Evening Direct Service Advocate — Trauma-Informed Shelter

YWCA of Western Massachusetts; Holyoke (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The Direct Service Advocate (DSA) supports residents in YWCA’s residential programs, providing advocacy, role modeling, and trauma-informed care within a multi-site setting in Massachusetts. The role focuses on empowering adults, teens and children through consistent, compassionate service.

You will work as part of a team with peers, supervisors, clinicians, and community partners to promote safety, healthy parenting, and engagement in daily activities.

Qualifications

• At least one year of counseling and direct service experience.
• Experience in a domestic violence setting.
• Experience with survivors of gender-based violence and exploitation.
• Reliable transportation, safe driving record, and valid driver's license required.
• Must be able to life 40 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Nurture and support a participant-guided, trauma-informed milieu with on-site engagement of all individuals and families.
• Promote life skills, parenting, and family engagement through 1:1 or group formats.
• Follow daily schedules and support individualized participant plans.
• Provide continuous direct service with face-to-face contact during shifts.
• Ensure safety procedures and 100% safety sweeps per shift.
• Provide orientation and emotional support to new participants on arrival.
• Welcoming new families and preparing rooms within 1–2 shifts of exit.
• Complete AWARDS logs and all required documentation before shift end.
• Shadow and learn routine job duties during orientation.
• Engage with residents at meals and maintain dining/kitchen areas and inter-shift communication.

Skills

Counseling experience

Direct service experience

Domestic violence awareness

Survivors of gender-based violence

Driver's license

Education

A.A. or equivalent education or experience in a human service field

Job description

The Direct Service Advocate (DSA) supports residents in YWCA’s residential programs, providing advocacy, role modeling, and trauma-informed care within a multi-site setting in Massachusetts. The role focuses on empowering adults, teens and children through consistent, compassionate service.

You will work as part of a team with peers, supervisors, clinicians, and community partners to promote safety, healthy parenting, and engagement in daily activities.