Community Advocate, Goodwill Reentry Initiative F/T

Description

Hourly Pay Range: $19.19 - $27.21

Pay will commensurate with qualifications and experience.

This position typically pays the minimum of the pay range.

Why Work for Goodwill Southern New England?!

• Referral bonuses
• Retirement plan contributions
• Tuition and gym reimbursement
• Emergency assistance funds
• Paid time off
• And more depending on position!

SUMMARY
Perform diversified job duties to support and advocate for assigned individuals, in particular those identified as “high risk” due to involvement in violent crime(s). Act as a mentor, a trusted ally and role model. Assist program participants to navigate the stressful demands of transitioning back into the community in such areas as housing, employment, childcare, financial management, counseling and mental health needs, etc., in coordination with case manager and other service providers. 

Special Requirements:

Weekend, evening and holiday hours may be required based on individual work schedules of assigned participants and their support needs. 

PEER SUPPORT

It is recognized that reintegration supports provided by an individual who has successfully transitioned from a period of incarceration to community life is a valuable component of a comprehensive community reentry service model.  

The Community Advocate must have successfully transitioned from a period of incarceration, including successful completion of any period of probation or parole, and be able to share positive experiences and strategies for overcoming obstacles. The Community Advocate will share community resources and support networks to help facilitate a positive transition for GRI program participants. The Community Advocate must be a positive role model, be able to establish a good rapport and build a relationship of trust in order to effectively mentor program participants.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Work as part of the interdisciplinary team to assist participants in ensuring their successful reentry to the City of New Haven. Assist the team to develop individualized plans for each assigned participant that may include in-person meetings, assisting participants with problem-solving, assistance with learning actual job skills and/or workplace culture, and ability to discuss difficult issues such as addiction, discrimination and/or destructive personal habits. Must effectively balance support and encouragement while fostering personal responsibility, accountability and the capacity for good independent decision-making.

Identify natural supports, i.e. friends, family, counselor, minister, etc., that may be available for long-term support to foster reentry success as well as to help overcome barriers to successful community reintegration. Work with interdisciplinary team to resolve barriers to successful community reintegration.  

Work closely with GRI personnel to assist participants to access community support services to overcome obstacles and barriers to successful reentry while maintaining professional and ethical boundaries with participants and community partners and stakeholders at all times. 

Provide mentorship to program participants. Identify other adult mentors and peer mentors as needed. 

Offer support, encouragement and motivation to an adult who has been incarcerated. 

Organize opportunities for positive social, faith-based and community interactions for newly released offenders. 

Identify other community and family-related supports which encourage positive family interaction and successful family reunification. 

Support development of independent living skills such as financial education management, career planning, effective parenting and job retention. 

Communicate ongoing issues and concerns with appropriate Agency and other professional personnel to ensure health and safety needs are met for participants, staff, employers and community members. 

Use a computer to complete required communication and documentation of all activities, including data entry into the data management system of Agency programs (SETWorks) and of stakeholders (i.e. City of New Haven’s Apricot 360 data platform). Documentation will be completed to meet agency, state, federal and funding source guidelines in a timely, accurate and professional manner.

Assist with participant transportation as required, including use of personal vehicle.

Requirements

 QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below