Safe Harbor Advocate

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits seeks a Safe Harbor Advocate to provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered support to youth survivors of sex trafficking in Minnesota. You will assess needs, coordinate housing, healthcare, legal aid, and education, and advocate for safety and empowerment.

Role requires collaboration with law enforcement and service providers, plus ongoing crisis intervention to help clients navigate systems and rebuild their lives with dignity.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year experience working with unhoused individuals, vulnerable individuals, and/or those in crisis.
• Minimum 1 year experience working with youth ages 18-24.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in a related field is highly valued; advanced degree is a plus.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and survivor-centered approaches.
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team and coordinate care.
• Strong written and verbal communication and empathy.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed and survivor-centered support to youth survivors of sex trafficking.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments to determine survivors' immediate and long-term needs (safety, housing, healthcare, legal assistance, education, employment).
• Develop individualized service plans in collaboration with survivors and identify resources to meet needs.
• Coordinate access to essential services, including referrals to partner organizations, counseling, legal aid, and healthcare providers.
• Respond to crisis situations with sensitivity and urgency, ensuring safety and well-being.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, emergency shelters, and other providers to secure safe housing and emergency assistance.
• Assist survivors in developing safety plans and navigating legal systems, including court proceedings.

Skills

Empathy

Written communication

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Cultural competency

Team collaboration

Education

Associate/Bachelor's degree in related field

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Summary

The Safe Harbor Advocate plays a crucial role in our organization, providing compassionate and comprehensive support services to youth survivors of sex trafficking. This position focuses on directly assisting youth survivors, ensuring their safety, facilitating access to resources, and guiding them on their path to recovery and empowerment. The Safe Harbor Advocate is a trusted advocate, building rapport, and establishing a supportive environment to help youth survivors heal and rebuild their lives.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed and survivor-centered support, understanding their unique needs and empowering them in their journey towards healing and independence.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments to determine survivors' immediate and long-term needs, including safety, housing, healthcare, legal assistance, education, and employment.
• Develop individualized service plans in collaboration with survivors, setting goals and identifying resources to meet their specific needs.
• Coordinate and advocate for survivors' access to essential services, including referrals to partner organizations, counseling services, legal aid, and healthcare providers.
• Respond to survivors' immediate crisis situations with sensitivity and urgency, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• Collaborate with local law enforcement, emergency shelters, and other service providers to secure safe housing options and emergency assistance for survivors in need.
• Assist survivors in developing safety plans to address potential risks and navigate challenging situations.
• Provide ongoing crisis intervention and support, serving as a reliable and accessible point of contact for survivors.
• Offer empathetic and compassionate support to survivors, creating a safe and non-judgmental space for them to share their experiences and emotions.
• Collaborate with mental health professionals and counselors to ensure survivors receive appropriate therapeutic interventions.
• Advocate for survivors' rights and needs, both within the organization and in interactions with external stakeholders and assist survivors in navigating legal systems, including court proceedings, filing reports, and accessing legal representation.
• Stay up to date on available resources and services for survivors, maintaining a strong network of referrals and connections.
• Maintain accurate and confidential notes and records of survivor interactions, services provided, and progress towards goals by contributing to the organization's data collection efforts, ensuring the collection of relevant information for program evaluation and reporting purposes.
• Assist with coordination and training with other service providers, medical providers, law enforcement, and other entities our clients interact with.
• Attend working groups, Safe Harbor meetings, task force meetings, and other venues as assigned.
• Assist in developing, evaluating, and facilitating weekly support groups for all Safe Harbor aged youth (ages 18-24) who have been sexually exploited by using a trauma informed approach, language and care while facilitating.
• Work collaboratively with other Breaking Free programs (housing, outreach, etc.) when Safe Harbor age clients come into their programs and assist in other programs as needed.

Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Ability

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to donors, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, and basic internet navigation skills.

Education/Experience

A college degree is not required, however an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field is highly valued. An advanced degree is a plus, however commitment to continuous professional development and ongoing learning are essential.

Minimum 1 year's experience working with unhoused individuals, vulnerable individuals, and/or those in crisis.

Minimum 1 year's experience working with youth ages 18-24.

Knowledge, Skills, and Other Abilities

• Empathy due to the sensitive nature of our work
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to actively listen, engage diverse people, and build meaningful partnerships
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to deliver engaging presentations and facilitate workshops
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and survivor-centered approaches.
• Understanding of the dynamics and complexities of sex trafficking and its impact on survivors.
• Ability to provide crisis intervention, handle emergency situations, and prioritize safety.
• Knowledge of community resources, support services, and legal systems related to survivors of sex trafficking.
• Experience in case management, service planning, confidentiality, and coordination of care.
• Cultural competency and the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to deal with a high crisis volume environment, talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to deal with possible triggers with lived substance abuse experience, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.