POSITION SUMMARY

Provides crisis intervention and supportive services at Sojourner House, the short-term emergency shelter for those fleeing domestic violence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides crisis intervention, information, support and referral to victims calling the crisis telephone line.

• Provides emergency client service intakes.

• Orients new clients to Sojourner House and its policies; enforces Sojourner House policies.

• Documents resident interaction on Biz Stream.

• Maintains data collection as required for resident/staff interaction.

• Performs safety checks, ensuring house safety.

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

• Attends staff and supervision meetings as required.

• Shifts include some weekends, and holidays throughout the year, and on occasion evenings to cover sick call-ins and vacations.

• 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.

The YWCA West Central Michigan is a equal opportunity employer.

Pay: $19.25 per hour

Click top apply: https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=d44b9f3cbcf8d043&from=shareddesktop_copy

POSITION SUMMARY

The Specialized Family Advocate provides targeted, individualized support to survivor families experiencing domestic abuse and housing instability, ensuring that their children’s educational and developmental needs are sustained through periods of crisis, mobility, and transition.

This role centers on school stability as a cornerstone of family healing. The Advocate works with parents to navigate education systems, advocate for accommodation, and plan for continuity in care and learning. Drawing on training in vocational rehabilitation counseling, the Advocate also helps parents set achievable goals, rebuild vocational confidence, and align educational and career progress toward long-term family stability.

This position works as part of the shelter services, alongside Family Advocates and Facilitator Services, to coordinate comprehensive services addressing family safety, housing, emotional well-being, and growth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

· Support survivor parents in ensuring children remain in their original or neighborhood schools when safety allows.

· Coordinate transitions when relocation is unavoidable, including records transfer, enrollment, transportation, and communication with school districts.

· Collaborate with McKinney-Vento liaisons, special education staff, preschool and early learning providers, and district administrative teams to reduce barriers to attendance and academic support.

· Support parents in accessing IEP services, tutoring, and trauma-informed behavioral interventions.

· Provide education on family and student rights under McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, IDEA, and Section 504.

· Integrate school routines with safety plans to help maintain consistency and predictability for children.

Parent Empowerment & Vocational Integration

· Apply principles of vocational rehabilitation counseling to help parents identify personal and vocational strengths, enhance self-efficacy, and rebuild stability through individualized goal setting.

· Partner with parents to create family empowerment plans that connect children’s educational progress with the caregiver’s own recovery, skill development, and employment goals.

· Collaborate with YWCA Economic Empowerment Programs and external workforce partners to help survivor parents access training, credentialing, and sustainable employment outside systems of abuse.

· Use a trauma-informed, empowerment model to help parents regain confidence in advocating for themselves and their children.

Team Collaboration & Wraparound Support

· Serve as a member of the crisis services and community programs coordinating with advocates, housing advocates, and clinical support staff to provide seamless services for each family.

· Participate in case conferencing, school meetings, and inter agency collaboration to align educational advocacy with safety planning and mental health support.

· Maintain detailed client case notes and contribute to data collection, reporting, and funding documentation requirements.

· Support the YWCA’s integrated approach to survivor-centered, intersectional service delivery.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

· Master’s degree in vocationalRehabilitation Counseling, Counseling, Social Work, Education, or a related human services field is required.

· Experience providing trauma-informed services to survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or homelessness.

· Knowledge of educational systems, special education processes, and state/federal student protections.

· Demonstrated ability to engage families using strength-based and empowerment principles.

· Skill in motivational interviewing, systems navigation, and program coordination.

· Excellent communication and collaboration skills across diverse settings.

· Commitment to the YWCA’s mission and values, including racial equity, gender justice, and empowerment.

Core Competencies

· Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Practice

· Vocational and Educational Counseling Integration

· Educational Advocacy & School Navigation

· Parent Empowerment & Goal Setting

· Cross-System Collaboration and Case Coordination

· Ethical Practice and Confidentiality

Working Conditions

· Combination of office and community-based work.

· Flexible scheduling may be required to attend school or community meetings.

· Local travel required within Kent County (reimbursement per agency policy).

Pay: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

To apply: Specialized Family Advocate - Grand Rapids, MI 49503 - Indeed.com

POSITION SUMMARY

This position offers critical crisis intervention and emotional support to survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence, while connecting them with vital resources such as housing, legal assistance, and counseling services. It also leads educational workshops, facilitates support groups, and promotes awareness of systemic issues including racism, gender-based violence, and poverty. Through strategic community partnerships and advocacy efforts, this role fosters meaningful change and strengthens support networks for those affected.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

· 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.

· Active listening and crisis intervention skills.

· Experience in crisis intervention and knowledge of group and family dynamics.

· Knowledge of community resources and the criminal justice system.

· Ability to evaluate and respond to surroundings is required to perform duties.

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

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

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

· Ability to concentrate for extended periods of time reviewing case materials, official documents, and

statistical reports.

· Must be able to enter and retrieve data using computer systems, systems applications, and other office

equipment.

· Knowledge of the facts and dynamics of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and child sexual

· abuse preferred.

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

· Ability to be an approved driver for the YWCA preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

· Work environment includes typical office setting and occasional work in the community.

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

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

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.25 - $20.00 per hour

To apply: https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=14dea22ad12498dd&from=shareddesktop_copy