AGENCY OVERVIEW:
Apna Ghar provides holistic services to women and children across immigrant communities in the Chicago area to end the cycle of domestic violence. Apna Ghar empowers women to be self-sufficient by a full spectrum of services from education to emergency and transitional housing to counseling and legal services. www.apnaghar.org
Offices are located in the Uptown neighborhood Chicago. Programs are delivered in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. Comprehensive services include a 15 bed emergency shelter, legal advocacy, transitional housing, adult and children's counseling, economic advancement, outreach and education, art therapy, child visitation center, etc. Visit www.apnaghar.org for more information.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The legal advocate will ensure ongoing programmatic excellence by advocating on behalf of survivors of violence and trauma. This includes helping survivors understand their rights, and access the legal options available to them by connecting them to legal representation, and guiding and supporting them through the process. This is a full time, exempt position with benefits. Reports to the Director of Legal Services and Client Data Systems
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
? Respond to crisis calls and create safety plans with survivors with specific knowledge of available community and legal resources for domestic violence
? Engage law enforcement as needed to ensure survivor safety
? Link survivors to internal and external resources to the agency
? Collaborate with lawyers and legal representatives to ensure positive outcomes of legal cases
? Assist survivors in gathering evidence and preparing documents (e.g. affidavits) for their legal cases.
? Accompany survivors to court and attorney appointments, provide or arrange for translation as needed, and provide emotional support and guidance to survivors as needed
? Maintain strong & productive intra-agency relationships to ensure continuity of service
? Build relationships with, and conduct outreach to community organizations, law enforcement agencies, and other members of the legal community servicing survivors.
? Responsible for generating monthly reports entailing program narrative and statistical data.
? Responsible for accurate documentation of all activities in particular client files and data entry and collection into the Infonet system.
? Carry out any additional assignments required to fulfill the mission of Apna Ghar, Inc.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
? Bachelor's degree or higher, in social services, public policy or related fields and or equivalent experience
? 40 hour DV training/certification
? Experience working with women and families affected by domestic violence.
? Must possess a calm demeanor, be empathetic, and exercise sound judgment in complex situations
? Knowledge of the various statutes, regulations and laws that affect survivors such as the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, the Violence Against Women Act,, asylum laws etc.
? Demonstrates adaptability to constantly changing situations with flexible and creative approaches
? Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills; excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to participate in public speaking events.
? Fluency in an Asian, African, or Middle Eastern language
? Familiarity and understanding of Asian and immigrant culture
? Computer literacy, with experience with utilizing InfoNet and or client database
? Valid driver's license and access to personal vehicle
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Submit your resume and cover letter with salary history to applicant@apnaghar.org with "Legal Advocate" as the subject of your email. No phone calls, please. Position is available until filled
Location: UptownCompensation: $28,000 - $32,000/annualThis is at a non-profit organization.Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.Please, no phone calls about this job!Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
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