Youth Empowerment Specialist – PT (Bilingual)

Title: Youth Empowerment Specialist – PT (Bilingual)

Reports to: Emergency Beds Supervisor

Wage range: $16.92 - $17.42 per hour

Schedule: Saturday & Sunday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

La Casa Norte’s mission is to serve youth and families confronting homelessness. We provide access to stable housing and deliver comprehensive services that act as a catalyst to transform lives and communities.

Job Summary

Casa Corazón Emergency Beds Program is aimed at transforming the lives of homeless and at-risk youth, ages 16-24, by providing them with the stability, support, and guidance they need to become thriving members of society. The program is open 365 days a year, 24 hours per day and provides immediate housing and other enriching activities to impact the lives of youth and help them achieve their life goals. Program participants will receive street outreach and access to a variety of services including a drop-in center with youth programming and meals, basic needs such as transportation and toiletries, and case management services focusing on a holistic, strength-based approach, with a focus on housing stability and educational, job readiness and placement. This is a full-time, overnight position. This is also a union position.

This is a part-time, working weekday overnights, weekend daytime or weekend overnight shifts and is a union position.

Expected Goals and Objectives

• To supervise and monitor client activities to maintain a safe and stable living environment
• Maintain professional relationships with all clients
• Supervise and ensure safety of the milieu
• Communicate in a timely and accurate fashion within the program (i.e. client intakes, incident reports, contact with youth’s families, facilities inventories, and all shift log entries) and complete all required documentation
• Support and implement the policies and philosophies of the program and of La Casa Norte including but not limited to Harm Reduction and Sanctuary Model frameworks.
• Utilize de-escalation and crisis intervention skills when needed in a supportive and caring manner
• To work in team approach to assist clients in achieving service plan goals
• Conduct intake needs assessment, create initial action plan, and refer clients to appropriate services
• Engage youth in discussion relevant to goals, strengths, and barriers to stability
• Coordinate with other staff to ensure continuity of services, to help youth develop important life skills
• Model effective and respectful communication with clients and other staff members
• Create and foster leadership opportunities for youth to encourage their personal development and the overall health of the community.
• Take advantage of “key teachable moments” to help youth develop skills in decision making, conflict resolution, time management, etc.
• Provide and coordinate life skills workshops to youth focused on personal hygiene, sexuality, financial literacy, household management, conflict resolution, anger management, and other areas as needed.
• Implement established structure of support and accountability within the program to allow youth to fully develop in all areas of their life
• Implement standards of cleanliness and maintenance by performing duties and requesting repairs
• Lead clients in the upkeep of the Low Thresholds Program and work with clients to ensure that necessary tasks are completed
• Clean and sanitize areas as needed to ensure the standard of cleanliness and sanitation is always maintained.
  
  

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Demonstrated desire and ability to work with homeless, at-risk, and adjudicated populations, providing appropriate support, motivation, and compassion in accordance with La Casa Norte’s mission and philosophy of service
• Knowledge regarding the social, economic, and cultural patterns of Latino and African American populations.
• Willingness to work in a diverse environment regarding race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and gender.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to work flexible hours as needed and have impeccable attendance.