Division/Department: Transitional & Supportive Housing /Third Street Women's ResidenceWork Schedule: Regular, Full Time. Sunday to Wednesday 9am-5pm and Thursday 1pm-9pmPay Type: SalaryOrganizational Overview:Henry Street Settlement opens doors of opportunity to enrich lives and expand human progress for Lower East Side residents and other New Yorkers through social services, arts, and health care programs. Building on its 125+year legacy of innovation and effective programming, Henry Street offers more than 50 programs and is one of New York City's largest social service agencies. Program Overview:The Transitional and Supportive Housing Cluster is a $9.1M division which provides Transitional Housing and Supportive Housing to Homeless individuals and Families, victims of Domestic Violence and Formerly Homeless Individuals. Services include four shelters; two family shelters, a domestic violence shelter, a shelter for Single Women with Mental Health Issue as well as a NYNY Supportive Housing building for formerly homeless individuals with Mental Health issues.The Third Street Women's Residence is a critical part of this network, providing transitional shelter and supportive services to 79 homeless women with mental illness concerns who are in need of permanent housing. The staff provides an array of social and housing placement services, working with the residents to enhance and develop life management skills, as well as to manage their mental health conditions. When needed, residents are referred to community-based organizations.Job Summary: The Consumer Advocate role is within the Third Street Women's Residence which is a 79 bed shelter for homeless women with Mental Health issues. This program includes on-site psychiatric and nursing services to supplement case management and housing services.Qualifications:
- Bachelors required; Masters of Social Work (MSW) preferred
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with indigent and or homeless population
- Strong Case Management, organizational, problem solving skills, and Housing Specialist skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Knowledge of computers such as Microsoft office, outlook, etc.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
- Must be able to travel throughout the five boroughs to service population in the field. Ability to be flexible with arrival and departures times due to travel time.
Responsibilities:
- Formulate service plans and goals and assist residents to access and maintain permanent housing
- Work intensely with clients by escorting them on apartment searches
- Work with all Case Managers/ Housing Specialist to assist clients with reaching and maintaining independence goals
- Prepare clients for independent housing and conduct apartment search activities
- Ensure placement into appropriate housing
- Establish and develop new linkages with real estate brokers and landlords; maintain an active roster of real estate brokers and landlords
- Assist individuals seeking apartments in the public and private sector
- Accompany residents to appointments including: public assistance, apartment viewing, interviews, lease signing, and furniture shopping when necessary
- Provide aftercare follow up services for clients once they move into permanent housing, including home visits and phone follow up for up to one year
- Link clients to social services in new communities to enhance acclimation and stability
- Prepare all required reports and documents required by funders
- Perform all other tasks deemed necessary at the direction of the Assistant Program Director to aide in the shelter's achieving its programmatic goals
- Coordinate responsibilities with Social Service Team in order to assist residents with housing, documentation, medical, obtaining benefits, identification etc.
- Ensure rules and regulations are communicated to the residents
- Submitting weekly calendar and monthly reports
- Assist case managers/housing specialist with collecting compiling data and documentations
- Participate in weekly case conferences
- Other related duties as assigned by supervisor
Essential Physical Job Functions:
- Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
- Ability to climb stairs (up to six flights)