Transitional Housing Economic Empowerment Advocate, Asian Women's Shelter, San Francisco, CA

Transitional Housing Economic Empowerment Advocate

Posted on: June 30, 2013
Application deadline: July 20, 2013
Posted by: Asian Women's Shelter

ORGANIZATION

Founded in 1988, Asian Women's Shelter (AWS) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and human trafficking and promoting the social, economic and political self-determination of women. AWS provides comprehensive programs and services in over forty languages through its Direct Service (DS) programs, including a 24-hour shelter program and crisis line, Multilingual Access Model, and Queer Asian Women and Transgender Support Program. AWS's Community Building (CB) programs change values, practices, systems, and policies through grassroots mobilization, systems reform, and inter-organizational community and capacity building. Support of Communities and Services (SOCS) programs empower community members and engage them in AWS as trained volunteers and multi-lingual, multi-cultural advocates and agents for change.

AWS upholds all program areas with an organizational foundation comprised of 1) dedicated board, staff, volunteers, on-call language advocates, and community members; 2) sound fiscal, personnel and administrative management via its Grants, Reporting, and Finance, Fundraising team (GRAFF); and 3) its Organizational Development (OD) work area, which includes strategic planning, evaluation and enhancement of programs and staff, shared leadership development, anti-oppression framework, movement-building and community partnerships, and commitment to personal and organizational integrity. More information can be found at www.sfaws.org.

THE POSITION

The AWS Transitional Housing Economic Empowerment (THEE) Advocate provides AWS clients participating in the Transitional Housing Program with financial literacy, economic planning, and achieving self-sufficiency during residency in the AWS shelter and the transition (post-shelter) period for the duration of clients' participation in the AWS Transitional Housing Program. The THEE Advocate builds a network of appropriate housing and employment opportunities to assist clients in transitioning out of shelter to safe, sustainable independence. This is a temporary position for an initial period of two years.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Support for Case Management

• Establish rapport with all residents and maintain working relationship during shelter residency and participation in Transitional Housing Program

• Work in conjunction with Woman's Advocate (Case Manager) to coordinate a continuum of services before and after transition out of the shelter

• With resident, develop transitional action plan, including housing, vocational training or job placement, and other appropriate services

• Provide or arrange essential language access through multilingual language advocates for transitional services

• Provide emotional support and advocacy following transition out of the shelter

• Maintain regular contact and follow-up with clients throughout their participation in the AWS Transitional Housing Program

• Participate in weekly case meetings of the Direct Services Team

Financial Literacy and Transition Readiness

• With input from other Direct Services staff, develop and maintain curriculum of basic financial literacy for residents

• Plan and implement financial literacy and economic empowerment workshops within the shelter

• Coordinate and support participation of AWS clients in job readiness program provided by AWS partner agency.

Transitional Services (Housing)

• Build network of housing opportunities, both in transitional housing programs and private housing

• Assist residents in finding, applying for, and negotiating appropriate permanent or transitional housing

• Coordinate site visits for residents to view housing and meet landowners; facilitate all necessary communication and documentation with landowners

• Help residents during move to new housing

Transitional Services (Employment)

• Build network of employment opportunities

• Assist residents and former residents in finding and applying for appropriate training or employment

• Support residents and former residents throughout their participation in the Transitional Housing Program

General Responsibilities Shared by Full Time Staff

• Participate in committees for AWS annual benefit and annual holiday party for residents

• Following completion of AWS training, share responsibility for crisis line, answering office phones, shelter emergency coverage, and mail pick-up

• Contribute to general upkeep of office and shelter space and house maintenance

• Actively participate in quarterly staff retreat and weekly staff meetings

• Contribute to expanding public awareness and organizational visibility

• Contribute to development and implementation of team and agency work plans and strategic planning

• Respond if needed to shelter emergencies

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working across diverse communities (e.g. across ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability, age, gender identity, race, class, education, and immigration status)

• Experience in direct service or case management

• Experience providing training to non-English speakers

• Excellence in verbal and written communication skills in English

• Computer proficiency (Microsoft Excel, Word); Mac preferred

• Ability to set timelines, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines

• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently, and participate in a team

• Experience working with non-profits or CBO's, particularly in Asian, immigrant, and/or refugee communities

• Commitment to the practice of non-violence, feminism, anti-homo/bi/transphobia, and anti-oppression

• Commitment to direct communication, consensus-building, constructive and self-reflective conflict resolution, and practice of AWS values

• Positive attitude towards problem solving and learning

• Ability to work collaboratively and positively represent AWS with other organizations

• Ability to deal with crisis situations effectively and calmly

• Bilingual/bicultural preferred

Hours: 40 hours/week
Salary: $38-42,000, depending on experience
Benefits: Full health, dental, vision, life insurance
Duration: This position is funded for 2 years; continuation is dependent on funding.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a resume and a cover letter to: THEEsearch@sfaws.org
Please write "THEE Advocate Application- [Your Last Name]" in the subject line.
No phone calls, please.

Asian Women's Shelter is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition, or disability and denial of family medical leave and pregnancy leave.