Economic and Housing Advocate
Elizabeth Freeman Center
43 Francis Avenue
PITTSFIELD, MA 01201
Website: elizabethfreemancenter.org/
43 Francis Avenue
PITTSFIELD, MA 01201
Website: elizabethfreemancenter.org/
Company Description:
Elizabeth Freeman Center provides domestic
violence and sexual assault services and
advocacy in Berkshire County and surrounding
areas. Our services are free and confidential,
and include counseling, safe shelter, court
advocacy, a 24/7 toll-free hotline, and much
more. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Employer.
Economic and Housing Advocate
$20.00 Per Hour
Full Time
Human Services
Associate Degree
Preferred
Preferred
Elizabeth Freeman Center (EFC) seeks a tenacious Economic and Housing Advocate to help survivors of domestic and sexual violence build safety and economic independence.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Help survivors build safety and economic independence through intensive specialized supports and financial advocacy (income and resource maximization, housing stability, preservation of homes and securing new safe homes, career development, continuing education, etc.)
• Connect participants with community resources (legal aid, RAFT, HomeBASE, LIHEAP, SSI, SSDI, PASS program, TAFDC, SNAP, local funds, etc.)
• With housing team, oversee use of housing stabilization funds in paying arrearages, relocation expenses, safety features, short-term rental subsidies and other necessary expenses; ensure that all other available resources are accessed first to maximize the impact of these funds
• Develop expertise and strong networks with anti-poverty and housing coalitions and groups
• Provide in-house back-up to other EFC staff to explore more long-term strategies to avert crisis
• Help facilitate EFC’s financial independence initiative series, Money School, in north and south county; provide ongoing individual wraparound support and financial advocacy to Money School participants -advocating on issues of housing, benefits, income maximization, children, education, mental health and medical access, and more
• Contribute to outreach and collaboration efforts, including: liaising with community partners, disseminating program outreach materials, and tabling at community events
• Attend programmatic meetings and trainings, maintain professional boundaries with individuals receiving EFC services, maintain excellent records in agency database, and adhere to strict guidelines to ensure client confidentiality
• Complete all other duties to further EFC’s mission and to ensure that survivors are safe and are provided with professional, empathetic, affirming services within the context of the agency’s mission and consistent with grant and legal requirements
Work Hours:
40 hours per week. Some evening and weekend work for outreach and advocacy activities.
Compensation and benefits:
Elizabeth Freeman Center is committed to working for economic and social justice for staff as well as clients and believes in offering all staff competitive salary and benefits, engaged and dedicated colleagues, training and education in best practices, career development opportunities, openness to innovation, and the opportunity and resources to do meaningful, impactful work. This position begins at $20.00 per hour with a year-end stipend and hourly increments for Spanish and other frequently used languages, special skills and education. EFC pays 85% of health insurance premiums and contributes to an FSA. We have generous paid leave as well as other benefits.
Applying:
To apply, please send cover letter and resume to jobs@elizabethfreemancenter.org. Deadlines are rolling until position has been filled.
EFC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Survivors of domestic or sexual violence, people of color, people with disabilities, people who are bilingual/bicultural, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Help survivors build safety and economic independence through intensive specialized supports and financial advocacy (income and resource maximization, housing stability, preservation of homes and securing new safe homes, career development, continuing education, etc.)
• Connect participants with community resources (legal aid, RAFT, HomeBASE, LIHEAP, SSI, SSDI, PASS program, TAFDC, SNAP, local funds, etc.)
• With housing team, oversee use of housing stabilization funds in paying arrearages, relocation expenses, safety features, short-term rental subsidies and other necessary expenses; ensure that all other available resources are accessed first to maximize the impact of these funds
• Develop expertise and strong networks with anti-poverty and housing coalitions and groups
• Provide in-house back-up to other EFC staff to explore more long-term strategies to avert crisis
• Help facilitate EFC’s financial independence initiative series, Money School, in north and south county; provide ongoing individual wraparound support and financial advocacy to Money School participants -advocating on issues of housing, benefits, income maximization, children, education, mental health and medical access, and more
• Contribute to outreach and collaboration efforts, including: liaising with community partners, disseminating program outreach materials, and tabling at community events
• Attend programmatic meetings and trainings, maintain professional boundaries with individuals receiving EFC services, maintain excellent records in agency database, and adhere to strict guidelines to ensure client confidentiality
• Complete all other duties to further EFC’s mission and to ensure that survivors are safe and are provided with professional, empathetic, affirming services within the context of the agency’s mission and consistent with grant and legal requirements
Work Hours:
40 hours per week. Some evening and weekend work for outreach and advocacy activities.
Compensation and benefits:
Elizabeth Freeman Center is committed to working for economic and social justice for staff as well as clients and believes in offering all staff competitive salary and benefits, engaged and dedicated colleagues, training and education in best practices, career development opportunities, openness to innovation, and the opportunity and resources to do meaningful, impactful work. This position begins at $20.00 per hour with a year-end stipend and hourly increments for Spanish and other frequently used languages, special skills and education. EFC pays 85% of health insurance premiums and contributes to an FSA. We have generous paid leave as well as other benefits.
Applying:
To apply, please send cover letter and resume to jobs@elizabethfreemancenter.org. Deadlines are rolling until position has been filled.
EFC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Survivors of domestic or sexual violence, people of color, people with disabilities, people who are bilingual/bicultural, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.
Preferred qualifications:
• Demonstrated commitment to economic justice for survivors, including combatting economic victim blaming and understanding the ways violence contributes to poverty and homelessness
• Fierce advocacy skills
• Demonstrated commitment to providing survivors of domestic and sexual violence with holistic, accessible, trauma-informed, strength-based victim services and advocacy
• Demonstrated commitment to providing affirming, culturally relevant services to marginalized survivors (including survivors who are limited English proficient, LGBTQ, of color, rural, immigrants, and/or living with disabilities)
• Experience working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred
• Ability to work well as part of a team
• Ability to work effectively with community groups
• Effective written and spoken communication, and proficient computer skills
• Bachelor or Associate Degree (may be waived for relevant, comparable level of work or life experience)
• Must successfully pass Criminal Record Check-CORI and have valid Massachusetts driver’s
license and reliable transportation.
• Demonstrated commitment to economic justice for survivors, including combatting economic victim blaming and understanding the ways violence contributes to poverty and homelessness
• Fierce advocacy skills
• Demonstrated commitment to providing survivors of domestic and sexual violence with holistic, accessible, trauma-informed, strength-based victim services and advocacy
• Demonstrated commitment to providing affirming, culturally relevant services to marginalized survivors (including survivors who are limited English proficient, LGBTQ, of color, rural, immigrants, and/or living with disabilities)
• Experience working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred
• Ability to work well as part of a team
• Ability to work effectively with community groups
• Effective written and spoken communication, and proficient computer skills
• Bachelor or Associate Degree (may be waived for relevant, comparable level of work or life experience)
• Must successfully pass Criminal Record Check-CORI and have valid Massachusetts driver’s
license and reliable transportation.
