There are seven positions at the Shelter, each one serves 3 days/week as a case manager for the guests and helps oversee the daily operations of the Shelter. Case management involves meeting with shelter guests to help discover the causes of homelessness and connecting them to resources in the community to help them transition to self-sufficiency. Daily operations include, ensuring guests complete chores, preparing and serving meals, overseeing volunteers who come to help cook meals, making showers and hygiene supplies available to guests and community members. This is a unique shelter in that guests do not have to leave in the morning and come back in the evening. It is open all day and has a very "homey" feel to it. It is also unique in that guests are only allowed 30 night stays each year, most shelters do not have a limit. Our guests are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to make significant forward progress while having their immediate needs met.
The other 2 days/week at the Outreach Homeless Prevention Program.
Service Activities
Case Management Responsibilities:
- Lead new guests through intake process
- Conduct initial interview with guests to evaluate their needs
- Connect guest to medical, mental health, housing, education, transportation, and employment resources
Shelter Management Responsibilities:
- Resolve conflicts between guests & community members
- Collaborate with community volunteers and workgroups to plan and prepare meals
- Fulfill guest immediate needs by preparing and serving meals, and aiding their hygiene needs
Outreach Responsiblities:
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Treat everyone who comes into the Outreach office with respect and understanding
• Supply clients with necessary resources and assistance
• Document and record provided assistance and client progress
• Determine client eligibility for utility assistance for San Luis Valley residents
• Network with utility vendors such as Xcel Energy Representatives, and maintain a good rapport with EOC contacts in Denver.
• Know organization requirements to meet the needs of clients who are requesting assistance from Friends of Man for dental, vision, hearing, and mobility needs
• Oversee and maintain Crisis Intervention funds to provide prescription assistance, medical gas vouchers, and identifications for clients
• Be knowledgeable of all grant information for each funding source
• Be knowledgeable of all paperwork necessary to complete rental assistance
• Complete all paperwork according to each individual grant guideline, and document all case management services provided to clients.
• Act as a supportive liaison for the other departments within Outreach as needed due to the variety of grants Outreach administrates
• Coordinate, advertise, and facilitate the School Back Pack Drive
• Coordinate and host the La Puente Community Christmas Party
Other Responsibilities:
- Participate in training and enrichment activities including: site-specific training, trainings relevant to rural hunger, poverty, homelessness, and educational barriers; reading assignments, community nights, retreats, and other activities, trainings, or events that are applicable to the service year.
- Other allowable activities that contribute to the purpose of the position such as new programming, trainings, or client services.
Community Need Addressed
Across the 9 counties of The San Luis Valley, 18% of students will not graduate from high school. The needs of students to not only graduate from high school, but also become successful adults, exceed basic academic and tutoring support. Students need a stable roof over their heads and nutritious food on their tables. They need emotional support and encouragement. They need healthy behaviors and relationships modeled for them by adults and peers. The rates of child poverty are higher in all 9 counties than across the Nation and higher in 8 out of 9 counties compared to Colorado’s average. While poverty does not always beget children of high need, poverty is strongly correlated with homelessness, physical and emotional abuse, inadequate parenting, and educational neglect. Children who experience these issues are much more likely to drop out of school, become pregnant, become victims or perpetrators of domestic violence, become addicted to substances, and become homeless as adults.
This position is mainly focused on serving homeless families by connecting them to community resources such as medical, mental health, education, and employment resources. AmeriCorps Homeless Family Advocates also provide an intensive intake processes to assess the needs of each individual and family and assist them in creating and achieving realistic goals for a self-sustainable future.
Position Outcomes
With this position we hope to help clients to get back on their feet and become self-sustainable.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment