Shelter Advocate

If you are interested in this position please send a cover letter and resume by March 21 to:
Safe Passage, Inc.
43 Center St. Suite 304
Northampton, MA 01060
Info@safepass.org


JOB DESCRIPTION
SHELTER ADVOCATE—RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM

Safe Passage’s Residential Program Shelter Advocate has primary responsibility to provide counseling and systems advocacy for adult shelter residents. Responsibilities include crisis intervention, conflict resolution/mediation, peer support and education based on multicultural empowerment models. The Shelter Advocate is also responsible for providing housing, legal, welfare, disability, child protection, employment, and educational advocacy for adult shelter residents. The Shelter Advocate is part of Safe Passage’s residential program team and reports to the Director of Programs.

Responsibilities and job duties:

• Provide individual (formal and informal) support to residents including goal planning and peer support
• Support the work of the Children’s Advocate around parenting issues
• Provide crisis intervention and conflict mediation for residents
• Provide systems advocacy
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other systems
• Work with residents to ensure cooperation, sanitary/safety levels in residential program, including enforcing house policies and rules
• Convene and participate in weekly house meetings and emergency housing meetings as they arise
• Help to arrange/provide transportation for residents and help arrange for childcare
• Case share with counseling team and other direct service staff
• Participate in activities related to updating policies and evaluation methods
• Organize and maintain work area, including office files, protocols, guidelines, and logs
• Provide routine backup relief and hotline coverage in rotation with other direct service staff
• Facilitate support groups together with counseling team and other direct service staff
• Perform education and outreach presentations to increase awareness of domestic violence and help to recruit volunteers
• Provide training on domestic violence as part of Safe Passage’s volunteer training course and in other settings
• Supervise and help to coordinate the work of volunteers with in the shelter program
• Maintain appropriate files, records and statistics, and submit reports and information as needed for reporting to funders, Board of Directors, and others
• Participate in supervision meetings, counselor meetings, staff meetings, task forces and committees, fundraising/outreach events
• Seek out training opportunities to increase skills and knowledge about current issues

Education/experience requirements and qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in social work or related field, or substantial equivalent experience
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, bilingual Spanish/English and bi- or multi-cultural strongly preferred
• Minimum of two years experience providing counseling or peer support, case management and/or advocacy
• Ability to advocate effectively on behalf of clients
• Ability to support residents in crisis with empathy while maintaining professional boundaries
• Ability to speak in public and make presentations to groups
• Skill and experience in facilitating support groups
• Computer/technology proficiency
• Ability to manage multiple tasks at the same time with accuracy
• Excellent organizational skills
• Commitment to equality and social justice
• Experience working in a diverse, multicultural workforce
• Ability to represent Safe Passage in a professional and exceptional manner
• Reliable transportation

Dear Friends,

Safe Passage extends our sincere thanks to each and every person who contributed to make the fourth annual Mayor Higgins’ Hot Chocolate Run such an amazing experience.

We are especially proud of the 2,200 walkers and runners and more than 130 volunteers who braved the bitter weather in an uplifting demonstration of community support.

In addition to creating a one-of-a-kind launch to the holiday season, you and your neighbors raised $45,000 for Safe Passage’s domestic violence services for families.

During the many months of work leading up to Saturday’s event, we learned a lot about the community where we live, most importantly, that we are surrounded by very generous, kind and talented individuals – good neighbors by any measure. When asked to join in by Safe Passage volunteers, you repeatedly replied, “Yes, I want to help.” And your outpouring of goods and services, dollars and time helped to make this year’s event an unprecedented, unqualified success.

Because you responded so positively, Safe Passage has more resources to provide critical direct services and shelter to families whose lives have been damaged by domestic violence. We celebrate and applaud your community spirit and the message of hope and support you have sent to all the people Safe Passage serves.

The spirit of the Hot Chocolate Run inspires Safe Passage’s work all year long. We invite you to learn more about us at our website www.safepass.org and consider becoming a volunteer.

With deep gratitude and warm wishes for the new year,

BethAnn Albro-Fisher, Chair, Mayor Higgins’ Hot Chocolate Run
La Wanza Lett-Brewington, Executive Director, Safe Passage
Gail Kielson, President of the Board, Safe Passage

Safe Passage's 30th Anniversary Spring Gala was held on May 10, 2007 at the Hills Chapel in Northampton. The event featured a performance by the Nields and a silent and live auction, and raised over $21,000 for Safe Passage's programs!

Everyone enjoyed the inspiring and soulful performance by The Nields—including the live auction featuring auctioneer extraordinaire Katryna Nields—and a rootsy-folk performance by Drew Hickum. The silent auction, offering a wide array of artwork, services, products and entertainment items donated by area artists, businesses, and members of the community, was festive and well-received.

Watch this site for news about our 2008 Spring Gala!