Director of Development, Mothers Out Front, Cambridge, MA

Director of Development

Posted on: October 17, 2014
Application deadline: October 31, 2014
Start date: December 1, 2014
Posted by: Mothers Out Front

Mothers Out Front is building a movement of mothers and grandmothers to provide the political will needed to achieve a livable climate and bright future for all children in the face of climate change. We are seeking a director of development to design, implement, and grow all of Mothers Out Front's fundraising programs. The position reports to the Managing Director and works closely with the Chair of the Board.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a start-up nonprofit organization aiming to take the best ideas in movement-building and grow our Massachusetts-based work across the country.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish, implement, manage and evaluate an annual development program at the national, state and individual levels in conjunction with the Board, the Managing Director, and our volunteer leadership, supporting an organizational budget of $1.2m in 2015 and $2m in 2016.
• Implement a major gifts and a membership program as part of the individual strategy.
• In close collaboration with the Board Chair, implement a state-by-state Leadership Circle of individual donors as part of the state strategy.
• Create the development program structure and systems (including a fundraising database) to support short and long term fundraising goals and effectively utilize the talents and capabilities of staff and volunteers.
• Write and produce donor solicitation and cultivation packages, proposals, reports, and other correspondence.
• Partner with communications staff and volunteers to create effective messaging strategies and materials, including brochures and newsletters, which resonate with donor audiences.
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to ensure fundraising, communications and advocacy work are coordinated throughout the organization.
• Research and identify new donor prospects and upgrades including individuals and foundations.
• Coordinate donor and prospect cultivation activities, including arranging donor meetings for Board Chair, Managing Director, self, and others as appropriate.
• Prepare donor acknowledgements for signature by the Board Chair.
• Analyze donor activity and generate fundraising progress reports.
• Ensure that all donor relationships are properly stewarded and funder requirements are met.
• Collaborate with volunteer leaders to organize fund raising events with support from staff and volunteers.
• Attend fundraising training workshops and programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated success in all facets of fundraising and management.

• Minimum of 7 years professional fundraising experience preferably in a non-profit, membership-based, advocacy organization.
• Strategic and creative thinker with a proven ability and verifiable track record in developing, marketing and executing an integrated, multi-faceted fundraising program capable of generating diversified and sustainable revenue.
• Superior analytical, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership and management skills and a demonstrated ability to partner with, motivate, and mentor team members (including volunteers).
• Ability to succeed in a changing, fast-paced environment, to plan and prioritize effectively, to manage multiple projects, and to meet competing demands and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to gain the confidence of a variety of constituents.
• Experience in fundraising database and/or moves-management systems.
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational, analytical and problem solving skills.
• A strong commitment to address climate change.
• Bachelor's degree required.

Salary commensurate with experience.

HOW TO APPLY

Serious applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to jobs@mothersoutfront.org. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. No calls please.

Women, people of color, LGBTQs, and members of other historically disenfranchised groups are especially welcome and encouraged to apply.

Massachusetts State Organizer, Mothers Out Front, Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts State Organizer

Posted on: October 17, 2014
Application deadline: November 1, 2014
Start date: December 1, 2014
Posted by: Mothers Out Front

Mothers Out Front is building a movement of mothers and grandmothers to provide the political will needed to achieve a livable climate and bright future for all children in the face of climate change. We are seeking a Massachusetts state organizer to oversee all organizing efforts in the state. The position reports to the Organizing Director.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a start-up nonprofit organization aiming to take the best ideas in movement-building and grow our work within Massachusetts and across the country.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish and manage calendar of organizing work for Mothers Out Front state-level network for the coming year.
• Work with volunteer teams to establish yearly meeting calendar.
• Guide volunteers to establish statewide and team strategic, capacity-building, and learning goals.
• Guide volunteers to develop statewide structure and teams.
• Coach volunteers to enact strategy, build volunteer leadership, and recruit supporters.
• Ensure that learning process is embedded and codified in all the work of the statewide organization.
• Supervise Massachusetts Organizing Coordinator.
• Ensure that statewide strategic, capacity-building, and learning goals are consistent with nationwide goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in organizing and movement building.
• Demonstrated success in working with volunteers to achieve a goal.
• Excellent people-skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A desire to learn.
• An ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, campaign like environment.
• Enjoy and have the ability to work in teams.
• An ability to sometimes work evenings and weekends.
• A strong commitment to address climate change.

HOW TO APPLY

Salary commensurate with experience.

Serious applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to jobs@mothersoutfront.org. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. No calls please.

Women, people of color, LGBTQs, and members of other historically disenfranchised groups are especially welcome and encouraged to apply.

Bilingual Community Advocate, On The Rise, Cambridge, MA

Bilingual Community Advocate

Posted on: November 26, 2013
Posted by: On the Rise

DESCRIPTION

On The Rise, Inc. (OTR) is a dynamic, Cambridge, MA-based non-profit founded in 1995 that serves women in crisis and homelessness throughout the region. Our Safe Haven Program's innovative approach has unprecedented success with women who are unable to make full use of other community programs for reasons that may include their histories (trauma, violence and abuse are ubiquitous) and present conditions (many women are coping with multiple issues, from physical and mental health concerns, to addiction, criminal histories, and more). In the face of these obstacles, women who participate in OTR's programs leverage their initiative and core strengths to find safety and discover new possibilities.

This full-time exempt position reports directly to the Program Director. One position on the 6-person Advocacy Team is currently open. The position may be filled by an experienced individual with high school diploma or GED who has at least three years' direct service experience with trauma survivors, substance users, people with mental health issues and/or homelessness. Relevant life experience will also be strongly considered for the position. FLEUNCY IN SPANISH IS REQUIRED.

An advocate's responsibilities begin at the Safe Haven, a daytime program where women experiencing trauma and homelessness may address some basic human needs such as food, clothing, rest and hygiene. At the Safe Haven Community Advocates spend both casual and intensive time with individual women, many of whom are trauma survivors, struggle with mental and physical health issues, and substance use/abuse.

The Advocacy Team builds relationships with the women in this environment, and these relationships are the basis for long-term, broad-based support both inside and outside the Safe Haven. Such support may take the form of assistance in using other programs through accompaniment and advocacy; support may relate to a wide range of issues, including housing, drug and alcohol treatment, domestic violence, sexual assault, childhood and adult trauma, legal and criminal issues, parenting issues, physical and mental health issues, applying for public benefits, budgeting, sexual identity and orientation, and more.

Hours: OTR's normal business hours are 8-4 on weekdays. The Safe Haven is also open on most Saturdays and most holidays. In order to ensure adequate staffing during all the Safe Haven's scheduled operations, Community Advocates schedules may include one Saturday monthly and occasional holidays and exclude occasional weekdays.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct service to women: 
  • Providing broad-based, long-term emotional and general support to women in the Safe Haven, with other programs and offsite (at the hospital, in court, at other community programs, etc.)
  • Working with women to help them articulate their needs, supporting them in meeting these needs, helping them work through issues including housing, drug and alcohol abuse and treatment, domestic violence, sexual assault, childhood and adult trauma, legal and criminal issues, parenting issues, physical and mental health concerns, benefits, budgeting, sexual identity and orientation, and more
  • Facilitating women's access to other programs including information and referral, accompaniment to and advocacy at other agencies and programs, coordinating follow-up care and assistance
  • Crisis intervention and harm reduction, including assessment of danger and risk

• Collaboration:
  • Collaboration within the Advocacy Team to provide a safety net of support for women at OTR that is not wholly dependent on particular staff members, and to leverage the diverse skills of different team members in complex, multi-layered problem-solving
  • Strengthening professional relationships within the continuum of service providers, enhancing the success and effectiveness of referrals between OTR and other programs, and providing a smoother integration for women into and through the system – in keeping with OTR's "mortar between the bricks" philosophy
  • Acting as occasional "ambassador" of OTR to community members, donors, and other interested parties at site visits, open houses, and other organizational events

• Organization:
  • Regular exercise of independent judgment and discretion
  • Participation in maintaining a safe, clean, healthy physical environment, adequate supplies, etc.
  • Certain aspects of day-to-day program management, e.g. meetings, scheduling
  • Recordkeeping and reporting
  • Active participation in program development and evaluation, identification of service gaps, etc.

• Other: 
• Like all OTR employees, Community Advocates will be flexible and open to "pitching in" as needed with other duties that arise in the course of a 13-employee organization's day-to-day operations
• Like all OTR employees, Community Advocates are expected to strive to continuously increase skills and competence, e.g. taking advantage of opportunities for professional networking and continuing education

What We Are Looking For

On The Rise enjoys an excellent reputation within the support of a committed and diverse community. We are looking for a person who can build on our strong history and excellent programming, to continue to increase the quality and positive impact of our programs on women in crisis and homelessness.

The ideal candidate has:

• Personal experience with the issues facing the women who use our services (homelessness, trauma, substance use/abuse, domestic violence, physical/mental health issues, etc.)
• Exceptional commitment to the mission of On The Rise and to furthering this mission through direct service to women
• Demonstrated interest in or prior work with trauma, substance abuse, mental health, homelessness
• Understanding of and/or prior work using harm reduction and relational approaches, and to using these approaches to achieve social justice aims through direct service
• Knowledge of human service agencies and programs throughout Greater Boston
• Commitment and tact in contributing to the work of a multi-disciplinary team and assisting a diverse population, while maintaining personal standards and performance
• Desire to keep learning and stretching
• Determination to "meet each woman where she is" using creative, professional approaches
• Strength and self-knowledge in maintaining personal/professional boundaries, acknowledging personal limitations
• Judgment and experience in helping women prioritize competing, often conflicting, needs
• Rapport and discretion in dealing with sensitive, confidential matters
• Sense of humor
• Ability to work in a diverse and fast-paced environment; open to new ideas
• Microsoft Office literacy and internet savvy
• FLUENCY IN SPANISH IS REQUIRED

A valid driver's license and a personal vehicle are required for light to moderate use for employment purposes.

Salary commensurate with experience plus great benefits.

On The Rise is partially supported by MOVA through the 1984 VOCA grant from the Office of Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

On The Rise recognizes the importance and benefits of diversity in the workplace and the community. We are an AA/EOE, and we strongly encourage people of color to apply. Individuals who have experienced homelessness or overcome other significant life challenges are strongly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your resume and a cover letter addressing the questions below:

1. What excites you about On The Rise's mission?
2. What are your strongest skills and qualifications that will help you in this position?

Please submit your materials online to:
charyti.reiter@ontherise.org with "Community Advocate " in the subject line.

Pregnant Women's Specialist, Institute for Health & Recovery, Cambridge, MA

Pregnant Women's Specialist

Posted on: June 21, 2013
Posted by: Institute for Health and Recovery

DESCRIPTION

The Pregnant Women's Specialist supports IHR's mission to develop a comprehensive continuum of care for individuals, adolescents, and their families who are affected by alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, mental health problems, and violence/trauma, homelessness and HIV, by coordinating substance use treatment services for pregnant and postpartum women.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain familiarity with state and federal requirements for pregnant women's substance abuse treatment services
• Through telephone screening, determine treatment need and eligibility for pregnant/postpartum women with substance abuse issues
• Perform intakes for pregnant/postpartum women seeking treatment
• With Access Team, maintain up-to-date record of openings in FRT/FSL system
• Match women with openings in FRT/FSL system and other treatment programs, as appropriate
• Maintain and update listings of all programs serving pregnant women
• Provide interim telephone counseling services to pregnant and postpartum women in need of treatment who are unable to be placed immediately
• Refer pregnant/postpartum women to services as needed
• Follow up referrals by calling women to ensure they have been able to access treatment
• Work closely with Helpline to facilitate timely referrals
• Represent IHR in State forums, addressing guidelines for pregnant women's treatment programs
• Monthly, collect and update data from treatment programs regarding current status of pregnant women referred to treatment
• Work with all levels of treatment programs to ensure they have the capacity to respond to referral and treatment requirements
• With Assistant Director, complete collection of data annually for Federal Block Grant Report

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with substance abuse treatment services for pregnant women, and for postpartum women with children up to six months of age
• Bachelor's Degree in human services, or related field, strongly preferred
• Understanding of the Massachusetts treatment system and options for pregnant/postpartum women
• Experience providing telephone counseling to pregnant women seeking treatment
• Familiarity with substance abuse and treatment, particularly family treatment
• Familiarity with child welfare issues, especially as they are affected by substance abuse
• Strong and clear communicator; can work well under pressure
• Excellent writing and reporting skills
• The ability to work as a team player

HOW TO APPLY

Please forward a formal cover letter and resume to:
Human Resources, Institute for Health and Recovery, Inc., 349 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139 or email (preferred) to hr@healthrecovery.org.

Safe Haven Intern, On The Rise, Inc., Cambridge, MA

Safe Haven Intern

Posted on: March 20, 2013
Posted by: On The Rise, Inc.

DESCRIPTION
On The Rise, Inc. (OTR) is a dynamic, Cambridge, MA-based non-profit founded in 1995 that serves women in crisis and homelessness throughout the region.
OTR's Safe Haven is a low-threshold day program in which women may participate – usually without changing their behavior, without disclosing private information, and without committing to a schedule of future achievements or benchmarks. The program is intended for women whose histories of trauma and chronic difficulty engaging with the social service system indicate the need for a longer period of engagement with low barriers to entry.
The Safe Haven provides a dignified and respectful community in which women can receive tangible goods and services – meals, clothing, toiletries, laundry, bathing, housewares, telephone and voice mail, access to health and legal services, strengths-based opportunities for artistic expression like painting, writing and theater groups, and more. These activities provide the framework in which program participants may, over time, establish relationships with OTR's staff of Community Advocates. When these relationships reach a level of trust and confidence that meets a woman's needs, she may (and often does!) choose to use the support and skills of the Advocates to take on more complex challenges, like physical and mental health concerns, addiction, criminal histories, domestic violence, etc.
For more information, please visit our website: www.ontherise.org

POSITION
OTR's Safe Haven Interns provide direct service in OTR's flagship program, helping to deliver the goods and services available through the Safe Haven and fostering a supportive community in which program participants can progress beyond their immediate tangible needs and begin to gain access to the broader social service network through OTR's team of Advocates. In the Safe Haven, interns begin to develop hands-on experience with the population OTR serves, learning about the variety and complexity of the women's challenges, and the cumulative impact of trauma in their lives. Working with OTR's Community Advocates, interns learn effective techniques and practices of providing holistic services, using a relational model informed by the philosophy of harm reduction.
OTR's internships are unpaid.

QUALIFICATIONS
The Safe Haven Internship requires a minimum commitment of 16 hours per week for the academic year. College juniors, seniors or graduates are preferred. Interns are supervised by OTR's Safe Haven Advocates.
Interns will have interest in the mission of On The Rise and a desire to further this mission through direct service to women. Coursework in trauma, substance abuse, mental health, homelessness and other relevant topics are a plus. Excellent active listening skills are needed as well as an empathetic non-judgmental perspective, ability to work well with a wide range of populations, good problem-solving skills, and a sense of humor!

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct service to women:
  • Provide general support for program participants through nonjudgmental, empathic active listening.
  • Provide referrals and advocacy to help program participant gain access to resources offered by other providers
  • Be a liaison between women in the Safe Haven and the goods and services available through the program. Answer questions, give access to secured goods as directed by Advocates, maintain generally available supplies.
  • Facilitate the daily offering of breakfast and lunch in the Safe Haven, helping with set-up, breakdown, and other logistics of meals.
  • Assist with Safe Haven communications – create and post informational signs and sign-up sheets,
  • Work with staff to plan and execute occasional special activities and trips

• Other programmatic services
  • Participate in organization's data collection and performance measurement and evaluation activities.
  • Attend semi-weekly Advocates Team meetings and weekly staff meetings to develop responses to individual cases, and develop understanding of program participants' challenges.
  • Attend occasional trainings on specific topics, as recommended by staff.
  • Accompany staff on visits and appointments with program participants.
  • As appropriate accompany women on outside appointments.

• Fundraising, Administrative and Other:
  • Support staff in supplying, organizing and maintaining program needs, offices and facility: food and supplies, files, tools, donations, etc.
  • Assist with occasional Development projects – publications, mailings, volunteer events, fundraisers, etc.
  • Like all OTR employees, Interns will be flexible and open to "pitching in" as needed with other duties that arise in the course of a small organization's day-to-day operations

On The Rise is partially supported by MOVA through the 1984 VOCA grant from the Office of Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, and the U.S. Department of Justice.
On The Rise recognizes the importance and benefits of diversity in the workplace and the community. We are an AA/EOE, and we strongly encourage people of color to apply. Individuals who have experienced homelessness or overcome other significant life challenges are strongly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your resume and a cover letter addressing the questions below:
1. What excites you about On The Rise's mission?
2. What are your strongest skills and qualifications that will help you in this internship?
3. What do you hope to learn?

Please submit your materials to:
Academic Year Safe Haven Internship
Attn: Becky McDowell Operations Coordinator
On The Rise, Inc.
341 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02139

You may also apply on-line by submitting your résumé and cover letter as attachments to: becky.mcdowell@ontherise.org with "Academic Year Internship " in the subject line.