Advocate

Saint Martha’s helps abused women and their children break the cycle of violence in their lives. Saint Martha’s is guided by the social justice teachings of Jesus Christ. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Catholic Charities of St. Louis, Saint Martha’s Advocate works to ensure Saint Martha’s fulfills its mission to serve women and their children who are impacted by domestic violence. Using a trauma-informed lens, the Advocate works directly with women and children to provide crisis intervention, community referrals, safety planning, and maintain a safe program environment. The Advocate supports and empowers women as they build a new life, free from violence by providing general support services such as access to shelter, food, clothing, and safety to clients. The Advocate provides direct services in accordance with agency policies and procedures; provides crisis intervention support by phone and in person; provides advocacy services for clients; takes responsibility for the quality and periodic evaluation of services available and rendered to agency clients; and advocates for the equality, dignity and full humanity of all persons by working for social justice. Do related work as required.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Advocate works to ensure Saint Martha’s fulfills its mission to serve women and their children who are impacted by domestic violence. Using a trauma-informed lens, the Advocate works directly with women and children to provide crisis intervention, community referrals, safety planning, and maintain a safe program environment. The Advocate supports and empowers women as they build a new life, free from violence by providing general support services such as access to shelter, food, clothing, and safety to clients. The Advocate provides direct services in accordance with agency policies and procedures; provides crisis intervention support by phone and in person; provides advocacy services for clients; takes responsibility for the quality and periodic evaluation of services available and rendered to agency clients; and advocates for the equality, dignity and full humanity of all persons by working for social justice. Do related work as required.

OVERVIEW & RESPONSIBILITIES • Maintain client and shelter confidentiality • Assist in maintaining a safe and clean agency environment • Screen clients for agency services • Evaluate and respond to crisis situations • Assess client’s needs to determine ways to assist • Establish relationships in which clients can express feelings and attitudes • Make agency and community resources available • Communicate with other agencies regarding services to meet the client's needs • Provide positive parenting information to clients • Provide consistent and accurate referral services • Provide system advocacy to clients e.g. legal, medical • Provide support services, including emergency transportation, to clients on an as-needed basis • Participate in staff meetings • Maintain and collect accurate client information • Evaluate the services being provided by the agency in relation to specified goals and recommend modifications and new programs, where appropriate • Recommend and/or provide input on new programs RELATIONSHIPS The Advocate must communicate with other staff and volunteers on a daily basis. Works with representatives of public and private agencies in securing services for clients.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge of women's issues and the dynamics of domestic violence are helpful. • Must have driver's license, car, and automobile liability insurance. Must be at least 21 years of age. SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED • Demonstrated passion for the mission of Saint Martha’s. Good written and verbal skills. • Ability to gain the confidence and establish good relationships with the clients and the ability to work with a variety of clients often under stressful situations. • Flexibility and ability to prioritize tasks. • Ability to work with other agencies to coordinate services for clients. An understanding of how human diversity, i.e., race, culture, gender, religion, spirituality, age, and disability, impact women and children who experience abuse. • Knowledge of how social, political and economic factors i.e., poverty, crime, unemployment, racism, discrimination, etc. impact women and children who experience abuse.

Saint Martha does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities. Saint Martha is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or disability. 








Pre-Employment Screening 
All candidates receiving an employment offer must submit a pre-employment screening. The screenings will include criminal background check and other background checks (as needed), Family Care Safety Registration, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification. Various positions will require physical examination, Tuberculosis screening and Hepatitis A. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.