Community Advocate

REACH Beyond Domestic Violence is a non-profit organization working with survivors of domestic violence to foster safety and support while engaging communities to promote healthy relationships. Our programs include 24-hour hotline services emergency shelter support groups legal advocacy specialized childrens services community-based survivor advocacy programs and community education and training. Our work is inclusive of all survivors including women men children and the LGBQ/T community. REACH seeks to end domestic violence in families communities and society and we do this through community building education and prevention programs and providing trauma-informed services.

At REACH we believe that the way we do our work matters. The respectful equitable relationships we work for in the world have to start with us. We do this work because we believe change is possible. We work with communities and individuals to change social norms and systems of oppression in order to prevent and ultimately end domestic violence. We are seeking a Community Advocate to work directly with survivors of domestic violence as they navigate complex systems and paths towards healing.

Community Advocate

Community Advocates work in our main office in Waltham with survivors from the Metro West Boston communities. The Advocate role includes a combination of case management emotional support & advocacy services to adult survivors of domestic violence within an agency framework that is trauma-informed strength-based relational and empowering. The hours for this position are 9am-5pm Monday-Friday with one remote day on Friday. Some evenings may be required to attend community events or to facilitate support groups.

Direct Service/Advocacy Responsibilities:

• Serve as advocate for community members including advocacy work around issues such as housing benefits employment childcare medical and dental care education legal matters immigration mental health and substance abuse
• Work with other REACH staff to address survivors needs and concerns
• Support the intake process including conducting intakes with survivors new to REACHs program
• Assist survivors with contacting community resources setting up appointments and transportation to and from appointments
• Attending and providing emotional support to survivors at court hearings.
• Collaborating with community partners and providers to ensure survivors have access to services.
• Attend any meetings or appointments that will assist in providing quality advocacy to survivors
• Work with the Director of Children Family and Group Services to address childrens needs including school registration daycare after school programs and summer camps
• Co-facilitate assigned support groups
• Maintain survivors records including service delivery records advocacy plans and other documentation in accordance with confidentiality guidelines

Systems Advocacy Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain relationships with housing authorities DTA and DCF offices employment agencies medical immigration legal substance abuse and other community resources
• Support legislative advocacy priorities through REACH including survivor engagement
• Track changes in availability and eligibility requirements for housing subsidies welfare and other benefits
• Inform other programs and institutions on domestic violence and our programs. Assist representatives in making information available to all members of their organization/institution

All staff at REACH commit to:

• Working to ensure that REACHs values are demonstrated in the policies and procedures of the organization every day.
• Working in collaboration with colleagues in other programs at the organization participating with internal committees and engaging with external and coalition work related to the role and/or the organization.
• Participating in staff meetings weekly professional supervision and clinical supervision.

We believe that successful candidates will demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Work from a philosophy that sees people not problems
• Eagerness to engage with people of all ages
• Knowledge of the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence and the impact of trauma
• Commitment to a social justice framework
• Strong interpersonal and crisis intervention skills
• Understanding of different cultural backgrounds and the ability to provide services that respect these differences.
• Strong ability to support and empower individuals who have experienced trauma
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for client interaction and documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously and maintain detailed records.
• Understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence legal protections and available resources
• Flexible adaptable patient proactive approach when working with survivors
• Model and uphold appropriate boundaries at work with survivors

Qualifications:

• Commitment to the philosophy and mission of REACH
• Strong communication empathetic and active listening skills and analytical skills.
• Fluency in Spanish is highly preferred including written verbal and reading.
• Model and uphold appropriate boundaries at work with survivors.
• Knowledge of Metro West Boston area resources.
• Ability to work in crisis situations and manage a diverse caseload with varying needs.
• Candidates will be asked to submit periodic background checks.
• This position requires frequent local travel. Candidates must have a valid drivers license and a car and be willing to drive for appointments. REACH provides mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate.

Work Schedule

• This is an hourly non-exempt position
• This is hybrid position with four days on-site at our office in Waltham and the option to be remote on Fridays
• Expected to have some flexibility to accommodate survivor appointments
• Occasional evening coverage will be necessary to attend community events or to facilitate support groups/activities.
• This position reports to the Director of the Community Advocacy Program.

Compensation:

The salary for this position ranges from $53000-$56000/$25.48-$26.92 depending upon skills and experience

• Comprehensive benefits package options including:
• Robust benefits including health dental vision Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) Dependent Care Account (DCA) Long Term Disability Employee Assistance Program life Insurance and retirement plan with employer matching up to 3% of salary contributed.
• 20 Days (4 weeks) of Paid Vacation Time 25 Days (5 weeks) after 3 years of employment
• A 4-week paid sabbatical in addition to vacation time is available to full-time employees after 7 years of employment
• 12 Days Paid Sick Time and 11 Paid Federal Holidays

REACH is an equal opportunity employer and provides an inclusive work environment.