Job Opportunities

Community Building & Engagement Support Specialist VISTA

Full Time

Background Information

West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation (WEHDC)’s vision is to promote the development of a healthy, sustainable community through cultivating and enabling homeownership and economic development. It strives to realize this vision by building and renovating homes, attracting resources into the neighborhood, and investing in the diverse people who live in, work in and support the community. It accomplishes these goals by offering a variety of programs and services related to real estate development, economic development, homeownership development, including lending and community building and organizing. It is also involved in managing the properties and other assets it owns. WEHDC is located in a wonderful, culturally diverse neighborhood on the west end of Providence, RI. Our VISTA will help build out a creative database that can capture all the wonderful contributions WEH offers to the community. There will be thought-provoking workshops and activities that will help train up our VISTA, providing them with the tools they need for their success here at WEH. Helpful attributes and skills we are looking for would be a positive disposition, a willingness to learn, and the ability or understanding of how the functions within a database work to create measurable outcomes. The start date for this assignment would be August 16, 2021, and the finish date will be September 11, 2022. For more information please do not hesitate to Contact Sonia Thomas at 401-453-3220 X24 or sthomas@westelmwood.org.

Member Duties:

  • VISTA will research community organizations aligned with WEHDC mission and work with agency staff to decipher who is a new connection, and who we are working with already.
  • VISTA will create a community map with new community connections.
  • VISTA will share the community map with agency staff as a valuable resource.
  • VISTA will reach out to community organizations by email or phone with introductory letters, explaining the programs WEHDC has for the community.
  • VISTA will plan a meeting with 2 community connections and explore potential ways to work together in the future.
  • VISTA will work with the supervisor to review the next steps with the community connections made and support future partnerships fostered through this outreach.

Qualifications:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • A positive disposition & a willingness to learn
  • The ability or understanding of how the functions within a database work to create measurable outcomes

The start date for this assignment would be August 16, 2021, and the finish date will be September 11, 2022.

Program Benefits:

  • Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend
  • Education award upon successful completion of service
  • Relocation Allowance
  • Health Coverage
  • Training
  • Living Allowance
  • Childcare assistance if eligible

Dunamis Synergy Family Coach

Exempt Salaried Full Time – 35 Hours a week

Background Information

Dunamis Synergy is a new initiative to support expectant and parenting teens and students ages 15-24 years old, and their children, as they strive together to achieve their educational potential and establish a legacy of prosperity that passes from one generation to the next.

Dunamis Synergy comprehensive two generation service model, will complement and leverage existing efforts to address the needs of Rhode Island families and increase college access, persistence, and completion in the state. West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation is seeking Full Time Family Coaches who will work directly with expectant and parenting teens, students, and their families.

Essential Functions:

· Assess current needs and use of resources among expectant and parenting teens and students.

· Provide counseling to expectant and parenting teens on matters related to gaining access to postsecondary.

· Support expectant and parenting teens transition into postsecondary

· Provide referrals and empower students to leverage existing resources at the institutions of higher education and within the community

· Assess, understand, and document situational, dispositional and situational barriers that prevent students and persistence in postsecondary

· Empower individuals to identify and gain access to resources to meet their and their family’s specific needs and goals.

  • Develop and maintain client case records, plans and reports; compile data for statistical purposes.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following education and/or experience.

· Bachelor’s degree in human services, education or related field

· Experience in direct service with adolescents or young adults

· Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance required.

· Previous lived experience as a young parent or parenting secondary or post-secondary student is strongly desired.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to satisfactorily perform essential duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· High level of interpersonal skills and excellent writing and oral communication skills.

· Ability to utilize personal experiences to enhance support to families while maintaining professional boundaries.

· Knowledge of public education system, community resources and higher education preferred.

· Bilingual skills are strongly desired.

· Ability to effectively work independently and in collaboration with multiple staff and partners.

· Ability to logically resolve problem situations and develop alternative solutions when faced with obstacles

· Must possess the ability to multitask and prioritize time and activities.

· Must be organized and effectively manage time and commitments.

TO APPLY

Send your resume and a cover letter describing your qualifications via email to contact@westelmwood.org. Please include “Dunamis Synergy Family Coach” in the e-mail subject line.

Temporary HEZ Community Health Worker  

POSITION SUMMARY:

West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation (WEHDC) serves as the backbone agency of the 02907 Health Equity Zone (HEZ). A Health Equity Zone (HEZ) is an innovative, place-based approach that brings people together to build healthy, resilient communities across Rhode Island.

The 02907 community has seen a disproportionately high number of COVID-19 cases as compared to other parts of Providence and across the state of Rhode Island.

The 02907 HEZ is seeking temporary Community Health Workers to begin immediately. The Community Health Worker will work with the 02907 Health Equity Zone to provide culturally appropriate support to 02907 residents related to COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and service delivery. Based upon the status of the COVID-19 pandemic as of the Fall, the need to continue this program will be reevaluated

REPORTING STRUCTURE:

The CHW will report to the Resident Health Specialist.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Establish relationships with trusted community leaders to identify and document cultural and structural barriers that interfere with accessing testing and adhering to response guidance.
  • Assess the barriers that exist for those who need to seek COVID-19 testing and provide language, transportation, and/or employment support.
  • Assess the needs of residents in isolation and provide community-based referrals to the necessary supports.
  • Collect and relay essential needs information to the 02907 HEZ and state agencies to ensure supports are being addressed in real time.
  • Relay vital COVID-19 information to residents through multiple channels and address frequently asked questions related to testing, contact tracing, and/or isolation.
  • Identify community driven solutions to testing and contract tracing barriers.
  • Act as the liaison between residents, the 02907 HEZ, and the contact-tracing team at Rhode Island Department of Health.
  • Gain insights about needed resources and changes required to improve COVID-19 response in the 02907 community.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Community Health Worker in the state of Rhode Island, or actively working to become certified preferred.
  • Extensive networks within the 02907 community and relationships with 02907 community leaders.
  • High level of interpersonal skills and excellent writing and oral communication skills to collect data and engage residents.
  • Experience working with diverse populations.
  • Fluency (speaking, reading, and writing) in English and at least one other language commonly spoken by residents of the 02907 zip code.
  • Resident of the 02907 zip code (Providence’s West End, Elmwood, Reservoir Triangle, or South Providence neighborhoods) preferred.
  • Strong interpersonal skills.
  • Comfort working with diverse communities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to satisfactorily perform essential duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Familiarity with the assets, needs, challenges, opportunities present in the 02907 zip code.
  • Knowledge of the direct service organizations in Providence.
  • Ability to effectively work independently and in collaboration with multiple staff and partners.
  • Ability to maintain sensitivity to individual, system, and cultural dynamics that affect behavior and relationships
  • Ability to build and sustain trust and rapport with community members based on listening and respect.

This is a full time position and will require evening and weekend work. Continued work will be contingent on available funding and initiative priorities.

To apply, please send your resume and a brief cover letter via e-mail to Dominique Resendes at dresendes@westelmwood.org by January 29, 2020.