AmeriCorps Children's Services Advocacy Initiative at Peace House

Are you ready to make a lasting impact by championing the rights of children affected by domestic violence and sexual assault? Join the Peace House host site, through AmeriCorps, where we're launching a groundbreaking Children's Services Advocacy Initiative to extend our support to the youngest survivors.

For nearly three decades, Peace House has been at the forefront of community-based advocacy, providing comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Now, we're expanding our focus to address the urgent needs of children who faced violence and are unhoused.

As the sole designated service provider in Summit County and the most accessible option for significant portions of Wasatch County, we're committed to breaking down barriers to care for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by violence. Our services extend to any individual impacted by interpersonal violence, including secondary survivors like family members.

As a Children's Services Advocate, you'll play a crucial role in shaping the future of our program. Collaborating closely with the Director of Children's Services, you'll create a pathway for healing and resilience for children impacted by violence.

Join us in our mission to create a future free from violence and fear. Apply now and be a part of the transformative journey at Peace House.

Peace House is a charitable organization dedicated to ending interpersonal violence and abuse and empowering survivors to heal and thrive by providing support services, safe housing, and prevention education. Peace House is located in Park City, UT. Peace House is an equal opportunity agency.

TITLE:

Peace House Children's Services Advocate

AMERICORPS PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

Are you looking to make a difference in your community? Salt Lake County's Most Vulnerable Populations AmeriCorps Program focuses on reducing systematic inequities. Our members help bridge the gap and reduce barriers for a variety of vulnerable populations including but not limited to; youth, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those involved in the Criminal Justice System. AmeriCorps is a voluntary civil society program supported by the U.S. federal government, foundations, corporations, and other donors by engaging adults in public service serve, with a goal of helping others and meeting critical needs in the community. "The program is often seen as the domestic Peace Corps."

This is a great opportunity if you are a student enrolled in:

· Social Serve/Services

· Early Childhood Education

· Psychology

· Public Health

· Sociology

· Humanities

· Non-profit organization and management

· Anyone interested in Community and Social Impact

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

· Gain hands-on experience serving to end cycles of violence within family systems.

· Increase protective factors for children in early childhood.

· Become familiar with trauma-informed care and child-centered programming for children recovering from trauma.

· Collaborate with parents to support the development of their children.

· Learn to solve complex situations with professionalism, empathy, and from a client-centered perspective.

· Receive close mentorship and professional development from field experts.

SUPERVISION:

· Weekly check-in with supervisor.

· Participate in quarterly training.

· Receive crisis counselor certification.

· Receive a mid-term and a final evaluation.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: As part of our strategic plan, we're enhancing services for children impacted by the co-occurring challenges of domestic violence and housing instability. AmeriCorps members will engage in child-focused activities, contributing to the launch of our Children's Advocacy program, supporting children facing these complex circumstances.

Key Responsibilities:

· Enga e children in safe and supportive activities, promoting healing and resilience.

· Facilitate age-appropriate interventions like story time, art groups, and safety planning sessions.

· Connect children to extended services within Peace House, ensuring access to resources.

· Collaborate with the Prevention & Education team to offer evidence-based curriculums.

· Maintain electronic files and contribute to quarterly reports for program improvement.

Desired Qualifications:

· Passion for helping children and families impacted by violence.

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills, adaptable to different age groups.

· Commitment to confidentiality and cultural competency.

· Ability to perform key responsibilities independently and collaboratively.

· Experience in social services or related field preferred.

· Understanding of issues facing unhoused individuals.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Suites.

Training:

· Attend weekly meetings and agency training sessions.

· Participate in AmeriCorps orientation and monitoring visits.

· Engage in service projects with other AmeriCorps members.

Minimum Requirements:

· Clear background checks.

· Current First Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain within first month.

· High School Diploma or equivalent.

· Follow state and federal laws on victim confidentiality.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

· Proactive problem-solving abilities.

· Effective verbal and written communication skills.

· Ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders.

· Commitment to client confidentiality and cultural humility.

· Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with agency partners.

· Duties and responsibilities may evolve with program needs.

REPORTS TO: Director of Children's Services

HOST SITE LOCATION: Park City, Utah

HOST SITE ENVIRONMENT:

This service position operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

· While performing the duties of this service position, when engaged in services with children, the AmeriCorps member is regularly required to: Stand, reach, bend down, kneel, sit, walk, run, crouch, talk, and listen/hear.

· While performing administrative duties of this service position, the AmeriCorps member is regularly required to use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.

· Specific vision abilities required by this service position include close vision requirements due to computer operation.

· Light to moderate lifting is required (up to 40 lbs.)

· Additional physical demands include serving snacks, light cleaning duties (wiping tables/counters, sweeping, dishes, and kid-created messes). Ability to maintain professionalism and uphold the stress of secondary trauma exposure (hearing accounts of trauma from a parent or child client's perspective).

· Regular, predictable attendance is required.

· Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.