Peer Advocate

The Night Ministry is a Chicago based organization whose mission is to provide human connection, housing support, and health care to members of our community who are unhoused or experiencing poverty.

We've successfully provided these lifesaving services for 45 plus years, everyday providing a lifeline to our most vulnerable neighbors. We serve everyone without concern for race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. With an open heart, we compassionately accept each individual as they are and work alongside them to advocate for their immediate physical, emotional, and social needs while affirming our shared humanity.

As a member of The Night Ministry team, you can look forward to engaging and compelling work, building dynamic professional relationships with staff, volunteers, and the clients you serve. Join our growing team and know you are making a meaningful impact on our shelter residents lives.

The Peer Advocate assists the Health Outreach Program in their efforts to reach unsheltered homeless individuals in the greater Chicago area. The Peer Advocate collaborates with Outreach and Health Ministry staff in developing new methods for outreach. With leadership from Outreach and Health Ministry staff, the Peer Advocate will locate, engage, and build relationships with individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are precariously housed. This person will also assist with referrals.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate effectively with staff, volunteers, interns, and community groups.

• Proficient in exploring and implementing new outreach methods.

• Demonstrates competency in trauma, LGBTQQIA, and street culture, working with diverse populations.

• Knowledgeable about Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, and Housing First Approach.

• Previous lived experience of homelessness required.

Qualifications:

• Support street outreach activities, promoting services to homeless individuals.

• Assist in preparing outreach materials and supplies at the office.

• Contribute to planning and presenting outreach strategies and information about TNM's programs.

• Collaborate in building and maintaining relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness.

• Participate in community needs assessments, distributing supplies and referrals as needed.

• Foster relationships with community organizations and social service agencies.

• Drive the Outreach Van as required, with knowledge of encampment locations.

• Attend training provided by TNM and assist with data tracking and entry.

• Participate in team meetings and training sessions.

• Perform other assigned tasks and duties.

Essential Skills and Other Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Physically able to be outdoors and/or mobile outdoors for as long as six consecutive hours at night in all varieties of Chicago weather.

• Scheduling flexibility for daytime, evening, weekend, and nighttime shifts

Additional Information:

• Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is regularly required to talk or listen.

• Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may vary at the different locations required in this job.

The Night Ministry is an Equal Opportunities Employer.