Transitional-Age Youth Housing Advocate

Job Title:           Transitional -Age Youth Housing Advocate

Job Location:    Providence  Housing Office

Reports to:        Director of Housing Stabilization 

Position:           Full-time (37.5 hours per week);$26 to $27an hour, depending on experience, with benefits that include health/dental insurance, paid holidays, accrued vacation/sick/personal time, an Employee Assistance Plan, and a 401(k) plan with employer match.

ABOUT US: Sojourner House is a comprehensive domestic violence and sexual assault agency that provides residential, educational, and community-based interventions to families and individuals impacted by abuse.  We have offices in Providence and Woonsocket, and programs that operate statewide.  Our goal is to help our clients rebuild their lives, through a variety of services. All of our programs work from the premise that violence is an unacceptable means to solving interpersonal conflict, and we encourage only non-violent methods of working out conflicts.

POSITION OVERVIEW:  Working with the Housing Team and the larger residential program, the TAY Advocate will provide direct services and programming to Transitional Age Youth (TAY) in Crisis Housing and Rapid Rehousing clients. Transitional Age Youth are typically between the ages of 18 to 24 and are navigating complex processes as they navigate from adolescence to adulthood, usually without parental support. They will also work alongside other staff of the Residential Housing Program to provide clients with support and empowerment as they seek to rebuild their lives.

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES:

• Develop, implement, and refine service plans and programming tailored for Sojourner House transitional-age youth (18–24).
• Coordinate referrals and partnerships with external providers (housing, education, employment, healthcare, etc.) and serve as the main liaison for those collaborations.
• Provide advanced case management for youth with complex needs, ensuring trauma-informed and culturally competent practices.in Sojourner House’s Youth Crisis Housing, Youth Shared Transitional Housing, and Youth Rapid-Rehousing programs.  This includes weekly 1:1 meetings, regular phone check-ins, and periodic visits to their apartment. 
• Develop action plans with clients that outline goals related to education, employment, child care, and maintaining housing.  Assist clients in obtaining appropriate substance abuse, mental health, and/or medical services as needed.
• Develop and implement programming to benefit clients in the housing programs, which can include units statewide.  At a minimum, the Coordinator will facilitate 1-2 support groups,  workshops, or life-skills training sessions per week that will benefit  Youth housing clients and other community members.  The Coordinator will regularly assess the needs of Sojourner House’s TAY housing clients and offer programs reflective of those needs.
• Develop resources (handbooks, guides, curricula) that support youth in achieving independence.
• Working with the Family and Child Clinician, and School Based Advocates, coordinate children’s services and make referrals as necessary for families with minor children, which may include but are not limited to:  enrollment in the local school system, art expressive therapy groups, tutoring sessions, play groups, field trips, after school, recreational and enrichment activities, child care and mental health programs.
• Answer phone calls, conduct intakes of new clients, and provide referrals and information to potential housing clients.
• Provide shelter coverage when needed at Sojourner House’s emergency shelter(s).
• Monitor and implement crisis, transitional housing and rapid re-housing policies and ensure that residents follow these rules and procedures by creating an environment of trust and community.
• Complete data entry and submit necessary reports as required for grant compliance.
• Address the maintenance needs of housing units as needed.  This may include communication with landlords and property management companies to provide repairs.
• Provide support to clients in Sojourner House’s Youth Housing Program, including occasional flexibility with work hours to accommodate clients’ schedules and needs.
• Stay abreast of RI community housing and TAY-related advocacy issues by building and maintaining relationships with housing and social service agencies in Providence, northern Rhode Island, and throughout the state.
• Prepare and deliver community presentations in Rhode Island on issues related to domestic violence, youth, and housing when requested.
• Support Sojourner House’s philosophy of client empowerment and respect for individual choices.
• Work as necessary with the Volunteer Manager to help supervise volunteers. Provide guidance, training, and consultation to entry-level staff, interns, or volunteers.
• Perform other duties as requested by the Sojourner House management team.

Salary : $26 - $27