Street and Community Outreach Case Manager, Full-Time

Title: Street & Community Outreach Case Manager

FLSA Status: Salary, Exempt

Salary: $44,000/year

Reports To: Assistant Director of Outreach & Prevention

Street and Community Outreach Case Manager, Full-Time

Community Programs

Ignite stands with youth on their journey to a home and a future with promise. We are a leading non-profit, human services organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for youth, ages 10-26. While Ignite has a long-standing history that dates back to 1976, we continue to create new ways to serve our community.

Through housing, education, employment, career planning, financial empowerment, mental health support, and community connection, we enroll more than 800 youth per year, on the path to reaching their full potential. Following their time with Ignite, many of our youth achieve financial stability and move into their own long-term home. Ignite intends to be the last program our youth will ever need, but the family and place they can always call home. As a 2025 Chicago Innovation Award winner, Ignite is leading the way in creating new housing and service models that help youth put homelessness behind them for good. At Ignite, we envision a world where all young people have the support they need to be defined by their potential, not their circumstances.

Program Summary: The Community Programs team is dedicated to building community, hope and opportunity for youth who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, by providing them with the resources, support, and guidance they need in order increase their self-sufficiency, health, independence, and overall well- being. Community programs participants receive engagement and support through street outreach, community engagement, and the Ignite Community Resource Hub. The Community Programs team provides participants with access to a variety of services including but not limited to case management, stabilization services, meals, transportation assistance, toiletries, other resources that focus on increased self- sufficiency, housing stability, educational opportunities, and job readiness, placement, and opportunities.

Position Summary: The Steet and Community Outreach Case Manager is responsible for working in collaboration alongside the Ignite Community Programs team to establish and maintain the collaborative and positive tenor of program services. Case Managers are responsible for the direct care of program youth and must demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the mission and core values of Ignite. The position reports to the Manager of Outreach and Community Engagement.

The following duties are the essential functions of this position:

Street Outreach

• Conduct Street and Community Outreach daily at assigned locations based on Ignite Outreach calendar.
• Drives the Ignite Outreach van to conduct all street outreach and community engagement activities at the direction of the Manager of Outreach and Community Engagement
• Assists in planning and development of the outreach calendar and community engagement plan.
• Provides appropriate youth and community engagement and intervention in all settings, (e.g., street, schools, partner agencies, agency presentations etc.).
• Dress in Ignite agency branded clothing (ie.. sweatshirt, jacket, hat) during all outreach engagement activities/events.
• Arranges for street outreach clients to access resources offered by Ignite and arranges for staff supervision of the youth while they utilize the services.
• Conducts presentations for community partners, outlining the services provided by Ignite.
• Functions as a mentor and advisor to Peer Educators during outreach and activities.
• Collaborate with other local agencies and the police department to connect clients to services.
• Develops partnerships with resources that will strengthen support for participants and holds partners accountable as needed.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with other social service agencies. Work closely with referral and referring agencies to ensure continuity of services for each youth.

Case Management

• Provides intake and housing assessment services.
• Provides trauma-informed care and interventions for youth in need or in crisis.
• Provides case management services, including addressing youth’s goals, increased basic life skills, housing needs, education, employment, physical and mental well-being and makes referrals as needed, unless otherwise directed.
• Assists youth with applying to public aid benefits and in obtaining any necessary documentation.
• Assists with follow-up phone calls and prepare contact letters to clients who are difficult to locate.
• Conduct In-person/virtual visits to retrieve records, consents and assessments signatures from clients.
• Assists in the planning of outreach events and activities; including preparing fliers, educational materials, contacting vendors and assisting with set up of the events.
• Maintains a working inventory of client’s needs, such as hygiene, clothes, housing, bus passes, food, and food cards, and assist clients in reaching their goals.
• Coordinates with clients to ensure attendance at and participation in appointments, meetings, and activities.
• Distributes transportation passes to youth and/or coordinates transportation when needed for employment, housing, or other critical appointments.
• Provides appropriate referral and placement services for homeless or precariously housed youth.

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Human Services related degree equivalent preferred or HS diploma/ GED with equivalent training/experience.
• 1 year or more of Street and Community Outreach and youth development work experience required.
• Experience working with high risk and vulnerable young adult populations in various Chicago Communities
• Knowledge, comfort, and familiarity working in street and community-based settings on Chicago South and West side communities. Strong written communicator
• Some evening and weekend work hours will be required

Skills

• Strong ability to engage in conversation in diverse settings. Strong written communicator
• Demonstrates consistent business ethics and integrity in all their actions Exceptional organizational skills regarding schedules and work product Displays a passion and commitment in their work with the clients
• Able to manage well in an ever-changing, fast-paced environment Solid team player, critical thinker, and problem solver
• Is flexible with their work schedule to meet the needs of the clients and agency commitments (including but not limited to training and meetings)
• Proficient with automation (including but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite, Ignite database etc.)

• Must be able to climb stairs and short ladders on a frequent, daily basis. May be required to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs.

Ignite is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such, all applicants and/or employees seeking promotional opportunities will be considered without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Additionally, as dictated by the state of Illinois, employment with Ignite is at will. This means your employment is for an indefinite period of time and it is subject to termination by you or Ignite, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.