Residential relief Advocate

Casa Myrna•Boston, MA

1d•$20 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The EVA Center is a survivor-led exit program offering respectful, long-term, holistic, comprehensive services for women seeking to leave sexual exploitation, including prostitution and trafficking. The project is expanding emergency housing and working to challenge public perceptions of the socioeconomic and situational factors that contribute to women’s and girls’ entry into the sex trade. The Residential Relief Advocate supports program participants and their children through intake, advocacy, referrals, crisis intervention, and supportive listening. The role helps maintain a safe, welcoming shelter environment, follows program policies and procedures, keeps accurate service records, coordinates shelter upkeep with participants, and provides age-appropriate childcare and activities as needed. Advocates work with program staff, supervisors, agency colleagues, and external collaborators, and attend trainings, meetings, and supervision. The position is based in Boston’s South End and Dorchester neighborhoods, with day, evening, overnight, and weekend shifts available.

Requirements

Commitment to Casa Myrna’s values and mission of ending domestic and dating violence and commercial exploitation, and promoting social justice and social change.
Demonstrated experience working with survivors of domestic or dating violence, trauma, and abuse, and with marginalized communities, particularly communities of color.
At least 3 years of demonstrated experience as an activist, community organizer, or advocate.
Familiarity with Boston-area community agencies and resources, particularly those serving youth, homeless people, and/or low-income populations.
Ability to use appropriate, nonjudgmental communication when responding to survivors, with sensitivity to their experiences and needs.
Ability to work and advocate collaboratively with diverse ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic groups, and with people of diverse abilities, sexual orientations, and religions.
Ability to prioritize and coordinate work at multiple sites and to work independently and as part of a team.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, crisis management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to promote respect and cooperation and maintain confidentiality regarding program participants.
Ability to travel throughout Boston.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and/or weekends as needed.

Nice To Haves

Driver’s license and access to a vehicle preferred.
Fluency in a language other than English strongly preferred, especially Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole, or Haitian Creole.

Responsibilities

Perform telephone screening, parent and child intake, assessments, advocacy, and referrals for program participants.
Provide crisis intervention and supportive listening to survivors and children in the program.
Maintain program structure and policies to support safety and security, report problems promptly to the supervisor, and share staff chores, including cleaning common areas and staff spaces.
Keep accurate and complete records of services and activities, including hourly communication log entries and end-of-shift reports.
Coordinate daily shelter and children’s play-space maintenance and cleaning with program participants.
Help maintain a welcoming home environment, including preparing rooms for new guests.
Demonstrate professionalism in interactions and communications with participants, colleagues, and external collaborators.
Work collaboratively with program staff, supervisors, agency staff, and the Program Coordinator.
Attend professional development trainings within Casa Myrna and in the community.
Attend monthly all-staff meetings at the main office and individual or group supervision.
Provide age-appropriate childcare and play-time activities as needed.
Follow Casa Myrna policies and procedures in day-to-day activities.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.