About the Role

Under general supervision, the Crisis Services Facilitator provides crisis intervention and supportive services by responding to calls on the Crisis Helpline and offering shelter-specific assistance to residents at Sojourner House.

About YWCA West Central Michigan

Our mission is Eliminating Racism; Empowering Women and Girls; Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom, and Dignity for All. Where racism and sexism give rise to domestic and sexual violence, we help empower survivors with expert, comprehensive services: 24-hour confidential helpline, safety planning, legal help, domestic violence emergency shelter and supportive housing, medical-forensic examinations, counseling and support groups for victims; supervised parenting time and safe custody exchange. We seek to reflect the diverse community it serves and be a welcoming, inclusive space for all. Applicants from diverse experiences, backgrounds, and identities are encouraged to apply.

Salary Range - $16.50 an hour to start, $17.99 an hour if bilingual in Spanish

The YWCA West Central Michigan, an organization committed to eliminating racism, empowering women and girls, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all, is looking for a part-time Crisis Services Facilitator. This position is 11pm-7am every Friday and Saturday.

The YWCA is known statewide for, and prides itself on, excellence, cultural and professional competence, exemplary victim-focused care, a shared commitment to doing what needs to be done to mitigate the impact of domestic and sexual violence, and to address the intersectionality of racism and interpersonal violence. We are smart. We bring our best game every day. We have high expectations. We work hard because the work matters. We take care of one another. We respect one another. We constantly improve ourselves, individually and collectively.

We are fortunate to have a corps of committed and passionate staff and volunteers dedicated to working together to achieve positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve. We want to create an environment where people come not only to work, but to learn and connect in support of a shared mission. We need a highly organized, energetic, skilled person with a heart for collaboration to support this work.

Schedule

This position's hours will be every Friday and Saturday 11pm-7am.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides crisis intervention, information, support and referral to victims calling the crisis telephone line at Sojourner House, completing an assessment if necessary.

• Provides emergency evening and weekend client service intakes.

• Orients new clients to Sojourner House.

• Documents resident interaction on Biz Stream

• Maintains data collection as required for resident/staff interaction

• May be asked to help train new staff/interns.

• Performs safety checks, ensuring house safety.

• Facilitates community meetings to determine the needs of the residents, and weekly support groups, as  needed.

• Performs tasks such as sorting donations, cleaning, and laundering as assigned.

• Attends staff and supervision meetings as required.

• Shifts include some evenings, possible weekends, and holidays throughout the year.

• Performs other duties as assigned by Senior Director of Residential Services

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• High school diploma.  Additional experience in human or social services, particularly with regard to knowledge of domestic violence and sexual assault is preferred. 

• Knowledge of the facts and dynamics of domestic violence and sexual abuse or learned within the first 60 days of hire.

• Active listening, crisis intervention, and problem resolution skills.

• Conflict resolution training.

• Knowledge of community human service resources.

• Good written and excellent oral communication skills.

• Ability to concentrate for extended periods of time on crisis telephone calls, client assessments, and related documentation.

• Ability to communicate with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

• Demonstrated commitment to the empowerment of women and promotion of diversity.

• Must be able to enter and retrieve data using computer systems, systems applications, and other office equipment.

• Ability to manage multiple crisis situations while maintaining an even temperament that will allow for quick decision making.

• Ability to be qualified as an approved driver for the YWCA.

• Physically able to:  climb, walk, stand, push, pull, lift, grasp, talk, hear, see, and type. 

• Light work involving sitting most of the time and exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and up to 10 pounds of force frequently for purposes of lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or otherwise moving objects. 

• Visual acuity is required to perform duties involving operating motor vehicles, or performing tasks involving analysis of data, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading, or making general observations of facilities and/or surroundings.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Working environment is considered unpredictable, based upon the high level of client stress and the safety needs of residents and staff.

• Conditions are subject to occasional exposure to agitated or threatening individuals.  

• Irregular work hours may exist, including early morning, evening, weekends, and holidays.

• Office conditions exist within a heavy traffic area, subject to significant telephone and face-to-face interaction

To apply please email your resume and cover letter to Dr. Nikia Belcher, VP of Crisis Services and Community Partnerships, nbelcher@ywcawcmi.org. Be sure to clearly and specifically outline how your experience will help make this position successful. Accepting applications until the position is filled.

About the Role

This position provides trauma-informed crisis intervention and advocacy services to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. While the primary responsibility is to respond to all referrals from the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD), the advocate will also support survivors referred through other YWCA programs, community partners, and walk-ins. This role requires regular evening availability and active participation on the community’s High-Risk Team (HRT) to support survivors at an increased risk of ongoing harm.

About YWCA West Central Michigan

Our mission is Eliminating Racism; Empowering Women and Girls; Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom, and Dignity for All. Where racism and sexism give rise to domestic and sexual violence, we help empower survivors with expert, comprehensive services: 24-hour confidential helpline, safety planning, legal help, domestic violence emergency shelter and supportive housing, medical-forensic examinations, counseling and support groups for victims; supervised parenting time and safe custody exchange. We seek to reflect the diverse community it serves and be a welcoming, inclusive space for all. Applicants from diverse experiences, backgrounds, and identities are encouraged to apply.

Salary Range - $16.50 an hour to start, $17.99 an hour if bilingual in Spanish

The YWCA West Central Michigan, an organization committed to eliminating racism, empowering women and girls, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all, is looking for a Full-Time High Risk Team Advocate.

The YWCA is known statewide for, and prides itself on, excellence, cultural and professional competence, exemplary victim-focused care, a shared commitment to doing what needs to be done to mitigate the impact of domestic and sexual violence, and to address the intersectionality of racism and interpersonal violence. We are smart. We bring our best game every day. We have high expectations. We work hard because the work matters. We take care of one another. We respect one another. We constantly improve ourselves, individually and collectively.

We are fortunate to have a corps of committed and passionate staff and volunteers dedicated to working together to achieve positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve. We want to create an environment where people come not only to work, but to learn and connect in support of a shared mission. We need a highly organized, energetic, skilled person with a heart for collaboration to support this work.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide advocacy sessions for sexual assault and intimate partner violence survivors (in the form of direct crisis intervention sessions, forensic examination advocacy, telephone contact, community advocacy, follow-up and support group facilitation as needed).

• Respond to survivors in the community following GRPD referrals, offering appropriate support, safety planning, and connections to services.

• Participate as a member of community committees including but not limited to the High-Risk Team (HRT), engaging in coordinated response efforts with community partners to support survivors at high risk of continued or escalating violence.

• Provide evening coverage as part of a regularly scheduled rotation to ensure timely response to GRPD referrals and support survivor needs outside regular business hours.

• Serve as backup to sexual assault volunteer advocates and act as on-call advocate when a volunteer is unavailable. This includes answering the YWCA Helpline and responding to Nurse Examiner Program (NEP) examinations (up to ten 12-hour shifts per month).

• Maintain timely and accurate documentation and case records in compliance with grant and program standards.

• Support data management and reporting functions for the Nurse Examiner and Crisis Advocacy programs, as needed.

• Maintain collaborative relationships with law enforcement, medical professionals, court personnel, and other community service providers to support client needs and program goals.

• Assist with training and consultation for interns and volunteers involved in crisis intervention and support groups, as assigned.

• Attend and actively participate in team meetings, case consultations, supervision, and agency-wide staff meetings.

• Performs community outreach and engagement that may include training and presentations.

• Coordinate transportation to YWCA emergency shelter and meet client to provide a smooth transition when needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or a related field is preferred; however, relevant experience may be considered in place of formal education.

• Strong active listening and crisis intervention skills.

• Must meet qualifications to be an approved driver for the YWCA.

• Physically able to: reach, pull, lift, grasp, talk, hear, see, and type.

• Knowledge of the dynamics of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and child sexual abuse is preferred.

• Experience in crisis intervention and understanding of group and family dynamics.

• Familiarity with community resources and the criminal justice system.

• Ability to assess and respond to surroundings to perform duties effectively.

• Ability to communicate with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency in using computer systems, applications, and office equipment for data entry and retrieval.

• Ability to work independently with flexibility, integrity, and professionalism. Must be able to engage effectively with clients, staff, and partner agencies, including individuals who may be disabled, elderly, emotionally distressed, or occasionally hostile.

• Access to and willingness to use personal transportation for business purposes (mileage reimbursement provided per policy).

• Ability to concentrate for extended periods while reviewing case materials, official documents, and statistical reports.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical office environment.

• Occasional exposure to challenging conditions due to clients’ physical or emotional states or their social/family environments. • Potential exposure to agitated or threatening individuals.

• Irregular work hours may be required, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

To apply please email your resume and cover letter to Fallon Lee, Senior Director of Crisis Intervention Services, fal.lee@ywcawcmi.org. Be sure to clearly and specifically outline how your experience will help make this position successful. Accepting applications until the position is filled.