AmeriCorps - BrigAIDe Street Outreach

TITLE: AmeriCorps - BrigAIDe Street Outreach

DEPARTMENT: Outreach & Prevention Services

REPORTS TO: Manager Brigaide Mobile Outreach

JOB FUNCTIONS: AmeriCorps System Navigators build relationships with homeless neighbors, provide advocacy and resources, and connect people to services and housing. AmeriCorps is like the domestic version of the Peace Corps; Members serve the community for one year through direct service activities.
AmeriCorps members gain valuable experience in crisis intervention, outreach, advocacy, trauma informed practices, case management, customer service, data collection, resource development, program planning and partnership coordination.

Service Term: May 27th ,2024 to July 31, 2024

Days/Hours: This position is 40 hours/week. These may be early morning, day, and evening hours, including some weekend hours. Members are required to serve for a minimum of 300 or 450 hours throughout the program year.

Member Duties

• Visit communities and canvas neighborhoods to build relationships with individuals who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
• Administer assessments and use tools to determine the needs of individuals.
• Provide individuals with information and referrals to community resources for housing, employment, health (physical, behavioral, and mental), food, transportation, etc.; Provide follow up support as needed to ensure linkage.
• Distribute basic needs supplies such as clothing, hygiene supplies, food, drink, blankets, etc. to those in need.
• Assist clients in applying for public benefits (SNAP, etc.) and preparing SSI/SSDI applications.
• Maintain linkages with community agencies as a means to coordinate service delivery.
• Complete data entry into HMIS and/or other data systems within the required timeframes, maintaining up to date records on all services and client files.
• Participate in trainings, attend community meetings and workshops, and implement best practices on street outreach.

Benefits:

• Bi-Weekly stipend of $1,000 (gross before taxes)
• Housing Stipend of $700 a month (gross before taxes)
• Education award of $1,565.08 or $1,956.35 provided upon successful completion of service.
• Health insurance - premium paid in full by Metropolitan Ministries
• Daily meals available at no cost to member
• Forbearance on qualified student loans and interest accrual payments while serving (taxable)
• Childcare assistance (if qualified)
• Since the AmeriCorps living allowance is not considered a wage or income, many AmeriCorps Members are eligible to receive SNAP benefits, or food stamps
• Professional development and training opportunities, including CPR/First Aid Certification, Mental Health First Aid, Trauma Informed Care, Compassion Fatigue, De-Escalation, Disability Awareness, Diversity and Inclusion, Data Collection and Disaster Preparedness
• AmeriCorps Members will gain leadership experience, knowledge of and sensitivity to issues facing the community, familiarity with community resources and services, and the ability to network and partner with community agencies.
• Internship hours (many members can use their AmeriCorps service as an internship, but this depends on the requirements of each Member's school/program)
• AmeriCorps service gear (must be worn every day)

• Living Allowance: $1,000 bi-weekly, Gross before taxes
• Housing Stipend: $700 a month (gross before taxes)
• Education Award: $1,565.08 or $1,956.35 -- to be paid at successful completion of Service Year
• Estimated Health Insurance Cost: $1,083.34 -- Savings to AmeriCorps Members. To be paid by Metropolitan Ministries.

*The education award can be used to repay qualified student loans or to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs.

Position Requirements and Specifications:

• Associate degree in related field (human services, social work, mental health counseling, public health, sociology, public administration, etc.) or equivalent work experience.
• Requires understanding of poverty, a high degree of maturity, strong inter-personal skills and the ability to work and communicate with low socio-economic and diverse participants in a professional and diplomatic manner.
• A non-judgmental, empathetic, caring individual with the ability to listen well and to demonstrate confidentiality and respect for clients of all ethnic, religious and socio-economic groups.
• Bi-lingual preferred, but not required.
• Reliable transportation required. Members will be required to travel within the community and to and from service sites. Teams will carpool from campus to outreach sites in company vehicles.
• Mileage reimbursement will be provided to members that use their personal vehicle traveling from the campus to and from outreach sites from campus.
• Be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or a Lawful Permanent Resident Alien
• Be able to successfully pass a criminal background check

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to meet individuals experiencing homelessness where they are, through "boots on the ground" street outreach, in camp sites, and established outreach sites.
• Able to be on feet and mobile up to 8 hours per day.
• Able to lift 50 lbs. sometimes and 20 lbs. often

To learn more about The BrigAIDe, please click on the video links below: