Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports they need to thrive. We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 160 integrated programs in: Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services. We reach more than 65,000 individuals and families each year at our 90 locations, including 10,000 youth. CAMBA serves a diverse cross section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families are in living in poverty, reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.

CAMBA’s Magnolia House Women’s Shelter, located in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, serves 200 single women at any given time. The majority of these clients are diagnosed with mental illness, some dually with chemical addictions as well.

Position: Client Advocate

Reports To: Clinical Supervisor

Location: 1424 Herkimer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11233

What the Client Advocate Does:

• Assist program staff by being a client liaison with outside organizations regarding such matters as housing, education, healthcare, social services, legal issues, etc.
• Assist clients in attaining their goals by identifying and locating community resources and by referring clients to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA.
• Plan, coordinate and facilitate social/peer support events, including group facilitation for clients to promote wellness and recovery.
• Assist clients in developing skills intended to improve: mental health, physical health, activities of daily living (ADL), resistance to alcohol and other drug use and self-advocacy.
• Assist clients in recognizing their own individual warning signs of relapse and identifying and developing individual coping strategies.
• In collaboration with the case managers, work with clients to break through barriers to client goals and to assist clients in advocating for themselves, specifically in the treatment and recovery process, and in moving toward self-sufficiency.
• Prepare marketing materials for the program.
• Escort clients to appointments (housing, educational, medical, social service, etc.).
• Assist clients in completing applications for benefits and entitlements, and may process applications on clients’ behalf.
• Contact clients via telephone, mail and/or face-to-face office visits to ensure adherence to program, and document via progress notes.

Minimum Education/Experience Required:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. and two (2) years of applicable experience and/or equivalent experience

Other Requirements:

• Applicable experience working with either homelessness, mental health or substance use populations.
• May be required to become First Aid/CPR certified.
• May be required to become certified in overdose prevention.
• Bi-lingual preferred.
  

Compensation: $15.30 hourly
Status: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Benefits: CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.

CAMBA is a City contractor that provides services where employees can be expected to physically interact with members of the public. All CAMBA staff are subject to the City’s October 21, 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate, whether they have direct involvement with members of the public, or they support others who have direct involvement.

All new hires must provide proof of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus, unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation for religious or medical reasons. If you are offered employment at CAMBA, this requirement must be met by your date of hire, unless a reasonable accommodation is received and approved by CAMBA.

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