Residential Support Advocate (RSA)

FamilyAid is one of America's leading providers of solutions to family homelessness. Our mission is to empower parents and caregivers facing homelessness to secure and sustain housing and build solid foundations for their children's futures.

We prevent family homelessness whenever possible, reduce harm if homelessness can't be avoided by housing families as quickly as possible, mitigate trauma, especially for children, and provide wraparound supports that foster long-term stability.

We provide children and parents with a path to self-sufficiency via two-generation educational programs, housing search and placement support, and connections to vital resources they need to return to their own homes.

Our strategic vision and bold strategies to reduce two-generation homelessness successfully served 5,000 children and parents in Greater Boston last year. New funding powers our plans to serve more families more deeply.

Our supportive, collaborative, diverse workplace of more than 150 professionals is ideal for a skilled, result-oriented professional who is driven to help children and families thrive.

FamilyAid has been recognized as a Top Massachusetts Workplace by The Boston Globe and by Charity Navigator as one of the nation's top organizations working to end homelessness.

In late 2024, FamilyAid will open a Family Navigation Center in Newton, MA, a 2-acre, 31,000 s/ft facility that will provide temporary housing, educational services, and other supports that children and parents need to quickly obtain permanent housing and a pathway to long-term success and stability.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Facilities Supervisor, the Residential Support Advocate (RSA) works with families living in co-sheltering facilities as part of the Department of Housing and Community Development’s Emergency Assistance family shelter program. The Residential Support Advocate provides general support to program participants and oversee adherence to program rules and expectations designed to promote client well-being and safety through a trauma informed approach.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Residential Support Advocates (RSA) orients new families at move-in walk through. Provides ongoing monitoring and support of shelter living environment, as well as assistance with move-out & walk-throughs. The Residential Support Advocates (RSA Supports shelter guests or staff as needed in the event of a crisis at a shelter facility. Receives and document maintenance requests on behalf of families. Ensure that all families have all supplies required to meet FamilyAid Boston’s standards and r requirements of EOHLC (Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities) shelter contract.

Qualifications:

- High-School, associate, or bachelor’s degree.

- CPR & First Aid certified.

- Understanding of Trauma Informed Care.

- Previous human service experience, preferably residential, with a strong interest in working with homeless families.

- Ability to occasionally ascend and descend stairs up to three or more sets, frequently move equipment/snow weighing up to 5-20 lbs., and remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.

- Ability to work alone and handle crises with good judgment, adequate communication skills – both written and oral.

- Bilingual ( Haitian Creole or/ and Spanish).

- Dependable, adaptable, and able to cope with stress.

- Ability to multi-task and effectively prioritize competing demands.

- Good follow-through and attention to detail.

- Reliable personal transportation to enable ability to commute between locations throughout each shift.

Work Schedule and Conditions:

Full-time with number of hours and schedule to be determined with flexibility to best meet program needs. Work located at FamilyAid sites as assigned. Shifts: 3/4pm-11pm, and awake overnight 11pm-7/8am.

FamilyAid is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.