Summary of Position: The Life Skills House Mentor will utilize a strengths-based, harm reduction focused approach to improve participants' ability to live independently and accomplish daily responsibilities after leaving Our House. Our House is a transitional living program (TLP) in Evanston, Illinois for youth ages 18 to 24 who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. The TLP model is one in which young adults share a home and receive case management and clinical support to help them transition to independent living. The house is staffed 24 hours a day. The Life Skills House Mentor provides evening coverage from 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM and is responsible for relationship and community building with participants.
Specific Duties:
Life Skills Coaching and Program Development
- Provide one-on-one coaching to participants to support the development of day-to-day living skills and improve participants' ability to perform daily responsibilities, including but not limited to housekeeping, laundry, and hygiene.
- Proactively collaborate with staff to address barriers to participants' independence, including providing referrals and support around disordered clutter, squalor, and concerns related to the health and safety of participants' rooms.
- Support the development and maintenance of a tenancy skills manual.
- Work with agency staff and local community organizations or groups to develop and facilitate life skills group programming that emphasizes housekeeping skills and hygiene, but may also include health, financial literacy, food literacy, relationship building, self-esteem, employment skills, and tenants' rights.
- Continually develop a roster of events, in collaboration with participants and Our House staff, that will engage and attract participants.
- Work with case managers to encourage participant engagement in life skills programming and coordinate related activities at Our House.
Participant Support and House Operations
- Maintain a physically and emotionally safe living environment.
- Build community among program participants.
- Develop and maintain positive, professional relationships with participants while maintaining appropriate boundaries consistent with agency policies and program expectations.
- Oversee participant activities, check chores, and model independent living skills. Respond to and de-escalate participant conflicts and crises within the scope of training and agency protocols, escalating concerns when necessary.
- Prompt participants to complete their assigned daily chores by providing reminders, encouragement, and positive reinforcement. Offer hands-on support when needed to demonstrate or assist with tasks such as cleaning, organizing shared spaces, or using household tools. Monitor completion of chores, address any patterns of non-compliance respectfully, and document all follow-up actions related to house rule adherence.
- Maintain a safe and clean environment at the house, which may include cleaning dishes, mopping floors, completing bathroom maintenance, and ensuring needed supplies are stocked for such maintenance.
- Serve as the on-site point of contact during the shift for external visitors such as delivery drivers, maintenance workers, or scheduled services, including food, supplies, or facility needs.
Documentation, Communication, and Program Coordination
- Support the Youth Programs Manager with coordination and communication of staffing coverage needs for Our House's 24/7 operations.
- Complete required documentation, including shift logs, incident reports, maintenance requests, timely client record updates, and entry of appropriate data and services into designated systems, including HMIS.
- Communicate regularly with all Our House staff, including the Youth Programs Manager, Case Managers, and agency leadership.
- Coordinate with the Youth Programs Manager to support program operations, including facility maintenance and the stocking of necessary supplies and food.
- Complete all required trainings, maintain certifications as needed, and participate in regular Our House staff meetings and other agency meetings as assigned.
- Adhere to the Code of Conduct and Core Values of Connections for the Homeless.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
The following qualifications are requirements for the position:
- High school graduate or equivalent
- 1 to 3 years of experience working with youth in social services settings or comparable lived experience that will translate into transferable skills.
- Experience working with adolescents and young adults from diverse populations.
- Demonstrated competencies in harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and positive youth development.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain professional boundaries, exercise sound judgment, respond appropriately to conflict, and work independently in a residential or participant-facing environment.
Other Requirements:
- Ability to operate kitchen equipment.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, navigate stairs, bend and reach, and lift or carry household supplies and equipment as needed.
- Must submit to a criminal background check and submit to or provide evidence of a recent test for tuberculosis.
Highly desirable qualifications:
- Knowledge of Restorative Justice principles and practices.
- Ability to provide conflict mediation.
