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ABOUT US: - We believe that everyone deserves a home!
Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.
But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home.
The Consumer Advocate, Outreach, builds a relationship with clients utilizing motivational interviewing to encourage clients to work towards self-identified housing, health, and other goals. The Consumer Advocate spends most of the shift in the field using public transportation and/or on foot conducting street outreach, accompanying clients to appointments, and following up on service referrals. The Consumer Advocate conducts assessments, engages clients in self-directed service planning, and enters all required data into required databases.
This is a part-time position, approximately 15-20 hours per week. This position will work fully onsite at a program site/in the field.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Engage with identified persons currently experiencing homelessness and living with chronic medical conditions in BOROUGH
- Draw on lived experience of homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues to build rapport with clients and develop appropriate service connections
- Conduct required assessments
- Attend clinical supervision and training
- Maintain record keeping in compliance with agency standards as well as those of City and State agencies
- Collaborate with Parks Dept., NYPD, DSNY, MTA, and other agencies
- Accompany clients to appointments and follow up on service referrals
- Perform other duties as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- High School diploma or equivalent required
- Minimum 2 years of related experience
- Lived experience with homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues, and willingness to appropriately use lived experience as a tool for building client rapport and developing service connection preferred
- Knowledge of local benefit agencies (e.g., Public Assistance) and familiarity with substance abuse, mental health, immigration, and employment resources
- Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams
- Valid NY, NJ, CT, or PA driver’s license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground, is a condition of employment
- Bilingual preferred
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