Job Type: Full Time

(email me if interested – seyman@casamarianella.org)

Our Mission:

Casa Marianella welcomes displaced immigrants and promotes self-sufficiency by providing shelter and support services.

Job Description: 

The Child Advocate will work with the staff at our family shelter (Abri Lumiere) to provide quality enrichment and programming for our kids as well as support to parents. At Abri Lumiere, all of our families have recently immigrated to the US. The staff help them navigate the city and the systems while communicating in Spanish, French, or Portuguese. The Child Advocate will screen newly arrived families for their children’s immediate needs. They will help them enroll in school or childcare programs and collaborate with the Medical Advocate to ensure the kids receive the necessary vaccines to start school. The Child Advocate will act as a liaison between the schools, childcares and families, accompany families to enrollment (this may include bussing or driving), and show parents how to communicate with their children’s teachers/schools. The Child Advocate will be available most afternoons to assist children with homework, reading, or crafts. If behavioral concerns arise, the Child Advocate will address them with the parent and offer appropriate resources. They will also offer to connect parents to parenting classes and other resources as needed. The Child Advocate will plan enrichment activities for the families including monthly parties with age appropriate games, outings with volunteers to museums, libraries, or parks, enrollment in summer camps, after school programs, mentorships, or other community programming. They will collaborate with our women’s shelter Child Advocate to enroll the kids in birthday programs and problem-solve other needs. The Child Advocate will also take shelter shifts where they maintain the functionality of the shelter and respond to clients’ needs.

Activities:

– ensure that the shelter is safe and functional during shifts

– answer the phone

– offer referrals

– perform screening and intake

– orient volunteers

– process and distribute donations

– answer emails

– help gather and distribute supplies

– ensure houses are adequately clean and trash is thrown away

– take trash to the curb

– distribute mail

– enforce shelter rules

– communicate with residents for reminders and questions

– meet twice a week with team members for Staff Meeting and Case Management Meeting

– maintain notes for team communication

– plan age appropriate activities for a monthly party

– collaborate with the Volunteer Coordinator to recruit volunteers and resources for the monthly party

– lead homework tutoring/interactive time with the children M-F after school for at least 1 hour

– screen families for kids’ needs during intake

– communicate and collaborate with the Women’s shelter Child Advocate for birthday parties, childcare suggestions, and problem-solving

– teach parents how to communicate with their child’s school, teacher, transportation and advocate when necessary

– collaborate with the Medical Advocate to ensure families receive a bus orientation to their first vaccine appointment

– help parents enroll kids in other resources (mental health, mentorships, summer camps, etc)

– create a safe and supportive space for children and bring up any concerns to the team/supervisor for problem-solving

– suggest trainings to equip the staff to support children and create a kid-friendly environment

– connect parents to parenting classes

– occasionally help with driving company vehicles for move-outs or furniture donations (if willing)

Qualifications:

Casa Marianella is a vibrant and diverse community of newly arrived immigrants from many countries. We value language access, flexibility, and awareness of the challenges immigrants face. To provide the best services, the Abri Lumiere Team Member must:

– be proficient in Spanish, French or Portuguese

– have experience and/or strong interest in working with immigrant communities

– be comfortable communicating with clients across different languages and cultures

– show adaptability and problem-solving skills

– demonstrate strong written and oral communication

– be able to prioritize tasks and work in a dynamic setting

– be able to work both independently and with a team

Pay and Benefits:

– $13.50/hr starting rate

– 2 weeks paid vacation per year

– 7 paid sick days per year

– Health Insurance

Schedule:

– flexible

– 40 hours per week split between the Family Shelter (Abri Lumiere), off-site outings with residents, and the option of a few hours of remote work

Schedule Details:

Weekly homework tutoring (between 4:30-5:30 M-Th with occasional art/interactive hour on Fridays)

1-2 evening shifts per week (closing at 9pm)

1-2 weekend shifts per month

occasional morning appointments

Other hours are filled in to cover staff shifts and client meetings based on availability any day between 9a-9p