Street Outreach Advocate, Maternity Group Home (54179)

Des Moines, IA - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 30+ days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Description

YSS is looking for a Street Outreach / Maternity Group Home Advocatesomeone who leads with empathy and shows up with consistency.

Youll show up where it matters most supporting young people ages 1621 who are navigating housing instability or the risk of homelessness offering steady compassionate support rooted in trust and respect. This role meets youth where they areboth physically and emotionallybuilding meaningful relationships in community spaces emergency shelters schools and other settings where young people feel most comfortable.

Serving primarily as a Street Outreach Youth Advocate (approximately 75% of the role) youll provide a consistent trauma-informed presence focused on listening first honoring each young persons experiences and empowering them to make choices that support their safety and well-being. Youll help connect youth to resources and opportunities that promote stability while recognizing that progress often happens one small step at a time. The remaining 25% of this role supports young parents in our Maternity Group Home offering encouragement guidance and practical support as they build confidence strengthen life skills and work toward independence for themselves and their children.

At its heart this role is about relationship-building patience and believing in the resilience of young peopleeven on the days when theyre still figuring things out. Responsibilities include:

Build trusting respectful relationships with young people while creating a safe welcoming environment where they feel seen supported and valued.
Support youth in meeting their basic needs by helping them access essential resourcessuch as safe shelter food transportation clothing hygiene supplies health care and community services. This includes offering calm compassionate crisis support helping de-escalate difficult moments and connecting youth to victim services and other supports when needed.
Create and lead programming that helps young people learn about available resources strengthen life skills and build meaningful connections with peers and supportive adults in the community.
Maintain a strong working knowledge of Des Moinesarea resources and use that knowledge to thoughtfully connect youth to services that best meet their individual needs.
Welcome new participants by completing intakes with care and respect ensuring youth understand available supports and feel comfortable accessing services.
Complete timely accurate documentation in ServicePoint to reflect services provided and support continuity of care.
Facilitate group sessions as needed including topics focused on basic living skills and personal growth.
Share information about Iowa Homeless Youth Centers and youth homelessness in the community to help increase awareness and understanding.
Use supportive trauma-informed interventions when working with youth who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness always centering dignity safety and choice.

This description is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time.

What We Provide...

We believe in your potential we meet you where you are and we invest in your future. Beyond the meaningful work YSS provides the following benefits:

Supportive leadership team and mission-driven culture.
Flexibility and autonomy in a collaborative environment.
Competitive salary
Comprehensive benefits.
- Health insurance
- Voluntary dental insurance
- Voluntary vision insurance
- Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
- Supplemental accident critical illness and hospital indemnity insurance
- Professional liability insurance coverage
- Flexible spending account/health savings account
- Supplemental compensation award
Generous Paid Time off and Leave
- Four weeks of paid time off (PTO)
- Volunteer time off
- Paid holiday leave
- Birthday holiday
Wellness Program Opportunities
- Paid membership to the Athletic Club of Ames
- Employee Assistance Program for all employees
- Flu shots
- Mental health support
YSS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer.
403(b) retirement offerings

Qualifications

We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this we ask our staff to embrace YSS core values - Commitment Collaboration Compassion Innovation Integrity and a Can Do Spirit.

MUST HAVES - to qualify you need:

A bachelors degree in social work or a related human services field.
- OR
Three (3) years of experience working directly with homeless or at-risk youth.
This role involves travel including transporting clients. To meet YSS insurance requirements you must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Hold a valid state-issued drivers license
- Maintain a clean driving record
- Carry insurance that meets YSS coverage standards

SHOULD HAVES - Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrates a deep understanding of the needs and experiences of youth facing homelessness or housing instability applying trauma-informed care and effective intervention strategies.
Possesses strong knowledge of the Des Moines community.
Able to connect young people with appropriate resources and supports.
Communicates with clarity and empathyskilled in active listening observation speaking and writing.
Can effectively engage and communicate with participantsthe publiccolleagues and other staff members.

The IDEAL candidate will:

Be rooted in purpose and driven by equity inclusion and positive social impact.
Bring humility respect and cultural awareness to every interaction.
Speaks a languagein addition to English (especially one spoken in our communities).

Who You Are...

Youre a good listener slow to judge and comfortable meeting young people exactly where they arewithout needing to fix everything right away. You believe trust is built over time and you understand that progress doesnt always move in straight lines. Youre patient grounded and able to stay calm in unpredictable situations. You value relationship-based trauma-informed support and respect each young persons autonomy voice and lived experience. Youre comfortable working independently in the community while also staying connected to a supportive team.

You bring compassion flexibility and a belief in second chances (and third ones too). Whether youre connecting with youth on the street or supporting young parents in the Maternity Group Home you approach the work with humility resilience and a steady belief in young peoples capacity to grow and move forward.

We celebrate the strength in your story.

Have you navigated recovery from addiction mental health challenges trauma or housing instabilityYour lived experience offers a unique compassionate perspective that can inspire real change. By sharing your story and serving as a role model or mentor you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth and families.

Your journey matters. If youre ready to use it to uplift and empower others we warmly encourage you to apply.

Who We Are...

Were YSS - one of Iowas oldest & largest nonprofits dedicated to putting kids first. Our mission To spark hope create opportunities and help young people thrive. With life-changing programs an enthusiastic leadership team and our brand-new 50-acre recovery campus were growing fast and thinking big. Check us out at !

At YSS we celebrate the unique backgrounds identities and experiences that each team member brings. As an Equal Opportunity Employer were dedicated to creating a respectful inclusive and empowering environment where everyone can grow and succeed. And were always working to do better together.

YSS is a nicotine-free workplace.

Heads Up! Dont Miss Our Messages! - We communicate with applicants via email - straight from our Paycom system. So be sure to keep an eye on your inbox (and your spam/junk folder too). Got questions Email - were happy to help!

The YSS Hiring Process

Apply - Fill out the online app at - Well check out your skills and experience.
Interview - Phone video or in-person - well chat and get to know you.
References - Send us three people who can sing your praises.
Screening - Background and driving checks (plus license verification if needed).
Offer - If its a match youll get a formal offer through Paycom.

DescriptionYSS is looking for a Street Outreach / Maternity Group Home Advocatesomeone who leads with empathy and shows up with consistency.Youll show up where it matters most supporting young people ages 1621 who are navigating housing instability or the risk of homelessness offering steady compass...