Emergency and Youth Services Advocate
Bloomington, MN
Full Time
Mid Level
Our Mission:
Cornerstone disrupts violence through advocacy, support, and prevention. We partner with individuals, families, and organizations to build communities free from harm.
Our Core Values: *Survivor- Centered *Social Justice *Well-Being *Collaboration *Integrity
Summary of Cornerstone:
Cornerstone is a $5.5 million organization that provides comprehensive services for individuals and families in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking or general crime. Our offices are located in Bloomington, Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis. Learn more at www.cornerstonemn.org
Diversity and Inclusion:
We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.
Pay Range: $21.00/hour
Unionized Position: Yes
Job Summary:
The Emergency and Youth Services Advocate provide direct childcare, advocacy, and supportive services to victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking/sexual exploitation who are accessing Cornerstone’s housing, emergency shelter, hotel, crisis line, and walk-in services.
This role supports children ages 4 months to 12 years while also providing survivor-centered advocacy to adults, enabling families to safely access critical programming, services, and crisis support. This role utilizes trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and survivor-centered approaches to support individual family members and the family unit across both office-based and community-based settings.
Services are provided in offices. Work schedule includes days, evenings, and weekends to accommodate our after-school program and participant scheduling needs. Scheduled holidays may be required
Essential Functions
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Essential responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Survivor Advocacy & Crisis Support (50%)
Childcare & Educational Support (50%)
Completes other duties as assigned by supervisor that support overall program objectives and services to victim/survivors.
Preferred Experience & Skillsets
Minimum of 1-2 years of experience working with children and youth in advocacy, childcare, or other related settings. Experience working with children and youth who have witnessed or experienced trauma is preferred. Knowledge and experience in working with diverse, marginalized, and underrepresented communities, and anti-oppression work. A bachelor’s degree in child development/early education, psychology, social work or related field or experience in the social service field are a plus.
Transportation:
Valid driver’s license, insurance, and reliable vehicle are required for this role
Physical Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use manual dexterity for use of objects, tools, or controls as well as visual acuity. The employee is required to stand, walk, sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to thirty pounds but can request assistance as needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities and those who may be Deaf/Hard of Hearing, to perform the essential functions of the position.
Visit our career page at: https://cornerstonemn.org/about/employment/
Cornerstone disrupts violence through advocacy, support, and prevention. We partner with individuals, families, and organizations to build communities free from harm.
Our Core Values: *Survivor- Centered *Social Justice *Well-Being *Collaboration *Integrity
Summary of Cornerstone:
Cornerstone is a $5.5 million organization that provides comprehensive services for individuals and families in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking or general crime. Our offices are located in Bloomington, Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis. Learn more at www.cornerstonemn.org
Diversity and Inclusion:
We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.
Pay Range: $21.00/hour
Unionized Position: Yes
Job Summary:
The Emergency and Youth Services Advocate provide direct childcare, advocacy, and supportive services to victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking/sexual exploitation who are accessing Cornerstone’s housing, emergency shelter, hotel, crisis line, and walk-in services.
This role supports children ages 4 months to 12 years while also providing survivor-centered advocacy to adults, enabling families to safely access critical programming, services, and crisis support. This role utilizes trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and survivor-centered approaches to support individual family members and the family unit across both office-based and community-based settings.
Services are provided in offices. Work schedule includes days, evenings, and weekends to accommodate our after-school program and participant scheduling needs. Scheduled holidays may be required
Essential Functions
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Essential responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Survivor Advocacy & Crisis Support (50%)
- Maintain professional, confidential, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered support, advocacy, information, and safety planning for victims/survivors via phone, in-person, and walk-in services.
- Answer crisis line calls, provide information, support, and referrals to victims/survivors or concerned persons and systems personnel (medical, social services, law enforcement, etc.).
- Screen potential shelter/hotel participants requesting emergency shelter and managing placements, including utilizing Day One (DO).
- Welcome new participants into shelter/hotel, conducting intakes, basic needs assessments, tours, and shelter guidelines orientation.
- Respond professionally to law enforcement intervention contacts and follow up with participants in line with program protocols.
- Provide ongoing advocacy, resources, crisis intervention, and interpreter services to residents.
- Assist current residents with basic living skills (cleaning, meal preparation, childcare) and prepare apartment spaces during participant turnover.
- Accurately document services, critical incidents, and participant interactions in databases (e.g., Apricot) and other tracking methods.
- Collaborate with ES Advocates, CAS program staff, and supervisors to ensure seamless referrals and accurate information sharing.
- Stay updated on ES and CAS policies, protocols, and activities.
- Participate in training, mentoring, and onboarding of new hires, interns, and volunteers.
Childcare & Educational Support (50%)
- Plan and implement age-appropriate arts, crafts, games, music, and other recreational activities in a safe, nurturing, and fun environment.
- Support children in developing safe, appropriate ways of interacting and expressing feelings during afterschool and recreational programs.
- Assist parents/caregivers with educational planning, school enrollment, attendance monitoring, and access to academic resources.
- Collaborate with Advocates to provide wraparound services for families, supporting the entire family unit.
- Create and maintain learning and play spaces, keeping them safe, clean, and engaging.
- Maintain inventory and stock for children and youth items in storage areas.
- Utilize available learning tools, webinars, and resources to enhance professional knowledge and skills.
- Conduct intake session with every youth and parent/caregiver to assess strengths, goals, safety plans, and needs.
- Provide consistent and regular support for parents/caregivers and families through one-on-one sessions, community visits, family sessions, support groups, and Cornerstone-hosted events.
- Assist with planning and running our after-school program for youth in K-12th grade, including hiring and supervising program interns.
- Coach parents/caregivers on basic parenting techniques with age-appropriate expectations, coping mechanisms, childcare, and health related referrals, in a compassionate manner.
Completes other duties as assigned by supervisor that support overall program objectives and services to victim/survivors.
Preferred Experience & Skillsets
Minimum of 1-2 years of experience working with children and youth in advocacy, childcare, or other related settings. Experience working with children and youth who have witnessed or experienced trauma is preferred. Knowledge and experience in working with diverse, marginalized, and underrepresented communities, and anti-oppression work. A bachelor’s degree in child development/early education, psychology, social work or related field or experience in the social service field are a plus.
- Ability to work in individual and group settings with children and youth of all ages, parents, and the family as a unit.
- Experience providing direct services and advocacy to individuals and families experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence, and/or human trafficking using a survivor-centered and trauma-informed approach.
- Knowledge of pre-school, elementary, and high school enrollment, Homeless McKinney Vento Act and school liaison and transportation processes.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to work independently and in team settings.
- Effective communication skills. Fluency in another language is a plus.
- Knowledge of and aptitude with Microsoft Office, web-based applications, and other related forms of technology.
Transportation:
Valid driver’s license, insurance, and reliable vehicle are required for this role
Physical Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use manual dexterity for use of objects, tools, or controls as well as visual acuity. The employee is required to stand, walk, sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to thirty pounds but can request assistance as needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities and those who may be Deaf/Hard of Hearing, to perform the essential functions of the position.
Visit our career page at: https://cornerstonemn.org/about/employment/
Our Benefits Package Includes:
- Health Care: Comprehensive coverage options.
- Paid Time Off: 160 hours annually, plus 13 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays and your birthday in your first year. (Based on FT/40 hours per week.)
- Retirement Savings: Up to a 4% employer match after 90 days of service.
- Vision Coverage: Free for employees.
- Virtual Mental Health Services: Free for employees and their immediate families.
- Virtual Medical Care: Free for employees and their immediate families when enrolled in any of our medical plans.
- Life Insurance: Basic coverage provided at no cost to employees.
- Long-Term Disability: Free coverage for employees.
- Paid Parental Leave: Available after one year of service
EEO Statement:
Cornerstone strives for a fully inclusive work environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, veteran, disability, age, marital or, familial, and/or with regard to public assistance or any other characteristic. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Apply for this position
Required*