Client Advocate, Magnolia House Women’s Shelter at CAMBA – Brooklyn, New York

Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports, they need to thrive. We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 180 integrated programs in: Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services. We reach almost 80,000 individuals and families, including almost 13,000 youth. CAMBA serves a diverse cross section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families are living in poverty, reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.

CAMBA operates 6 single adult shelters and 6 family shelters and one drop in center. Each shelter offers clients a supportive, structured therapeutic, safe, and drug-free facility. Homeless (often mentally-ill and substance-abusing) men and women are provided with comprehensive services to stabilize their condition in order to successfully transition into to permanent and/or supported housing.

CAMBA’s Magnolia House Women’s Shelter, located in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, serves 200 single women at any given time. The majority of these clients are diagnosed with mental illness, some dually with chemical addictions as well.

Position: Client Advocate

Reports To: Clinical Supervisor

Location: 1424 Herkimer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11233

What the Client Advocate Does:

• Assist program staff by being a client liaison with outside organizations regarding such matters as housing, education, healthcare, social services, legal issues, etc.
• Assist clients in attaining their goals by identifying and locating community resources and by referring clients to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA.
• Plan, coordinate and facilitate social/peer support events, including group facilitation for clients to promote wellness and recovery.
• Assist clients in developing skills intended to improve: mental health, physical health, activities of daily living (ADL), resistance to alcohol and other drug use and self-advocacy.
• Assist clients in recognizing their own individual warning signs of relapse and identifying and developing individual coping strategies.
• In collaboration with the case managers, work with clients to break through barriers to client goals and to assist clients in advocating for themselves, specifically in the treatment and recovery process, and in moving toward self-sufficiency.
• Prepare marketing materials for the program.
• Escort clients to appointments (housing, educational, medical, social service, etc.).
• Assist clients in completing applications for benefits and entitlements, and may process applications on clients’ behalf.
• Contact clients via telephone, mail and/or face-to-face office visits to ensure adherence to program, and document via progress notes.

Minimum Education/Experience Required:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. and two (2) years of applicable experience and/or equivalent experience

Other Requirements:

• Applicable experience working with either homelessness, mental health or substance use populations.
• May be required to become First Aid/CPR certified.
• May be required to become certified in overdose prevention.
• Bi-lingual preferred.​

Compensation:$18.50 hourly

When salary ranges are listed, the range would represent the low and high end for the applicable position & program. The salary offered would be based on various factors unique to each program and candidate. This includes but is not limited to experience, education, budget and/or program size, internal equity, skills and other factors that may be required for the position and organization.

Status: Full-time (35 hours per week)

Benefits: CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.

CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status or sexual orientation.