Part Time Outreach

COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA

Job Description for Part-Time Outreach

As our direct care staff work with youth that are 18-24 years old,

we require that applicants are at least 25 years old.

Covenant House California is an affiliate of Covenant House International. Covenant House International has houses in more than 30 cities across the United States, Canada and Latin America. Our location here in Hollywood started as a team of volunteers in 1988 in Hollywood providing food, services, and a sense of being valued to youth on the streets. Their aim was to connect youth to a network of community resources with a goal of helping them move into stable housing situations.

After eight years of hard work, thanks to government funding, the donations of kind individuals, and support from foundations, CHC opened its Los Angeles Residential Center to provide the best services possible for Hollywood’s youth experiencing homelessness. The 36,000 square foot facility is located in Hollywood and features a Safe Haven Shelter with 60 beds, a Transitional Living Center with 24 beds, a medical clinic, cafeteria, and recreation space.

Our housing opportunities consist of the following four programs:

Safe Haven which immediately provides for youths’ basic human needs and urgent medical care. They receive a nutritious meal, take a shower with new personal care products, receive new clothes, and sleep in a warm, safe bed. They are then connected to supportive services that will help them thrive.

Rights of Passage, a transitional housing program that allows young people to refine their independent living skills. For up to two years, they live on campus healing from the trauma they suffered on the streets. They learn to save money and budget to pay rent, utilities and other necessities. They save their money for their first apartment and focus on earning a living wage. During this time they heal from the trauma they endured on the streets as they learn life skills, focus on earning a living wage, and save up money for their first apartment.

Supportive Apartment Program, for youth with a higher level of life skills which provides financial assistance to youth living in off-campus apartments. During their stay CHC provides an ever-lowering percentage of their rent until they are paying the full amount. Youth in this program are responsible for the rest of their bills and personal expenses are continue to have access to all of CHC’s supportive services.

The (H20) Hope2Opportunity is CHC’s Rapid Re-Housing program which features short-term housing assistance along with all of CHC’s supportive services. Case managers work with youth and local landlords to find appropriate apartments, then assist youth with move-in costs, rental assistance and weekly case management to ensure success. After two years youth take over their apartment leases.

In addition we also have a Street Outreach team, Day Outreach, Drop-In Center, Medical and Mental Health services, Employment and Education services and a Spiritual Ministry.

We are seeking qualified applicants to become a part of an exciting and dynamic organization that makes a difference in the lives of homeless and trafficked youth. Applicants that have experience working with youth that have experienced homelessness, who have traumatic histories, identify as LGBTQ, are gender non-conforming and/or who often face multiple issues and have complex needs. Applicants with knowledge and/or experience working with youth development programs, utilizing a harm reduction framework, using trauma informed practices and will value working with a multi-disciplinary team to create a safe inclusive environment would be highly preferred.

Covenant House California offers an excellent benefits package including: medical, vision, dental, an EAP program, pension, tax deferred annuity and a generous vacation package.

POSITION SUMMARY: Under supervision of the Wellness Center Director, the essential functions of this position include: intake assessments, crisis counseling, crisis case management and appropriate placement/referral services. The position is also responsible for full entering information into HMIS and ETO.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Provide direct case management, crisis intervention counseling, and referral for services as needed.

Provide full intake assessments for youth and entering of all data into HMIS and ETO systems.

Attend community-based meetings or forums on issues centering on youth homelessness and youth mental health issues.

Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with community partners to aid youth in the housing application process.

Maintain strong understanding of best practices in the field with regard to Youth Street Outreach interventions and strategies specifically targeting runaway, homeless, and those in danger of sexual exploitation.

Develop and maintain strong interventions that stem from the framework of trauma informed, harm reduction, and positive youth development models.

Work with funders, donors, board members, and media to help increase awareness of homeless issues.

Attend bi-weekly supervision meetings weekly with Wellness Center Director.

Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: BA in psychology, social work or a related field is required.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 1-2 years of working with homeless or at risk youth. Must be a self-starter and team player with the ability to work with other staff members, clients, vendors and the public.

SKILLS: Must exercise appropriate authority when needed having the ability to make independent decisions when it comes to client case planning. Must be knowledgeable in the areas of adolescent development, crisis intervention, and mental illness. Must have good organizational skills both orally and in written form.

TRANSPORTATION: Must have reliable transportation, a valid California driver’s license and good driving record.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Some overtime and after hours work is required as a condition of employment. Varies from office environment to working out of a company van in the community. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. on occasion, bend, sit and stand for prolonged periods of time. Some weekend/holiday work may be required.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES: Some supervision over volunteers, and peer interns.

EQUIPMENT USED: Computers, calculators, fax machines, telephone and other equipment as required.

Covenant House California does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

Covenant House California is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.