Youth Empowerment Specialist – PT

La Casa Norte•Chicago, IL

10d

About The Position

La Casa Norte’s Casa Corazón Emergency Beds Program serves homeless and at-risk youth ages 18–24 by offering immediate housing, support, guidance, and services that help participants pursue stability and life goals. The program operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and provides services such as street outreach, a drop-in center with youth programming and meals, transportation and toiletries, and strength-based case management focused on housing stability, education, and employment readiness and placement. The Youth Empowerment Specialist supervises residents and program activities to maintain a safe, stable living environment. The role supports youth through intake, service planning, referrals, skill development, crisis intervention, and coordination with other staff. It also helps maintain program structure, cleanliness, and sanitation. This is a part-time position scheduled Sunday and Monday from 12:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., with occasional additional days, nights, and weekdays. The position is represented by OPEIU Local 39.

Requirements

Ability to interact with youth to help alleviate social, emotional, or environmental crises.
Skill in de-escalating aggressive behavior.
Desire and ability to work with homeless, runaway, and at-risk urban youth.
Knowledge of social, economic, and cultural patterns of Latino and African American populations.
Willingness to work in a diverse environment across race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and gender.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Willingness to work flexible hours as needed, including nights and/or weekends.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Ability to talk or hear, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stand, walk, climb stairs, and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred; relevant experience may substitute.

Responsibilities

Supervise and monitor resident activities to maintain a safe and stable living environment.
Maintain professional relationships with residents and ensure the safety of the program milieu.
Complete timely and accurate program communications and documentation, including client intakes, incident reports, family contacts, facility inventories, and shift log entries.
Support and implement program and La Casa Norte policies and philosophies, including Harm Reduction and Sanctuary Model frameworks.
Use de-escalation and crisis intervention skills in a supportive and caring manner.
Work as part of a team to help residents achieve service plan goals.
Conduct intake needs assessments, create initial action plans, and refer residents to appropriate services.
Engage youth in discussions about their goals, strengths, and barriers to stability.
Coordinate with other staff, including the Drop-in Case Manager, to ensure continuity of services.
Help youth develop life skills and model effective, respectful communication.
Create and foster youth leadership opportunities and use teachable moments to build skills such as decision-making, conflict resolution, and time management.
Provide and coordinate life skills workshops on topics including personal hygiene, sexuality, financial literacy, household management, conflict resolution, and anger management.
Implement program structures for support and accountability to promote youth development.
Maintain cleanliness and facility upkeep, request repairs, and lead or support residents in completing necessary tasks.
Clean and sanitize areas as needed to maintain cleanliness and sanitation standards.
Attend bi-weekly and monthly staff meetings and other assigned staff training.
Participate in La Casa Norte fundraising events and perform other duties as required.