Domestic Violence Shelter Advocate (Weekend)

ABOUT US: Health Imperatives is a safe and welcoming place for people from every race ethnicity culture gender sexual orientation age ability and faith. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of low-income or vulnerable families and individuals in Southeastern Massachusetts. We are dedicated to promoting and achieving diversity equity and inclusion. We are committed to elevating the voices of the people we serve and those we employ to provide the highest quality care and to develop the most creative solutions to the challenges we face. We are committed to eliminating disparities and increasing access to meaningful opportunities for all particularly those disproportionately impacted by systemic racism. We partner with our clients and other community-based organizations and stakeholders to provide coordinated effective care and support. We serve a diverse mix of racial ethnic and cultural groups including youth LGBTQIA individuals people with limited English proficiency survivors of sexual assault domestic violence commercial sexual exploitation individuals with substance use disorders and people who are or have been incarcerated. We provide a wide array of trauma-informed healthcare emergency services and support to nearly 24000 individuals each year and we are committed to making our programs more accessible to all.

POSITION: Weekend Domestic Violence Shelter Advocate (1st Shift)

PROGRAM: Penelopes Place

HOURS: Saturday and Sunday 7:30 AM -3:30 PM $28.10/hr (16 hours per week)

LOCATION: Brockton

DUTIES: Under the direct supervision of the Shelter Manager the Domestic Violence Shelter Advocate will provide culturally

responsive support to shelter residents ensuring their safety security and well-being and ability to secure permanent housing.

• Provide crisis intervention emotional support and trauma-informed survivor-centered services to adults and children.
• Conduct intakes safety planning ongoing needs assessments and assist with personalized safety plans including emergency strategies and risk reduction.
• Offer advocacy in housing legal options medical care employment childcare financial stability and provide court accompaniment and legal referrals.
• Facilitate groups that meet residents needs such as life skills workshops and educational sessions.
• Coordinate referrals to counseling healthcare public benefits and housing resources.
• Support daily shelter operations including resident orientation conflict mediation enforcing policies and maintaining a safe clean and welcoming environment.
• Complete case notes incident reports and data entry accurately while maintaining strict confidentiality and following all legal/ethical requirements including mandatory reporting.
• Collaborate closely with advocates case managers and shelter staff to align services with safety plans and goals.
• Plan coordinate and facilitate therapeutic educational and/or recreational activities for adults and children ensuring activities promote healing empowerment emotional regulation and inclusivity.
• Respond to crises using de-escalation and trauma-informed techniques.
• Ensure all activities comply with shelter policies safety protocols and confidentiality standards.
• Participate in staff meetings supervision and ongoing training related to trauma domestic violence and group facilitation and provide community outreach as needed.

• Ability to maintain flexible schedules in accordance with program needs i.e. some day shift and/or weekend emergency responses may be required.
• Demonstrated understanding of the dynamics of sexual violence and relationship violence.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
• Valid MA drivers license and reliable vehicle.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with crisis intervention regarding issues such as homelessness mental health substance misuse preferred.
• Experience in accessing and connecting residents with community resources.
• Initiative-taker with a strong ability to work both independently and as part of a team.