About us
Of Color, Inc. is a minority, female owned and incorporated 501c3 (not for profit) The agency is founded on the belief that people “Of All Colors” can grow economically and together while contributing to the larger society if they are exposed to the positive resources that their communities and that same larger society has to offer them. We work to assist at-risk families economically through sustainable employment and increasing their education status.
The organization has a bold and ambitious goal to impact 3,000 individuals in select communities by 2030, serving 350 annually. As a servant leader, the Executive Director holds strongly that we, as a society should not rely on other structures to begin the conversation around those who struggle economically but to change the narrative from an advocacy and innovative perspective. She believes that with a “different” mindset, we can assist all families in one united and holistic manner, not excluding any person that suffers from economic disadvantages.
“Those from the community must be empowered to take a stand to educate, seek out resources and implement programs which will enrich the lives for those in need”.
– Renita White
Of Color, Inc.’s model brings H.O.P.E. to the minds of all underserved, misrepresented, and forgotten people, helping each person realize his/ her dreams while working towards goals with the assistance of multiple positive outlets and resources. The agency’s target group is expansive and inclusive of workforce services and training and workshops, which impact three specific age groups: 18-20, 21-24, and 25-65. These age groups include youth in care, opportunity youth, returning citizens, homeless individuals, veterans, and dislocated workers.
Our Workforce Business Center’s primary focus is to teach, empower, and link our participants to employment with advancement opportunities and/or into a higher education level, such as high school and college. We offer a variety of services under this umbrella to achieve our strategic goals. We believe that the reduction of trauma and violence is equally as significant as sustainable employment, housing and education.
The introduction of soft skills and job readiness training is essential to any person in the workplace. We teach soft skills such as resume and cover letter development, customer service skills, coming to work on time, calling off appropriately, handling workplace conflict, minimizing traumatic experiences toward success, workplace diversity, engagement with other groups, and interviewing skills. We focus on soft skills because our research shows that more than 50 percent of our target population has lost employment due to these issues.
Our services focus on the whole individual and run the gamut. We work with employment agencies in Chicago and beyond and other partners to provide entry-level jobs and felon-friendly jobs. Our housing partners help veterans, and underserved residents have a place to call home. Our youth program is training the next generation of leaders. Our ultimate goal is to help all of these groups thrive.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Housing Case Manager provides comprehensive individualized services to all clients that are match in the HUD/Specialized Housing Program. The Housing Case Manager will provide routine home visits and phone contacts, as established by the Director. The Housing Case Manager will assist individuals with identifying barriers to housing stability and engage in goal planning that aims to link individuals to the health and supportive resources that they need in order to achieve long-term healthcare and housing stability. The Housing Case Manager collaborates with Of Color Inc programs and all partners of All Chicago and the Special NOFA Consortium.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conducts home visits to ensure housing stability, support in development of life skills, and foster emotional support through a trauma informed and strength-based approach.
- Performs crisis prevention and interventions as needed using Harm Reduction & Trauma informed Philosophies.
- Documents in case notes & reports to direct manager any critical client issues to maximize retention.
- Utilize a holistic approach to empower participants through employment training and financial stability
- Assist clients as advocates for benefits, housing needs to include evictions, landlord negotiations and access to community resources
- Complete an assessment to create individual development plans for each client and help them to work towards their individual goals
- Work with each client to strengthen their goal plan every six months according to individual goals and objectives
- Assists clients in enrolling in public benefits such as SNAP, SOAR and Healthcare programs
- Provide clients training in the areas of personal hygiene, accessing community resources, medical adherence, household management or other needs as outlined in the client’s goal plan
- Build professional relationships with clients, providers, and community partners
- Provide follow-up to maximize the client’s ability to maintain housing after program exit
Training and Support:
- Participates in all mandatory trainings provided through Of Color Inc and partners of DFSS and All Chicago
- Attend agency meetings and training
- Seek out trainings that would enhance his/her professional development
Quality Assurance and Reporting:
- Keep records and provide reports on information and statistics regarding the delivery of services
- Complete assessments as expected by the program
- Document all client interaction in HMIS and maintain accurate paperwork/reports
- Ensure compliance with data standards and record-keeping as required by Of Color Inc and the funder
Professionalism and Work Conduct:
- Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients and staff.
- Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of the agency
- Reports to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled
- Understands and supports the standard of cultural proficiency at Of Color Inc and strives to meet this expectation
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree plus 2 years in human services, social work, psychology, or other related industries is Preferred OR Associates Degree in human services and/or similar experience plus 3+ years of direct work in the area of employment, case management and working with homeless populations
- Demonstrated ability in communication, collaboration, conflict resolution human services working with highly vulnerable clients
- A basic understanding of human behavior, motivating clients, delivery of social services; demonstrated ability in communication, collaboration, conflict resolution and employment skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Must have a valid driver’s license; job requires significant travel in the Chicago metropolitan area
- Accepts feedback and ideas from team and supervisor and is constructive when giving feedback and ideas to others
- Discusses alternative problem solving and is open to new ideas and ways of doing things
- Bilingual and housing experience preferred
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $48,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Education:
Experience:
- Social work: 2 years (Required)
- Housing Experience w/ 18-24 age population: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person