Community Assistant position

Start date: June 26, 2013-July 1, 2013

 

Franciscan Outreach

Marquard Center, 1645 W LeMoyne St. Chicago, IL 60622

www.franciscanoutreachvolunteers.org  www.franoutreach.org

Franciscan Outreach Volunteers is a 1 year (renewable) program based on the values of Service, Community, Spirituality and Simple Living.  Volunteers live and work at Franciscan Outreach a non-profit agency providing emergency and long-term services to those who are homeless, poor and marginalized in Chicago.  Volunteers work directly with the guests, providing hospitality and services at our Soup Kitchen and Shelter sites.  Volunteers live in intentional community with 11-13 other volunteers, participating in retreats, weekly reflections, meetings and community nights.

Job Description

The Community Assistant at Franciscan Outreach will be responsible for ensuring a safe, clean, and peaceable living environment for our Volunteer community, which resides on-site at the Marquard Center in separate living quarters.  The Community Assistant will live in intentional community with 11-13 volunteers.      

Main Areas of Responsibility and Significant Tasks: 

Community and Formation

·         Convening and attending weekly community meetings

·         Community Assistant would need to be present at community meetings
          and reflections which take place on Wednesdays from 2:00-3:30

·         Participate in leading faith sharing reflections (rotated amongst
          community members)

·         Organizing/helping to prepare a community night once per week

·         Organizing and attending scheduled community outings and functions 
          when possible

·         Planning holiday events for volunteers

·         Attends and assists in planning and leading 3 retreats a year with the
          Volunteer Program Director.

·         Maintains bulletin board with away calendar, meeting notes, chores,
          etc.

·         Actively pursues a “ministry of presence” and engagement with
          volunteer community

·         Respect confidentiality of personal information.  Be alert to potential
          problems and be able to confront and counsel those individuals and
          refer them if necessary

·         Assist Volunteer Program Director in preparing community rooms for
          visitors and volunteers

·         Is aware of building maintenance and repair concerns in the volunteer
          community quarters; collaborates with Volunteer Program Director and
          Marquard Center Program Director to make sure these needs are
          addressed.

·         Helps maintain needed supplies for volunteer quarters

Orientation and Supervision

·         Ensuring that household chores are done

·         Works with Volunteer Program Director to ensure new volunteers are
          picked up from the airport upon arrival

·         Greets and orientates new volunteers

·         Explain and implement volunteer handbook policies and write-up
          procedures

·         Utilizes disciplinary write-up form as necessary; makes disciplinary
          decisions in conjunction with Volunteer Program Director and other
          managers when appropriate

·         Maintain the community grocery finances

·         Coordinates quarterly “spring cleanings” with the community

·         Notifying the Volunteer Program Director and the community when the
          Community Assistant will be away

Other

·         Role model appropriate behavior both on and off of Franciscan Outreach
          property.  Know and comply with policies and procedures.

·         Volunteering occasionally in our soup kitchen and shelter so as to have
          familiarity with our guests, services, and overall mission of the agency.

·         Providing on-call assistance on weekends and after hours

·         Other duties as assigned

The Community Assistant will meet with the Volunteer Program Director on a weekly basis to maintain a collaborative relationship.

This is an ideal position for a graduate student or someone with a flexible work schedule who seeks a part-time, flexible, live-in situation.  The position requires approximately 10 hrs of work per week, although the Community Assistant is always available when at home.  The Community Assistant will be under the supervision of the Volunteer Program Director.

Qualifications

We are seeking a mature, responsible, and socially-committed individual with previous experience working with young adults in a counseling/campus ministry or related role.  Applicants should feel confident engaging, confronting and mentoring young adults while maintaining professional boundaries.  Previous experience in post-grad volunteer program and intentional community highly preferred.  Familiarity with issues of homelessness or experience working in homeless social-services is definitely a plus.  Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.  Must be able to pass a background check. 

Selected applicant would be expected to hold the Community Assistant position for one full year, and could be eligible for a second full year (or more) contingent upon Volunteer Program Director’s review.

Community Assistant would need to be present at community meetings and reflections which take place on Wednesdays from 2:00-3:30.

Compensation

The Community Assistant will receive free room and board, with a shared kitchen, bathroom and living quarters.  In addition, the Community Assistant will receive a stipend of $3,000 per year to help cover personal expenses.  The Marquard Center is located in Wicker Park, a safe, sought-after neighborhood of the city.  We are easily accessible to the Blue Line, and on-street parking is available.

 

Application deadline: April 3, 2013.  Please send your resume and cover letter to Kendall Grant, Volunteer Program Director, at Kendall@franoutreach.org.