Starting Over serves Southern California's most vulnerable populations by addressing homelessness, recidivism, and reentry. We help people transition from homelessness and the often associated cycles of poverty, substance abuse, family separation, mental illness, and recidivism. The Family, Reunification, Equity, Empowerment (FREE) Project addresses systemic barriers that prevent people with criminal convictions from gaining child custody, foster care provider and adoption approval, and family reunification services.

The Assistant will assist with providing direct services and policy work in order to reduce the number of children in foster care and the number of children placed in non-family households while holding the system accountable for the disproportionate harm to black and indigenous families. This position is temporary and part-time, with an anticipated 20-30 hours per week for 3-6 months, with the possibility of extension.

Flexible schedule required:

Work evening and weekend events as needed. The FREE Project aassistant is ideally a highly organized, versatile, and self-motivated individual who will: Deliver administrative, programmatic, outreach, and logistical support for F.R.E.E. Hub activities Collaborate with impacted families, community members, volunteers, and partners, Coordinate outreach, participantengagement, resources, documentation, and events Ensure programs remain organized, accessible, and centered on family preservation, reunification, due process, well-being, and community empowerment

General Duties:

Assist in supporting families and communities to navigate the process. Conduct outreach and bringing the FREE Project to communities across the region. Educating community as to the historical and current aspects of the Child Welfare System. Provide Family Support through Participatory Defense Hub meetings, focused specifically on the Dependency Court process. Challenge the dominant narrative as it relates to formerly incarcerated people and our ability to love and care for children by lifting our own voices.

Job Qualifications:

Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances and work on fast-paced campaigns with multiple moving pieces. Ability to work collaboratively with individuals and organizations from diverse racial, ethnic, ideological, and religious backgrounds. Familiarity with criminal justice reform and Child Protective Services or the ability to quickly acquire relevant knowledge. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Superb organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to meet tight deadlines. Initiative and results-oriented. Creative, self-starting, willing to learn, and driven to achieve results. Passion for social justice. Strong commitment to ending mass incarceration and advancing racial justice.

Preferred Skills:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to think critically . Competent with email, Gmail suite, and data entry. Strong leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire others. Proficient in coordinating tasks and activities. Effective time management skills to meet deadlines and coordinate activities appropriately. We are a Fair Chance employer. Formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted individuals are especially encouraged to apply.

Pay:

$21.50 - $24.00 per hour Expected hours: 20.0 - 30.0 per week People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Riverside, CA