What are the responsibilities and job description for the Street Medicine Outreach Worker position at The Night Ministry?
Join The Night Ministry as a Street Medicine Outreach Worker
Help in creating compassionate connections and expanding access to housing, health care, and human dignity for individuals facing housing instability and poverty.
About The Night Ministry
The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides human connection, housing, and health care to individuals struggling with housing stability or poverty. Our work is centered around two core service areas: Outreach & Healthcare and Youth Housing. Through our Outreach & Health programs, we meet people where they are, on CTA platforms, in encampments, at libraries, and across city neighborhoods; offering consistent, compassionate care and vital health services.
Our Youth Housing programs provide shelter and supportive services to young adults, helping them build stability and work toward their goals in safe, affirming environments. With a history rooted in dignity, inclusion, and trust, The Night Ministry is committed to walking alongside those we serve with empathy and respect.
If you're passionate about creating meaningful change through relationship-building and practical support, we'd love to meet you.
What You'll Do
As a Street Medicine Outreach Worker, you'll be part of a mobile outreach team that connects directly with individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. You'll help build trusting relationships, connect people to care and services, and represent The Night Ministry's commitment to inclusive, trauma-informed engagement.
Your work will include:
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Engaging individuals on the street with compassion, non-judgment, and harm reduction approaches.
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Providing referrals to social services including housing, health care, and identification support.
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Collaborating with the team to coordinate daily outreach plans and encampment visits.
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Driving and maintaining the Outreach Van.
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Preparing and distributing harm reduction supplies, hygiene kits, and food.
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Tracking client engagement through accurate, timely data entry in systems like EHR and ETO.
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Organizing and distributing client mail and helping respond to inquiries through the program phone line.
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Supporting volunteers and representing The Night Ministry at outreach and community events as needed.
What We're Looking For
We're seeking someone with strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, and an ability to build rapport with people in diverse, often unpredictable environments. You should be comfortable being mobile outdoors and working evening hours.
Qualifications:
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BA degree or equivalent experience in outreach with individuals experiencing homelessness.
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Valid driver's license and ability to drive the Outreach Van.
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Physically able to walk or stand for up to six hours in all weather conditions.
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Trauma-informed and culturally competent, including familiarity with street culture and LGBTQ communities.
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Street smart and adaptable to working across all Chicago neighborhoods.
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Experience in motivational interviewing and harm reduction preferred.
Bonus if you:
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Speak Spanish.
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Have lived experience with homelessness or substance use and are interested in peer advocacy work.
Why Work With Us
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Be part of a mission-driven team making an immediate difference in people's lives.
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Thrive in a collaborative, inclusive environment that values your experience and perspective.
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Gain meaningful connections through your work while advocating for equity and access across Chicago.
Apply Today
Even if you don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We value diverse experiences-including lived experience-and are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is regularly required to talk or listen.
Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may vary at the different locations required in this job.
The Night Ministry is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
