Street Outreach Advocate, Maternity Group Home (54179)

Yss•Des Moines, IA

12h

About The Position

YSS is looking for a Street Outreach / Maternity Group Home Advocate –someone who leads with empathy and shows up with consistency. You'll show up where it matters most, supporting young people ages 16–21 who are navigating housing instability or the risk of homelessness, offering steady, compassionate support rooted in trust and respect. This role meets youth where they are—both physically and emotionally—building meaningful relationships in community spaces, emergency shelters, schools, and other settings where young people feel most comfortable. Serving primarily as a Street Outreach Youth Advocate (approximately 75% of the role), you’ll provide a consistent, trauma-informed presence focused on listening first, honoring each young person’s experiences, and empowering them to make choices that support their safety and well-being. You’ll help connect youth to resources and opportunities that promote stability, while recognizing that progress often happens one small step at a time. The remaining 25% of this role supports young parents in our Maternity Group Home, offering encouragement, guidance, and practical support as they build confidence, strengthen life skills, and work toward independence for themselves and their children. At its heart, this role is about relationship-building, patience, and believing in the resilience of young people—even on the days when they’re still figuring things out. This description is not a complete list of the responsibilities of this position. Duties may change at any time.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in social work or a related human services field.
OR Three (3) years of experience working directly with homeless or at-risk youth.
This role involves travel, including transporting clients.
To meet YSS insurance requirements, you must:
Be at least 21 years old
Hold a valid state-issued driver’s license
Maintain a clean driving record
Carry insurance that meets YSS coverage standards

Nice To Haves

Demonstrates a deep understanding of the needs and experiences of youth facing homelessness or housing instability, applying trauma-informed care and effective intervention strategies.
Possesses strong knowledge of the Des Moines community.
Able to connect young people with appropriate resources and supports.
Communicates with clarity and empathy—skilled in active listening, observation, speaking, and writing.
Can effectively engage and communicate with participants, the public, colleagues, and other staff members.
Be rooted in purpose and driven by equity, inclusion, and positive social impact.
Bring humility, respect, and cultural awareness to every interaction.
Speaks a language in addition to English (especially one spoken in our communities).

Responsibilities

Build trusting, respectful relationships with young people while creating a safe, welcoming environment where they feel seen, supported, and valued.
Support youth in meeting their basic needs by helping them access essential resources—such as safe shelter, food, transportation, clothing, hygiene supplies, health care, and community services. This includes offering calm, compassionate crisis support, helping de-escalate difficult moments, and connecting youth to victim services and other supports when needed.
Create and lead programming that helps young people learn about available resources, strengthen life skills, and build meaningful connections with peers and supportive adults in the community.
Maintain a strong working knowledge of Des Moines–area resources and use that knowledge to thoughtfully connect youth to services that best meet their individual needs.
Welcome new participants by completing intakes with care and respect, ensuring youth understand available supports and feel comfortable accessing services.
Complete timely, accurate documentation in ServicePoint to reflect services provided and support continuity of care.
Facilitate group sessions as needed, including topics focused on basic living skills and personal growth.
Share information about Iowa Homeless Youth Centers and youth homelessness in the community to help increase awareness and understanding.
Use supportive, trauma-informed interventions when working with youth who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, always centering dignity, safety, and choice.