Work Schedule: 08:00am - 04:00pm
Franciscan Outreach is a leading provider of homeless services in Chicago. We operate as a system of support for those who are marginalized and experiencing homelessness.
In our efforts to meet individuals where they are and to promote effective pathways out of homelessness, we utilize diversion and outmigration strategies:
Diversion: We work proactively with individuals at the earliest point of contact to identify immediate solutions that prevent entry into shelter or homelessness. This includes connecting clients to resources, benefits, and community supports that can address their needs without requiring shelter entry, thereby reducing the shelter system's load and promoting stability.
Outmigration: We support individuals in transitioning out of shelter and into permanent housing or alternative supportive arrangements. Our goal is to facilitate timely and sustainable moves to stable housing, reducing the likelihood of return to homelessness and promoting long-term stability.
The Resource Specialist is responsible for assisting homeless individuals with placement into shelter, diversion, outmigration pathways, and support for those seeking asylum. This role requires compassion and understanding of the diverse needs of the homeless population, including individuals hesitant to enter shelter, those pursuing alternative housing solutions, and individuals seeking asylum or legal protection. The Resource Specialist will support clients by providing resources, guidance, and connecting them to appropriate shelter, diversion options, or permanent housing solutions. They will also assist individuals seeking asylum by providing information, advocacy, and connecting them to legal and community resources.
We are committed to creating a caring, safe, and supportive community that embraces and uplifts everyone, especially our most vulnerable neighbors.
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Engage with homeless individuals to meet their needs via outreach, intake, assessment, goal setting, referral, and followup
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Assist homeless individuals with understanding SPARC policies
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Provide support to help guests make informed decisions about shelter entry, diversion options, or outmigration pathways.
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Conduct an assessment to identify challenges, barriers, and specific needs, such as seeking asylum or legal support.
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Connect guests with resources including legal services, immigration assistance, housing programs, health services, and community supports.
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Support individuals seeking asylum by providing information, advocacy, and referrals to legal and immigration resources.
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Coordinate with shelters, community partners, and legal agencies as needed (including 311 and other services).
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Develop, monitor, and complete service plans and goals with guests, motivating and encouraging guests to complete service plans and achieve their goals
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Facilitate diversion efforts by working proactively to identify solutions that prevent shelter entry or facilitate timely outmigration into permanent housing.
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Support outmigration efforts by assisting guests in transitioning from the access point to permanent or supportive housing.
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Provide traumainformed, culturally sensitive services, especially for individuals seeking asylum or facing complex barriers
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Utilize motivational interviewing and harm reduction strategies to support the movement toward housing stability, increased skills and income, improved health, and achievement of personal goals
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Maintain accurate documentation and data entry related to all services provided.
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Participate in group and/or individual supervision and staff meetings
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Participate in training and staff development opportunities
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Create a positive, welcoming, safe atmosphere for guests experiencing homelessness, particularly by providing traumainformed services using a harm reduction philosophy
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Various relevant tasks, such as research on community resources and attending provider groups, accompanying guests to the shelter, and any other related duties as assigned
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40hour work week
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Other duties as assigned
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Strong empathy and cultural competence to effectively serve diverse populations, including individuals seeking asylum and those with complex barriers.
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Strong interest in and ability to work closely and respectfully with guests who have experienced homelessness and may be dealing with mental health symptoms, substance use disorders, trauma, physical disabilities, health conditions, etc.
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Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of guests in crisis
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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build trust and rapport with guests, volunteers, and partner organizations.
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Ability to demonstrate sensitivity and traumainformed care when working with individuals experiencing crisis, trauma, or legal issues related to immigration.
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Knowledge of diversion and outmigration strategies and the capacity to implement these approaches effectively.
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Familiarity with immigration processes, asylum procedures, and legal resources is preferred.
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Ability to assess client needs comprehensively, including legal, housing, health, and social supports.
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Selfdirected with the ability to work independently and manage caseloads efficiently.
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Strong organizational skills, including documentation and data management.
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Ability to work from a Harm Reduction perspective and provide TraumaInformed Care
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Ability to utilize motivational interviewing and harm reduction strategies to facilitate client engagement and achievement of goals.
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Ability to develop and maintain appropriate boundaries, including maintaining confidentiality
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Ability to develop appropriate professional relationships with staff from a wide variety of races, religions, cultures, ages, educational backgrounds, sexual orientations, and identified genders
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Able to work as a positive, supportive team member
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Strong oral and written communication skills
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Able to gather information from a variety of sources
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Proficiency in using Windowsbased applications, client databases (i.e.HMIS), and other technology tools.
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Ability to consistently maintain required documentation
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Flexibility and adaptability to respond to changing client needs and organizational priorities.
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Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including legal professionals, community agencies, and government partners.
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Ability to advocate effectively for clients’ needs and navigate complex systems on their behalf.
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Commitment to confidentiality, ethical standards, and organizational policies.
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Selfdirected and comfortable working independently, without constant direct supervision, and with a team.
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Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with volunteers, staff, partner organizations, guests, etc.
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Ability to develop and maintain appropriate boundaries.
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Ability to develop appropriate professional relationships with staff from a wide variety of races, religions, cultures, ages, educational backgrounds, sexual orientations, and identified genders.
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Able to gather information from a variety of sources.
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Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in professional organizations
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Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to cleaning of office space and common areas, sorting donations, additional reporting, data entry responsibilities, and facilitating special events
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Attendance at staff meetings as required
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Attendance at special events as directed by the supervisor
Education (High School Diploma or GED required, bachelor’s degree in social services or related field preferred)
Experience: Five plus years of experience working with people experiencing homelessness, mental health, and substance use disorders preferred
Generous vacation program based on years of service.
Paid holidays based on position and eligibility
Paid Sick Leave days annually
Medical, dental and vision coverage
Accident & Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage
Complimentary life insurance
403b retirement savings plan
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
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All staff are expected to abide by the policies of Franciscan Outreach, including, but not limited to, rules governing ethics, confidentiality, dual relationships, honesty, and integrity. All staff are
expected to always act in good faith and in keeping with the mission and values of Franciscan Outreach. Staff must have a commitment to serving the guests of Franciscan Outreach and to contributing to a positive, respectful, and accepting environment.
Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This description provides a summary of the major duties and responsibilities and is not an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities. The employee holding this position may be required to perform additional duties to meet the needs of the organization.
Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes
Franciscan Outreach is a leading provider of homeless services in Chicago. We operate as a system of support for men and women who are marginalized and homeless. We empower people to gain the stability they need to transition into permanent housing. Through five service sites, we offer healthy meals to those who are hungry, a warm bed for those who need shelter, vital case management for those who need guidance, and access to critical resources for those who need specialized services such as health care, mental health counseling, and substance use disorder treatment.
