Community Life and Resident Services Manager

About Thrive for Life: The mission of Thrive For Life Prison Project is to transform lives both behind and beyond the prison walls. At Thrive For Life, we envision a world where educational opportunities provide a clear and attainable pathway to a successful and permanent re-entry for people coming out of prison. Our long-term ambition is to establish houses of studies across the country—residential communities where formerly incarcerated individuals can live together in a supportive living community while pursuing their education and growing into the loving and generous people God created them to be.

Our holistic suite of services is built upon four foundational pillars: purpose, education, employment, and housing. Each of these pillars is essential in guiding individuals through their re-entry journey, but it is the secret ingredient of community that binds them together. It is only in community that we can truly flourish and thrive in life.

Position Overview: The Community Life and Resident Services Manager is responsible for fostering a supportive, structured, and empowering residential community for women participating in Thrive for Life's Milwaukee programs. Serving as the primary navigator and advocate for residents, the Community Life and Resident Services Manager helps women develop and achieve educational, personal, financial, vocational, and housing goals while promoting accountability, dignity, and long-term success.

The Community Life and Resident Services Manager cultivates a safe and welcoming community where women are encouraged to pursue continued education, personal growth, and greater independence. Through individualized support, community-building, resource coordination, and goal planning, this position helps residents develop the skills, confidence, and stability necessary to thrive beyond their time in the program.

Working collaboratively with Thrive for Life staff, community partners, educational institutions, and service providers, the Community Life and Resident Services Manager supports residents in advancing along pathways toward self-sufficiency, meaningful employment, stable housing, and lifelong learning.

Because this is a residential program, the Community Life and Resident Services Manager is expected to be available outside of regular business hours to respond to rare resident emergencies, urgent facility issues, and other situations requiring leadership or coordination.

Key Responsibilities

Resident Scholars Admissions and Navigation

• Develop and maintain relationships with referral agencies and service providers.
• Receive and review resident applications.
• Conduct interviews and assess prospective residents.
• Make recommendations regarding admissions and discharges.
• Coordinate resident onboarding and orientation.
• Maintain resident records and documentation.

Resident Success and Educational Advancement

• Conduct regular individual meetings with residents.
• Review schedules, goals, and progress toward personal objectives.
• Monitor participation in required support meetings and programs.
• Support educational, employment, and financial goals.
• Encourage and monitor savings and financial responsibility.
• Coordinate access to mental health, medical, recovery, educational, employment, and housing resources.
• Assist residents in navigating external service systems.
• Support residents during periods of crisis and transition.

Community Life

• Facilitate regular community meetings.
• Coordinate activities, outings, and community-building opportunities.
• Foster a community grounded in dignity, accountability, personal responsibility, and mutual support.
• Promote a safe and welcoming environment for all residents.
• Develop, assign, and oversee the household chore schedule, ensuring responsibilities are completed consistently and promoting shared accountability for maintaining the home.
• Work collaboratively with Catholic Workers, volunteers, and community partners.

Volunteer Coordination

• Welcome and orient volunteers serving at the house.
• Coordinate volunteer activities related to resident programming and community life.
• Serve as a liaison between residents and volunteers.
• Support the integration of volunteers into the life of the community.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate resident records and case notes on Monday.com.
• Prepare reports and updates as requested.
• Participate in staff meetings and case conferences.
• Collaborate with Thrive for Life staff and community partners to ensure continuity of care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, human services, or a related field required; Master of Social Work (MSW) preferred.
• Three to five years of experience working with vulnerable populations, trauma survivors, or individuals in recovery.
• Experience working with diverse populations; experience with justice-impacted individuals preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain professional boundaries while building authentic relationships.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Monday.com (or similar case management/database systems), Canva, and social media platforms preferred.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Thrive for Life.
• Comfortable working within a Roman Catholic, mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, human services, or a related field required; Master of Social Work (MSW) preferred.
• Three to five years of experience working with vulnerable populations, trauma survivors, or individuals in recovery.
• Experience working with diverse populations; experience with justice-impacted individuals preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain professional boundaries while building authentic relationships.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Monday.com (or similar case management/database systems), Canva, and social media platforms preferred.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Thrive for Life.
• Comfortable working within a Roman Catholic, mission-driven environment.