Program Assistant

Program Assistant

Homeless Children's Network's mission is to decrease the trauma of homelessness and domestic violence for children, youth, and families; to empower families; and to increase the effectiveness of collaborative efforts among service providers to end homelessness and poverty. Since 1992, HCN has empowered San Francisco's underserved and historically marginalized communities citywide toward a brighter future with love, wholeness, and healing.

Since 1992, HCN has been San Francisco's leading nonprofit agency for comprehensive early intervention and mental health support for underserved and historically marginalized children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or living in intergenerational poverty. Our mobile therapeutic model is both accessible and scalable, enabling clinicians to meet clients directly in the community. As the hub of a Collaborative of 60+ service agencies and community-based organizations, we serve over 2,500 clients each year, reaching those most reluctant to trust conventional mental health systems. Central to our work is our Afri-centric mental health and wellness model. This community-defined approach addresses health inequities and the persistent cycle of racism and trauma over generations. This model not only uplifts the Black/African American communities but also strengthens the behavioral health outcomes of all San Franciscans, fostering resilience, healing, and lasting change.

The Program Assistant works the reception desk and is often our initial contact for HCN's clients and visitors, and must have a cheerful, positive, welcoming attitude and demeanor. The Program Assistant provides administrative, coordination, and logistical support to ensure the effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of program activities. The role supports program staff by maintaining records, coordinating communications, assisting with data collection and reporting, and ensuring day-to-day program operations run smoothly. The Program Assistant works closely with internal teams in order to help achieve program objectives in a timely and organized manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative and operational support to ensure effective program implementation
• Assist in planning, coordinating, and scheduling program activities, meetings, and events
• Maintain accurate program records, files, and databases
• Collect, organize, and enter program data for monitoring and reporting purposes
• Prepare correspondence, reports, presentations, and other program documentation
• Communicate with program participants, partners, and stakeholders to share information and updates
• Support the preparation of progress reports and evaluations
• Assist with budget tracking, expense documentation, and procurement processes as required
• Coordinate logistics such as materials, venues, and travel arrangements
• Orders & stocks program and office supplies, stocks refrigerator and snacks for clients. Stocks restrooms supplies and makes sure supplies remain available.
• Makes simple purchases for organization, interns, or staff after CEO/COO approves
• Replenish forms and creates charts: keeps all regularly needed forms replenished
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Required Qualifications:

• Prior related office experience required
• Associate's degree in related field preferred.

Of all the above important qualifications, bring the heartfelt quality of compassion, with exquisite cultural responsiveness as a primary guiding quality, not only of your professional life, but of what you hold dear.

Please bring a strong analysis of how race, ethnicity, culture, language, region, poverty, sexual and gender identity, age, education, opportunities and resources generationally made available or not, and systemic oppressions impact a person's mental health.

Please have stories of your own life and how you have been a mover and shaker to transform these systems.

Please accept that HCN is a vibrant community that has a legacy that is of interest to you, and is also prompted to grow steadily, and with the respect of what has been done well central in the conversation.

Homeless Children's Network