Cornerstone Resident Advocate, District Alliance for Safe Housing, Washington, DC

Cornerstone Resident Advocate

Posted on: May 24, 2013
Posted by: District Alliance for Safe Housing

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The District Alliance for Safe Housing, Inc. (DASH) is a newly formed nonprofit agency that works to ensure access to safe and sustainable refuge for victims of domestic violence through the development and management of safe housing and related services, while increasing the capacity of other community-based organizations to expand housing for victims throughout the District of Columbia.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide intensive housing advocacy services and support to domestic violence survivors and their children in the temporary emergency housing program. This is a entry level management position. Duties include the following:


Advocacy:

• Generating resources in the specialty area of housing, including: researching available supportive housing options, developing relationships with landlords, and housing programs, acting as a liaison to other agencies, attending related meetings regarding housing issues for homeless populations;
• Conducting intakes and assessments with potential residents;
• Providing concrete resources, information and referrals to residents;
• Conducting needs assessments with each woman and her children to determine priority of needs;
• Conducting weekly meetings, or as often as needed, with each family to ensure that they are receiving the appropriate levels of support;
• Conducting outreach to housing/homeless programs to improve access for survivors;
• Building referral relationships with employment service programs and other social service programs;
• Assisting residents with creating budgets and financial plans;
• Advocating on behalf of victims with city agencies, private landlords and other service providers;
• Performing on-call duties;
• Maintaining clear and timely documentation;
• Participating in staff meetings, trainings and other meetings as needed;
• Building partnerships with related community-based organizations; and
• Meeting with the Clinical Supervisor, Children's Program Director, weekly and the Addiction Specialist as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

A Bachelor's Degree and two years work experience are required (education and or work experience may be substituted for these requirements). Excellent organizational, writing and analytical skills required, as well as high energy level, strong interpersonal skills, and initiative. Knowledge of domestic violence and social justice issues required. Knowledge of public benefits, social service programs and housing system. Ability to comfortably navigate neighborhoods throughout the District. A demonstrated ability to work independently and comfort working in a newly formed nonprofit. Fluency in another language a plus.

Preferences: Ability to speak, write and understand the Spanish and Amharic languages.

HOW TO APPLY

Please contact the Cornerstone Housing Program Director, Bobbi Mason by email only at bmason@dashdc.org. Please, no phone calls.