Outreach Worker

Outreach Worker

LCLC's Outreach Worker is responsible for helping to reduce community violence and working with juveniles and emerging adults, 25 and under, who are of the highest risk of violence to help prevent shootings and retaliatory violence. More specifically, the responsibilities of outreach include but are not exclusive to being a part of the Community Holistic Defense team working in collaboration with attorneys and case managers identifying new potential clients and engaging existing clients in services, maintaining a caseload of 15 clients, mediating conflict, canvassing, monitoring and responding to community violence, serving as a liaison between LCLC and the community, and promoting the LCLC way of working to transform the lives of young people we serve and the criminal justice system as a whole.

This individual will work on a rotating schedule of 10a-6p Mon-Fri;
Tues-Saturday 10a-6p along with being on call to respond to community violence up until 9p. Travel is required.

Responsibilities include:

• Work with juveniles and emerging adults (25 and under) who are of the highest risk of violence successfully engaging and/or re-engaging them in services and maintaining a caseload of up to 15 clients.
• Maintains contact with clients on a weekly basis, at minimum.
• Participates in Holistic Intake process with attorney and case management & completes eligibility screen for outreach services.
• Complete the safety assessment and safety intervention plan that will be used to help identify appropriate services, safety risks, and needed resources, sharing findings with case management & legal.
• Complete all required documentation in a timely manner utilizing the agency database.
• Ensures timely information about potential and current clients and their safety is clearly identified and communicated, both verbally and in writing, to attorneys, case managers and Director.
• Encourage and assist clients with completing individual goals identified in their work with case management.
• Demonstrates supportive behavior and act as a role model displaying positive appropriate interactions.
• Works with clients individually and in group setting on violence prevention skills (i.e., anger management, conflict resolution).
• Coordinates and facilitates activities for workshops and groups for clients (peace circles, recreation, life skills).
• Have knowledge and a clear understanding of street dynamics, trauma and the effects of trauma and operate from that perspective when interacting with clients, their families and the community.
• Gain and maintain the trust of the community to help prevent shootings and retaliatory violence.
• Serves as support and advocate for the clients and their families, identifying and relaying the need for resources to case management.
• Canvassing the community and working in other unstructured situations.
• Collaborate and network with other Outreach programs and workers to coordinate strategic responses to violence.
• Monitor and respond to shootings or other forms of community violence in North Lawndale received through CPIC notifications, Citizens app and word of mouth as well as responding to violence in surrounding communities when necessary.
• Willingness to work later hours during the week and during the weekends.
• Coordinates and lead community events for clients, their families and North Lawndale community.
• Market and promote the work of LCLC in the North Lawndale community magnifying our Holistic services to attract and identify potential clients in services.
• Attend regular staff meetings, partner meetings, supervision meetings, community meetings as instructed by Outreach Supervisor and/or Director.
• Appear in court on behalf of clients with attorneys as needed/directed.
• Participates in media opportunities as requested
• Participates in all mandatory training and undertakes any training and professional development as required to ensure effective work.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Writing and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Basic computer skills. Ability to learn new software and databases quickly.
• Skilled in working one-on-one and in groups with high-risk juveniles and/or emerging adults to resolve conflicts and promote prosocial behaviors.
• Possesses knowledge and understanding of street dynamics, trauma and the effects of trauma and operate from that perspective when interacting with clients, their families and the community.
• Emotional maturity, good judgment, integrity, tolerance of differing points of view and beliefs, and commitment to nonviolence.
• Willingness to learn and commit to the principles of nonviolence, restorative justice and trauma-informed practices.
• High degree of cultural competency.

Required education and experience include:

• No pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse, or domestic violence.
• High School Diploma/GED required.
• Significant experience (2+ years) working with high-risk, justice…