practice. I made great connections with both the core members and my coworkers, who showed me how fulfilling, supportive, and fun it is to work in community care and support services. This experience helped me grow both personally and professionally, and it strengthened my passion for helping others.

– Grace S. , Personal Support Worker

“The connections I have made with Core Members and staff bring me incredible joy”

Working at Shekinah as a Canada Summer Jobs student immersed me in a world of incredible learning and growth. As I established meaningful relationships and became a member of the Bethesda family, I truly learned what person-centered care implied. I found myself acquiring new knowledge and insights from the Core Members and staff alike. As the summer went by, I knew I wanted to stay connected with the Bethesda family, so I’ve continued working as a casual worker while I finish my Kinesiology degree.

The connections I have made with Core Members and staff bring me incredible joy. It is highly fulfilling to be a member of their daily lives, and to contribute to their routine, health, and wellbeing.

– Brontë T. , Personal Support Worker

Summer 2024

“I have learned how to connect on a more meaningful level with people of various backgrounds and abilities”

I have absolutely fallen in love with this job! I have made meaningful connections with each and every Core Member in my main house (Bethesda) and pride myself on maintaining these relationships and allowing them to grow.

Shekinah has been a great learning curve for me, as I was a little hesitant on the idea of helping others with the more private tasks of daily life when I was first hired; It was something I had never done before. However, with the excellent guidance and reassuring nature of the staff, I now find myself completely confident in my ability to assist the Core Members with such tasks. I have learned so much more than using an overhead lift or adjusting braces for knees or ankles; I have learned how to connect on a more meaningful level with people of various backgrounds and abilities that make up our community.

Walking through that door every workday made (and still makes) my life so much fuller. I am beyond grateful for not only the Summer Student opportunity, but the ability to extend my stay and become a more consistent member of this strong Shekinah team.

– Fallon O. , Personal Support Worker

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to learn, ameliorate my skills, and contribute to a community that does so much good”

Thanks to Canada Summer Jobs, I was given the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the non-profit field – something that I have always been interested in.

Having previously worked in hospitality management, working at Shekinah Homes Society was a welcome change of pace. I started each day with a warm greeting from the Core Members and staff at Bethesda, and I was invited to start my day mindfully and purposefully. Even though my role was that of administrative assistant, I was encouraged to get to know and spend time with the Core Members which allowed me to better understand the organization’s vision, mission, and goals.

I worked closely with Bethesda’s Home Coordinator to organize the house and create efficient systems that allowed us to streamline administrative processes in the home. At the same time, my creativity was encouraged with projects like painting rocks with Core Members and creating signs and posters for within the home.

Working at Shekinah Homes Society allowed me to gain meaningful experience in the non-profit field, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to learn, ameliorate my skills, and contribute to a community that does so much good.

– Jack S. , Administrative Assistant

Summer 2023

Connecting with Core Members has brought so much meaning to my work”

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Shekinah Homes this summer, so much so that I am excited to be staying with Shekinah as relief staff in the fall. This job has been an incredible learning opportunity in a work field that is so important to people in our communities, yet not appreciated enough. Connecting with Core Members has brought so much meaning to my work, and I can genuinely say I have enjoyed a very fulfilling, fun and active summer, while also working. The team here is extremely supportive and has created an incredible work environment, where questions are welcomed and everyone is eager to welcome you into their homes here at Shekinah.

– Aleida U. , Administrative Assistant

I will never forget the experiences I had or the people I connected with.

Working at Shekinah has been both a brilliant experience but also an opportunity that is like no other. Throughout my time here, I was able to create meaningful bonds with the Core Members that will last a lifetime. Getting to work so closely with the Core Members has also shown me that Shekinah is more than just a place for people to stay, it’s an actual family that genuinely enjoys what they do. I have truly enjoyed getting to work at Shekinah and I will never forget the experiences I had or the people I connected with.

– Owen T. , Personal Support Worker

“An experience I don’t think I could have got anywhere else.

I have loved getting to know the Core Members as well as the staff. It was truly an experience I don’t think I could have got anywhere else. I’ve learned so much in this position. It was a summer to remember! I’m so happy to be joining Shekinah in a relief position from here forward. Thanks to both the Core Members and the staff for the great times!

– Danika P. , Personal Support Worker

Summer 2022

“An experience like no other”

Working at Shekinah has been an experience like nothing else I have ever done. Although I was not here for very long, I felt a strong sense of connection and family from everyone. Getting to know the Core Members and staff showed me that Shekinah is a community as well as a workplace and a home. Even with all of the challenges that they’re facing, Shekinah always manages to keep the health and happiness of the core members at the centre of everything that they do. I’m going to miss working in this fantastic environment and I will never forget the experiences I gained and the people I met.

– Elliot P. , Administrative Assistant

man in RCAF hat
Tyla and Bean at the beach

“Shekinah changed the way I see the world”

When I got the recreation position with Shekinah I was a bit nervous, I had no experience working with adults with disabilities. Quickly I learned these amazing people had so many abilities, so much spirit and unique personalities. I learned more than I ever could have imagined. I especially felt proud when I got to know each Core Member and found what made them smile, laugh and what interested each of them. I grew in ways I didn’t know possible. It changed how I see the world. The Core Members I worked with taught me new ways of communicating. I learned flexibility and compassion. Overall, as a university summer student, this was by far my most meaningful experience and I truly feel I gained more than I gave. Working at Shekinah was the most rewarding job. Just being able to be there for the Core Members, watching them try new things and loving it, made me feel accomplished. The staff and the Core Members left such an impact on me; I can only hope I was able to impart even a fraction of that in return. The summer flew by, and I am sad to say goodbye to each and every Core Member and staff member I worked with. Thank you Shekinah.
– Tyla L. , Recreation Planner

Bean on the bed

“A rewarding job”

Working at Shekinah this summer has been such a fun experience. I loved how part of my job was to just spend time with Core Members – eating meals with them, playing games, going on walks and just being present. This has been such a rewarding job, getting work experience at something I am passionate about while also becoming very invested in Shekinah’s mission, staff and Core Members’ lives. Shekinah is such a special community to be a part of, and I am sad to see my time here coming to an end.
-Meghan D. , Media Coordinator

holding hands