Basic Center Program Shelter & Outreach Advocate

United Against Human Trafficking; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Montrose Grace Place is seeking an Outreach Advocate to engage runaway and homeless youth, build trust, and help youth make safer decisions in a trauma-informed, non-judgmental environment. The role involves direct service at the Basic Center shelter and in the field, collaborating with partners to support youth in crisis.

The position requires at least one year in shelter or street outreach, experience with teens, and a 21+ age requirement.

Qualifications

• At least one year of residential shelter experience or experience doing street outreach.
• At least one year of previous work/volunteer experience with teens.
• Must be 21 years or older.

Responsibilities

• Assist Street Outreach leader in seeking out and conducting static and mobile outreach at locations where displaced youth frequent.
• Conduct mobile street outreach both in motorized vehicles and on foot and canvass high-risk areas to locate and engage street youth.
• Provide youth with street-based services, such as basic needs items and emergency referrals, while building rapport with youth using trauma-informed, harm-reduction approaches.
• Facilitate transitions for youth from the streets to the Basic Center shelter or other safe alternatives.
• Initiate non-judgmental conversation and provide a consistent positive, supportive presence to youth.
• Collaborate with The Way Home and other community partners on outreach efforts.
• Ensure safety of youth and outreach participants by following best practices and policies.
• Maintain accurate documentation of outreach logs, reports, progress notes, referrals, screenings, and data input.
• Coordinate care to youth under 18 that is safe, timely, effective and client-centered.
• Support hygiene, medication reminders, meals, and bedtime routines.
• Respond to crises using de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care.

Skills

Street outreach

Shelter experience

Youth work

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Montrose Grace Place’s Basic Center Shelter & Outreach Advocate will engage runaway and homeless youth on the streets, build trust and help youth make decisions that reduce risk of harm, while remaining non-judgmental, caring and respectful of youth’s unique identities. This grant-funded position also works directly with residents at the temporary, emergency shelter locations, utilizing trauma-informed, culturally responsive care in a safe and supportive environment.

Responsibilities Include:

• Assist Street Outreach leader in:
• Seeking out and conducting static and mobile outreach at locations where displaced youth frequent
• Conducting mobile street outreach both in motorized vehicles and on foot and canvass high-risk areas to locate and engage street youth
• Providing youth with street-based services, such as basic needs items and emergency referrals, while building a trusting rapport with youth over time through culturally-competent, respectful, harm reduction approaches
• Facilitating smooth transitions for youth from the streets to the Basic Program shelter or other safe alternative
• Proactively initiating non-judgmental conversation and provide a consistent positive, supportive presence to youth throughout the community
• Collaborate with The Way Home and other community partners on outreach efforts
• Ensure the safety of youth and anyone participating in outreach efforts by following best practices and proper outreach policies and procedures
• Maintain accurate documentation of outreach logs, outreach reports, grant reports, progress notes, referrals, initial screenings, and other program information, and ensure timely input of all data
• Ensure responsible allocation and documentation of resources in accordance with agency policies and procedures
• Coordinate and provide care to youth under age 18 that is safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and client-centered
• Ensure safety and enforce Basic Center Program house rules with empathy and consistency
• Support hygiene, medication reminders, meals, and bedtime routines
• Answer and provide support via our phone line during shifts
• Respond to crises using de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care
• Interact with youth to build rapport and serve as a role model, while ensuring a safe, secure, and caring environment
• Facilitate and assist with client and parent/legal guardian conflict resolution to achieve stability, wellness, and reunification
• Collaborate with Basic Center Program Manager, case managers, and other shelter staff to uphold care plans
• Model professionalism, positive communication, and conflict resolution
• Attend mandatory training and participate in team meetings
• Provide documentation of observable behaviors; interventions; daily progress notes; and other required information as required by supervisor and/or senior management
• Maintain and collect client information in accordance with agency, local/state, RHY, and RHY HMIS confidentiality standards
• Adhere to professional standards as outlined by policies, rules and regulations

Qualifications:

• At least one year of residential shelter experience or experience doing street outreach
• At least one year of previous work/volunteer experience with teens
• Must be 21 years or older

Education and Other Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Must pass a criminal background check, fingerprint background check, and reference checks
• Must have reliable transportation including a state drivers license and drivers insurance
• Lived experience of homelessness as a youth or young adult is preferred but not required
• Bilingual (English & Spanish) is preferred but not required

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization’s ongoing needs.

Montrose Grace Place (MGP) believes that equal opportunity for all employees is important for the continuing success of our organization. In accordance with state and federal law, Montrose Grace Place does not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race, disability, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran status, or non-job related factors in hiring, promotion, demotion, training, benefits, transfers, layoffs, terminations, recommendations, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. Opportunity is provided to all employees based on qualifications and job requirements.

NOTE: It is the policy of MGP not to hire applicants who have received services from our agency within the previous 12 month period.