Residential Advocate EVA CENTER

Casa Myrna•Boston, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The EVA Center is a survivor-led exit program offering respectful, long-term, holistic, and comprehensive exit services for individuals wanting to leave prostitution and sexual exploitation. Founded in 2006, its mission is to work for systemic change and end the sex trade. The EVA Center is seeking a full-time Advocate for a unique nine-room emergency safe home program for women exiting sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, and their children. This house is one of the few emergency safe home programs in the country specific to this population. Since 2006, the EVA Center has provided space, support, and resources for those most impacted by the sex trade to find safety and stability, changing the narrative about sexual exploitation through legislation, education, and awareness. The organization is looking for a highly motivated person dedicated to ending gender-based violence to join their residential team. This position requires a highly driven individual who can bring energy, compassion, and be a strong presence for women and young adults who often have long histories of victimization and exploitation. Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of the approaches and specific issues faced by people impacted by the sex trade. Survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and prostitution are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Deeply committed to the mission and vision of the EVA Center, understanding the various systems and the current landscape of services, and system change work locally and nationally.
Committed to Casa Myrna’s values and mission of ending domestic and dating violence and commercial exploitation and promoting social justice and social change.
A deep and personal knowledge of prostitution, the issues facing marginalized young women exiting out of the sex trade, trauma, trauma theory, and exiting out of prostitution.
Personal history as a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation is highly preferred.
Minimum of 2 years demonstrated experience working as an activist, community organizer, or advocate, particularly in the field of ending sexual exploitation.
A high level of integrity and comfort with unpredictability and unknowns.
Ability to manage conflict resolution effectively and to adequately respond to extremely complex situations.
Ability to support survivors in crisis with empathy while maintaining boundaries.
Demonstrated ability to utilize appropriate, non-judgmental communication techniques when responding to survivors that illustrate sensitivity to their experiences and needs.
Ability to work and advocate in a collaborative style with diverse ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic groups, as well as diversity based on ability/disability, sexual orientation and religion.
Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other staff and organizations.
Strong leadership skills, ability to work with a diverse staff and program participants.
Promote an atmosphere of respect and cooperation; maintain confidentiality regarding program participants.
Innovative, thoughtful, and action oriented.
Ability to travel throughout Boston required, access to reliable transportation.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and/or weekends as needed.

Nice To Haves

Personal history as a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensure that the principles of trauma-informed, non-judgmental, strength-based approaches are maintained, creating an environment of healing and wellness.
Build a healthy positive culture that successfully achieves meaningful results for participants.
Work with the house manager and other advocates to oversee daily operations of the safe home.
Fairly and consistently implement safe home policies and practices.
Work with all staff to ensure cooperation and safe and clean conditions for residents and staff.
Create transformational relationships with participants.
Advocate for participants' needs, help them create plans for exiting the sex trade, and provide referrals related to housing, public benefits, employment, education, and other issues.
Assist participants in making informed decisions, fostering an environment that promotes harmony, respect, partnership, healing and thriving.
Respond effectively to crisis intervention/de-escalation and conflict mediation for participants.
Maintain current and accurate records of services, updating database information and ensuring participant files are up to date.
Work with other staff to organize and manage inventory supplies and program materials, attend staff meetings, monitor schedules and time sheets.
Develop and maintain relationships with community providers to enhance support and services available to participants within a wide range of health, wellness, education and employment opportunities.
Provide support and execute special projects as requested by Program Director.
Participate in team and agency meetings.
Works as a team player and close collaborator with other Casa Myrna departments and programs.
Develop own professional development plan and attend trainings, meetings, and conferences within Casa Myrna and in the community.
Embody and model the values of the Center, sisterhood/self-determination, and social justice.
Other duties as assigned.