Survivor Leadership and Engagement Facilitator

Life Span empowers survivors of domestic and sexual violence to demand safety as a human right through client-centered services and leads social change through accountability, community engagement, and systemic advocacy. Life Span is seeking a Survivor Leadership and Engagement Facilitator to support the Survivor Leadership Project and its various activities at Life Span’s Chicago and Des Plaines offices.

The position is based in Chicago, a Des Plaines office work preference will be considered.

Life Span is a nationally known leader in the provision of services to victims of violence and their children. Our comprehensive services include criminal court advocacy representation in civil protective order cases, expert representation in family law cases, and counseling for survivors and their children. Our work encompasses such issues as police domestic violence, immigration, employment issues, sexual assault civil no contact orders, the effects of trauma on clients and their children, teen dating violence, human trafficking and the criminalization of survivors. Our agency has two sites, and services are available in nine languages including English, Spanish, Polish and Arabic. All services are free of charge. Our agency provides national leadership in policy work and systemic advocacy, and our staff has trained advocates, lawyers, judges, counselors and other professionals in Illinois and across the country on critical issues and innovative practices.

Life Span values staff who reflect the communities that we serve—in strengths, backgrounds and lived experiences. It is essential that our staff and leadership reflect the communities that we serve. We are committed to creating an anti- oppression framework and seek candidates who share this commitment.

Position Summary: The project facilitator implements the Survivor Leadership Project and its various activities at Life Span’s Chicago and Des Plaines offices. The Project includes organizing activities as envisioned by the survivor leadership working group, convening the group and overseeing all communications pertaining to the project and provides ongoing feedback to inform Life Span service delivery and program development. The facilitator will support survivor leaders, deliver training, participate in community outreach and education as well as cooperation with other social service providers. They will provide crisis intervention and support as needed for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related fields or equivalent experience required.
• Lived experience with gender-based violence is a strength.
• Commitment to working in the non-profit public interest sector.
• Prior experience working in a social service agency or with survivors of domestic or sexual violence.
• Cultural competency skills working with a diverse clientele.
• Bilingual language skills required.

Reports to: Human Trafficking Project Coordinator

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement survivor engagement processes and opportunities.
• Act as a liaison between survivor leadership group members and Life Span leadership.
• Develop and maintain internal and external communications regarding the survivor leadership project.
• Maintain consistent communication with members of the Survivor Leadership Group.
• Work with clients who have experienced domestic and sexual violence to develop leadership skills.
• Implement survivor story curriculum.
• Support invoicing and payment for survivor leaders in conjunction with Operations team.
• Develop monthly client newsletter for current and former clients with input from survivor leaders and staff.
• Oversee monthly Cafecito events including communications, documentation and follow up.
• Attend and facilitate training and outreach activities, particularly those focused on survivor engagement and leadership.
• Participate in planning and implementation of Client Open House events.
• Facilitate opportunities to solicit survivor feedback to inform service delivery at Life Span.
• Maintain communication with English and Spanish speaking survivors, including flyers and emails.
• Provide clients with referrals and links to other needed services.
• Work collaboratively to integrate services with all Life Span programs.
• Document survivor leadership group activities and other client interactions.
• Other duties as assigned

Location and Hours: The Survivor Leadership and Engagement Facilitator position is a full-time, 40 hours per week position. The Survivor Leadership and Engagement Facilitator will be based at the Chicago office, a Des Plaines office preference will be considered. Some time and travel between the two Life Span offices is required to successfully implement this project.