youth worker

case manager

counsel

employment specialist

program director

LifeWorks Austin

LifeWorks is a fantastic organization that is working tirelessly to end youth homelessness by 2020. They provide a continuum of services to best serve Austin's youth and families and they are collaborative across multiple agencies that are working toward the same goal within the city. Though this is a large task, it isn't impossible. 

The administration's open door policy encourages communication and collaboration. The agency's Executive Director is well-liked, respected among employees and staff, and is well-versed in the incredibly complicated web of tackling the issues surrounding youth homelessness, foster care, mental illness and more. 

Staff here are relaxed and friendly. The culture is one of support, understanding and continuous improvement. If you have a passion for improving your community alongside people who have made it their mission to do so, LifeWorks would be a great place to start or continue your career.

LifeWorks, once celebrated as a leading non-profit with a stellar reputation for impactful work, is now grappling with challenges that jeopardize its stability. For years, LifeWorks was a beacon in the non-profit sector, known for setting the standard in exceptional client success. Research consistently shows that positive client outcomes depend on robust staff support, yet recent shifts have overlooked this critical element. The organization's past success and reputation were built on this very principle. However, recent management changes, driven by individuals lacking youth-focused experience, have introduced troubling adjustments that threaten this foundation. If executive leadership allows these detrimental approaches to persist, the organization’s reputation may become irreparable, and the high turnover rate is likely to continue. 

It has been very gratifying working here. Management and coworkers are great people and there are opportunities to move around within the organization. There are three offices in Austin so you may have the option to work from more than one. 

One of the biggest perks is that I have a lot of independence and I work under minimal supervision- my supervisor knows I get my work done. 

Depending on the population you work with, things can get a bit chaotic, clients or parents can be uncooperative so that's frustrating sometimes, but these are the people we want to help, so it's imperative to be patient and persistent. 

Overall, I love the organization and it's going to be hard to leave whenever I do.

I loved my coworkers for the most part!! Really incredible people. However, LifeWorks culture is still rife with transphobia and there is zero accountability for it. When you first start out, it is incredibly encouraging to hear about how well you’ll be supported. However, you quickly realize how untrue it is. Program directors bow down to upper management so easily, and don’t actually do anything to support their employees. Direct supervisors (PSCs) are even worse because they are complacent in their job and only keep the job to pay off student loans. They allow PSCs to go after employees until they are eventually fired for whatever invalid reason, and directors don’t have the backbone to do what’s right. Oh, and diversity in leadership? Non-existent. 

Do not be deceived. The senior management at LifeWorks is highly deceptive, and they do not act in accordance with their "values." I have felt very discouraged and exploited by management. The work/life balance is awful. Management cares more about funding than clients or employees. The wage is unlivable for Austin, Texas. Many managers have been with the organization for years, making them complacent and resistant to feedback or change. There is high turnover and burnout amongst staff. Management is aggressive and retaliatory. The culture is insidiously toxic.

LifeWorks ensures ethical treatment of client and employees and maintains a good work culture for a difficult field of work. It provides the necessary means for self-care and support for its workers, which allows full capacity to serve clients. There are many departments so I do not know how they all do things, but I can definitely advocate for the counseling division and their client-centered approach, and that because of the supportive culture, the clients receive good service.

Lifeworks a company has been in my life since I can remember and I started to talk about this in one of my interviews in case management. I think that its a great company no matter how sick I am but it isn't just Lifeworks that's effected by the time spent revising time. There is more on my mind that I am thinking of every day that is included in what Lifeworks was than what is going on. I am really looking forward to everything that the future is as far as we're informed.

the organization supports a healthy work/life balance for its employees.  They are also committed to compensating employees fairly and being in line with the market salaries of those also doing similar work.  Management is supportive, and upholds an open door policy always.  The culture is that of supporting innovation, collaboration and ongoing training and advancement for all staff.

Overall a fun place to work - great camaraderie with coworkers. Can absolutely be stressful as with any case management job. 

The expectations from leadership about caseloads, quality of care, and documentation are unrealistic and can lead to burnout. The exec team seems to reward big ideas, no matter how poor the execution, from upper management.  A very act first, think later mentality. 

Great place for interns, new social workers and case managers. I believe leadership cares and they are always working collaboratively to improve the programs.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Youth worker 24 salaries reported	$23.35 per hour
Case manager 28 salaries reported	$26.05 per hour
Counsel 1 salary reported	$24.50 per hour
Employment specialist 18 salaries reported	$26.01 per hour
Program director 7 salaries reported	$82,807 per year

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