The Community Worker (C101) program will teach you the knowledge and skills you need to work with diverse and historically marginalized individuals and communities on a range of concerns. If you are passionate about human rights and social justice, the two-year diploma program is for you.

Whether you are a mature student, a high school graduate or a newcomer or looking for a career change, our diverse and committed student body is a core strength of our program.

This program is proud to be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. If you are an alumnus of the program from 50 years ago, please contact the program coordinator.

This is an approved education program by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Upon graduation of this program, you may apply to receive the additional designation of RSSW (Registered Social Service Worker). Extra fees may apply.

Community Worker Program Features:

• The School of Social and Community Services has partnerships with more than 350 agencies across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and beyond.
• Graduates of Anishnawbe Health Toronto’s (AHT) Community Health Worker Training program can gain direct entry into the second year of the Community Worker program.
• The Tommy Douglas Institute, founded by the Community Worker program faculty, is a progressive space of dialogue for educational communities and wider communities to explore, discuss and advance ideas of critical pedagogy and educating for change in the 21st century. It is also home to the Courage My Friends podcast. Episodes are hosted on rabble.ca and explore community, education, and social justice issues in the 21st century.

The Role of a Community Worker

Emerging from a proud history of community-based organizing, advocacy and activism, community workers work with individuals and communities at all levels (local, national, natural and global) toward positive social change.

Community workers are committed to the full and equal inclusion of all peoples within societies that value equality, diversity and human dignity. The pursuit of social justice is about rights and not charity; working in solidarity with communities, not for them.

Key Skills Taught in the Community Worker Program

Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to develop a variety of important and high-demand skills, including:

• anti-oppressive and intercultural practices in working with diverse populations
• critical analysis, research, and writing
• group facilitation, counselling and leadership development
• community organizing, activism and advocacy
• community development, project design and funding
• policy analysis and rights-based advocacy

Community Worker Program Structure

The program combines classroom instruction and supervised field placements. In preparation for field placement, you will be required to work in multiple small and large groups within classes and community settings.

Theory, analysis, and practice are presented through a variety of innovative instructional tools developed from popular education and learner-centred approaches to teaching and learning.

Highly engaged classes of dialogue, debate, interactive lectures, guest panels, and group activities will provide you with a current, exciting, and critically engaging program of study.

Program Courses Are Organized into Four Core Areas:

• community work theory and practice
• social and political analysis
• group skills and counselling
• field placement and seminar

Community Worker Faculty

Faculty are experienced educators who bring their passion for education and change to create a highly engaging and dynamic learning environment. The faculty have local, national, and global activism backgrounds, and they remain active on social issues and maintain close ties to communities, activists, and organizations.

Accelerated program

Graduates of a diploma or degree program may be eligible for the Community Worker (Accelerated) (C131) program.