Youth Empowerment Specialist FT Bi-lingual- Pregnant & Parenting

Company: La Casa Norte
Location: Chicago
Posted on: June 1, 2025

Job Description:

Title: Youth Empowerment Specialist - FT - Bilingual (Pregnant & Parenting)
Reports to: Emergency Beds Supervisor
La Casa Norte's mission is to serve youth and families confronting homelessness. We provide access to stable housing and deliver comprehensive services that act as a catalyst to transform lives and communities.
JOB SUMMARY
Casa Coraz--n Emergency Beds Program aims to transform the lives of homeless and at-risk youth, ages 18-24, by providing stability, support, and guidance to help them become thriving members of society. The program operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, offering immediate housing, youth programming, meals, basic needs, and holistic case management focusing on housing stability, education, and employment readiness.
This is a full-time position with weekday overnight shifts, weekend daytime or overnight shifts, and is a union role.
Expected Goals and Objectives

• Supervise and monitor resident activities to ensure a safe and stable environment.
  
• Maintain professional relationships with residents.
  
• Ensure safety and proper conduct within the milieu.
  
• Communicate effectively within the program, including client intakes, incident reports, family contact, and shift logs, completing all documentation accurately and timely.
  
• Support and implement program policies and philosophies, including Harm Reduction and Sanctuary Model frameworks.
  
• Apply de-escalation and crisis intervention skills as needed in a supportive manner.
  
• Work collaboratively to assist residents in achieving their service plan goals.
  
• Conduct intake needs assessments, develop initial action plans, and refer residents to appropriate services.
  
• Engage youth in discussions about their goals, strengths, and barriers.
  
• Coordinate with other staff to ensure continuity of services.
  
• Model respectful communication and foster healthy interaction standards.
  
• Create leadership opportunities for youth to promote personal growth and community health.
  
• Utilize teachable moments to develop decision-making, conflict resolution, and time management skills.
  
• Provide life skills workshops on hygiene, sexuality, financial literacy, household management, conflict resolution, and anger management.
  
• Implement structured support and accountability to facilitate holistic youth development.
  
• Maintain cleanliness and safety standards, perform repairs requests, and oversee upkeep of the program environment.
  
  Additional responsibilities include:
  
  
• Attending staff meetings and training sessions.
  
• Participating in fundraising events.
  
• Performing other duties as assigned.
  
  Qualifications
  
  
• Bachelor's degree preferred; relevant experience considered.
  
• Ability to interact effectively with youth in crisis.
  
• Skilled in de-escalation techniques.
  
• Desire to work with homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth.
  
• Knowledge of social, economic, and cultural patterns of Latino and African American populations.
  
• Willingness to work in a diverse environment respecting race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and gender.
  
• Ability to work independently and in team settings.
  
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  
• Flexibility in working hours and impeccable attendance.
  
• Creativity and adaptability in a fast-growing agency.
  
• Subject to background check and medical clearance.
  
  La Casa Norte is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, national origin, or disability. The role requires talking, hearing, sitting, using hands, reaching, standing, walking, stairs, and lifting/moving up to 25 pounds.
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Keywords: La Casa Norte, Downers Grove , Youth Empowerment Specialist FT Bi-lingual- Pregnant & Parenting, Other , Chicago, Illinois