Successful candidates for all AmeriCorps positions will perform their service hours on-site at Housing Forward or a partner agency, and will not be considered employees of the respective agency.
Housing Forward is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate against applicants for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sex, or sexual orientation.
Housing Forward has a network of 1200 volunteers that support the agency’s six program areas. The role of the Volunteer & Community Outreach Manager is to provide overall management of the agency’ Volunteer Services program, to lead efforts to improve the agency’s recruitment process, and to manage the agency’s 10+ year AmeriCorps program. This position supervises the Volunteer Coordinator, an AmeriCorps Member, and works in conjunction with five program managers to identify volunteer needs and to ensure volunteers are properly trained.
The Shelter Diversion/Aftercare Specialist 1) provides intervention strategies for households who are at-risk of homelessness, as defined by HUD or other federal statutes; and 2) provides comprehensive housing retention case management, advocacy, and support to former clients of the housing programs by assisting them in maintaining stable housing and self-sufficiency to prevent housing loss.
Food insecurity and poor nutrition go hand in hand. For those struggling with hunger, food choices are often prioritized based on an item’s cost, not its nutritional value. Long-term effects on children experiencing hunger include lowered academic achievement, decreased emotional development, and increased health problems. In the elderly malnutrition exacerbates diseases, decreases resistance to infection, and extends hospital stays. In providing emergency hunger relief, Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry aims to deliver the very items our clients need most: nutrient-dense and protein-rich foods. The Nutrition Programs Assistant (NPA) is critical to the success of that goal by connecting targeted groups to healthy food through special programs. Thus, the NPA must be skilled in communicating and working with people of all ages, abilities, and walks of life. The NPA also supervises the volunteers who work in these programs. By combining outreach and volunteer management, the NPA helps build connections across age, ability, and interest, thus further integrating volunteers into the service model.
Food insecurity and poor nutrition go hand in hand. For those struggling with hunger, food choices are often prioritized based on an item’s cost, not its nutritional value. Thus, those who suffer from food insecurity are less likely to eat fruits and vegetables, less likely to get the calcium and protein they need, and more likely to have diets high in sugar and fat. In providing emergency hunger relief, Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry aims to deliver the very items our clients need most: nutrient-dense and protein-rich foods. The Pantry Supervisor is critical to the success of that goal by enlisting and managing community involvement in the procurement of these foods— including but not limited to retail vendors, congregations, civic groups, volunteers, and individual gardeners. The Pantry Supervisor assists with program assessment by tracking the amount and nutritional content of food procured. To enhance consistent client access to nutritious food, the Pantry Supervisor manages the volunteers who conduct food rescues, drives, deliveries, and distributions. By combining outreach and volunteer management, the Pantry Supervisor helps volunteers be a part of the outreach process, thus further integrating volunteers into the service model.
The Employment Readiness Program helps individuals address barriers to employment and locate, obtain and sustain employment leading to improved financial stability. The Employment Program Associate will facilitate client case management and program services; provide follow-up care as needed for clients completing the program, help maintain referral resources for clients; help maintain computerized and paper client files, and assist with outreach to employers and training programs as needed.
The Emergency Assistance Program works with individuals and families to address to address the immediate crisis through a combination of financial support, if available, and referrals to community based stability support resources. Housing Forward is part of the Suburban Cook County Continuum of Care and as such, collaborates closely with other area homelessness service providers and will be a lead agency in Coordinated Entry. The Emergency Assistance Program Associate will assist with client case management, program services, report coordination and various administrative functions for Emergency Assistance Program. The Program Associate will play an integral role in assessing client need, initiating case management referrals and maintaining our community resource database.
The shelter outreach and engagement specialist is responsible for 1) intake, assessment, and referral services to clients in the Emergency Shelter; 2) facilitation of clients’ move beyond shelter services by linking clients to Housing Forward’s continuum of care; and 3) providing crisis intervention, advocacy and education to and on behalf of clients. The outreach and engagement specialist strives to build a trusting relationship with shelter guests in an effort to encourage access to services and housing and reduce the length of stay in the Emergency Shelter.
The case aide works in the Beds Plus Support Center serving men, women and families from the west suburbs who are experiencing homelessness. The case aide assists in the management of the Support Center activities and assists the program’s case management staff. The case aide is responsible for 1) intake, assessment, and referral services to clients referred from the Emergency Shelter to the Support Center; 2) Assist in the facilitation of moving clients beyond emergency shelter services by linking clients to BEDS Plus Care’s basic services and case management team; and 3) provide crisis intervention, advocacy and education on behalf of clients. The case aide strives to build a trusting relationship with emergency shelter guests in an effort to encourage access to services and housing and reduce the length of stay in the Emergency Shelter.
The Case Aide assists clients experiencing homelessness with basic needs and enrolling in benefits in the day-time Support Center and assists with case management under the direction of Case Managers. The Case Aide also helps ensure the smooth operation of the Support Center and create a welcoming, safe space for clients.
