Position Title:

Outreach Worker Department:

Violence Intervention & Prevention Services (VIPS) Reports to:

VPS Supervisor Location:

West Pullman About the

Program:

Violence Intervention & Prevention Services (VIPS) helps youth thrive in a safer environment and empowers them to fulfill their potential and become future leaders. Staff works in Chicago neighborhoods most impacted by poverty and violence, and in the community to engage individuals to prevent violence and respond to violence to help the community heal. VIPS reduces youth participation in crime and violence, addresses trauma, and improves academic engagement and employment.

Position Objective and Summary:

The outreach worker works with youth, aged 12-24, who face challenges and difficulties. The Coach identifies youth through community outreach and referrals from schools, juvenile justice, and community-based organizations in the North Lawndale community. Utilizing UCAN's Clinical Philosophy, The Coach facilitates healing through trauma informed services and Positive Youth Development and provides support and encouragement to participants for positive behavior, goal achievement, involvement in school and services, and leadership opportunities.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Mentoring and Supporting Participants Demonstrates supportive behavior and role models positive appropriate interactions.

Reaches out to resistant youth and successfully engages them in services.

Maintain contact with each participant on a weekly basis, at minimum.

Engages and works with youth to understand the importance of school performance and recommended services and supports youth to begin and continue with interventions.

Coordinates activities for program participants.

Possesses a basic understanding of the effects of trauma and operate from that perspective when interacting with youth and families.

Acts as a mandated reporter.

Works with participants on violence prevention skills (i.e., anger management, conflict resolution, and other life skills).Using a strengths-based approach, engages participants in strategies to improve participation in needed services.

Assists participants with setting and completing individual goals.

Assists participants with becoming involved in positive out-of-school time activities such as tutoring, counseling, employment, and recreation.

Works with UCAN Career Services, to assist participants in preparing for and locating jobs; coaches' participants in positive and productive workplace behavior.

Documents of service delivery to youth and client outcomes as outlined in program requirements. Community Relations Establish and maintain relationships with local service providers and faith institutions to enhance community relations and to strengthen referral sources for participants.

Attend community meetings (i.e., elected officials' meetings, beat meetings, community discussions) and serve as a representative of UCAN. Professionalism and Work Conduct Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN.Acts in a professional manner always and maintains appropriate boundaries with participants.

Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitment to others.

Reports to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled.

Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.

Accepts feedback and ideas from team and supervisor and is constructive when giving feedback and ideas to others.

Discusses alternative problem solving and is open to new ideas and ways of doing things. Professional Development Attends regular supervision, team meetings, required training, and other professional workshops to enhance job skills.

Sets annual developmental goals with supervisor to meet learning needs and interests, while also enhancing job performance and skills.

Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Education/Job Experience/Certifications:

BSW or BA/BS in a human service field. ORHigh school diploma/GED with a minimum of 2 years of experience in child welfare or youth development/outreach required.

Work Environment:

This position is in West Pullman area.