Community Health Worker
About The Position
The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities. Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. Position Summary: Responsible for escorting participants to various appointments, assisting in picking up newly released participants from Rikers Island, conduct outreach
Requirements
- Ability to obtain correctional facility clearance and work within the constraints of facility guidelines which can include lock downs, screening of personal items including food and clothing restrictions, which can be changed at the discretion of the Department of Corrections
- Please note that previous charges of arson, sexual assault, murder or possessing contraband, currently being on probation or parole, or having contact with the criminal justice system in the last 2 years will disqualify individuals from receiving correctional facility clearance
- High School diploma or GED/HSE preferred
- Ability to travel throughout the 5 boroughs to escort participants to appointments
- Computer data entry skills
- Ability to work under strict confidentiality
Nice To Haves
- Experience working as a Peer a plus but not required
- Training in the HIV/AIDS field a plus
- Good communication skills, bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred
Responsibilities
- Accompany Transitional Specialist with picking up newly released clients from Rikers Island
- Conduct client escort as needed by public transportation or agency vehicle to various appointments
- Assist with follow-up on participant referrals to ensure connection to necessary services
- Advocacy on participants’ behalf as needed
- Conduct follow-up with participants via telephone and outreach home visits
- Enter progress notes into The Fortune Society’s proprietary database
- Perform other duties as assigned
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
Number of Employees
251-500 employees
