POSITION: Residential Advocate

REPORTS TO: Senior Director of Emergency Services

LOCATION: Woonsocket, RI

SCHEDULE: Position is full-time (37.5 hours a week).  The schedule is 9 am – 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

COMPENSATION: $21 to $23 an 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.

ABOUT US:  Sojourner House is a comprehensive victim services agency that provides crisis intervention services, shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing, clinical counseling, immigration advocacy, community-based programs, education prevention programming, a growing housing development program, and other supportive services to individuals and families impacted by abuse.  Our mission is to promote healthy relationships by providing culturally sensitive support, advocacy, housing, and education for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking; and to effect systems change.  Our organizational values are rooted in commitment, innovation, trust, and empowerment.  The agency has grown from a small, grassroots organization into a robust statewide agency with an $8 million annual budget and over 50 full-time employees across multiple locations.  To learn more about our work, please visit www.sojournerri.org. We are also active on social media at @sojournerri.

POSITION SUMMARY:   Responsible for coordinating the different components of Sojourner House’s Safehouse Shelter and Transitional Housing programs in northern Rhode Island.  Working with the Housing Team and the larger residential program, the Advocate will provide direct services and programming to shelter clients and transitional housing clients. The Advocate will work alongside other staff of the Residential Program to provide clients with support and empowerment as they seek to rebuild their lives.

 PRINCIPAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provide individual case management services to clients in Sojourner House’s shelters, transitional housing programs, and residential 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 permanent 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 residential housing program, which can include units statewide.  At a minimum, the advocate will facilitate 1-2 support groups, meetings and/or programs per week that will benefit clients and other community members.  The advocate will regularly assess the needs of Sojourner House’s safehouse clients and offer programs reflective of those needs.
  • Provide shelter coverage at Sojourner House’s emergency shelter(s), and assist with shelter hotline calls, referrals, and intakes.
  • Working with the Advocates and the Child & Youth Advocate, coordinate children’s services and make referrals as necessary for housing 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.
  • Provide outreach and advocacy to domestic violence and sexual assault survivors living in the community of Northern Rhode Island.
  • Answer phone calls, conduct intakes of new clients, and provide referrals and information to potential clients.
  • Gaining HIV and Hep C testing certification to test clients in the community, at the safehouse, as requested by the supervisor.
  • Monitor and implement shelter expectations and ensure that residents follow these guidelines and procedures by creating an environment of trust and community.
  • Complete data entry and submit necessary reports as required for grant compliance.
  • Work with the Building & Grounds Manager to address the maintenance needs of the shelter.
  • Stay abreast of RI community issues by building and maintaining relationships with housing and social service agencies in Northern Rhode Island, and throughout the state.
  • Prepare and deliver community presentations in Northern Rhode Island on issues related to domestic violence and housing when requested.
  • Support Sojourner House’s philosophy of client empowerment and respect for individual choices.
  • Work as necessary with other residential advocates and Volunteer Manager to help supervise volunteers.
  • Perform other duties as requested by the Manager of Transitional Programs and Sojourner House management team.

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology, or related field or equivalent work experience

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

  • A minimum of two to three years’ experience in human or social services
  • Proficiency in Spanish is preferred but not required
  • Familiarity with domestic violence and/or gender issues
  • Strong organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills
  • Familiarity working with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds
  • Experience developing and delivering community presentations
  • A demonstrated familiarity with LGBTQ, HIV/AIDS, mental health, and/or substance abuse populations
  • Innovative thinking to approaching issues of poverty and service delivery
  • Familiarity with social service services in Rhode Island
  • Access to a vehicle to facilitate traveling between the agency’s multiple locations and apartments
  • Comfort working individually and in teams
  • Computer literacy (Word, Excel, and general Internet skills)
  • Applicant must pass a background check prior to hiring
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including one late shift per week and one weekend day, providing on-call support as needed.

COVID Policy Notice: Sojourner House has mandated that its employees obtain a COVID-19 vaccine. Eligible employees may request an exemption from this policy for medical or religious accommodation reasons by working with our Human Resources Department.

TO APPLY: Please send a resume, cover letter, and list of 3 professional references to resumes@sojournerri.org with the subject line “Residential Advocate” or by mail to Sojourner House, Attn: HR Department – Residential Advocate, 386 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged.  No phone calls, please. 

Sojourner House is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

To learn more about Sojourner House’s work, please visit:  www.sojournerri.org.