Description

Organization Overview

Nourishing Hope is a dynamic Chicago nonprofit providing food and social services for anyone in need. Founded in 1970, we’re one of the largest and longest operating hunger relief organizations in Chicago. We also provide free, trauma-informed mental health counseling and other social services, such as job and housing assistance. We strive to serve the needs of the whole person — with respect and dignity, always.

Nourishing Hope offers our neighbors nutritious food using a choice-based distribution model and access to life-changing social services including:

Monthly food distribution and additional produce pickup through five different food access programs;
Home delivery services for older adults, home bound neighbors and neighbors living with disabilities;
Social services including case management, mental health counseling, job search support, domestic violence intervention, referrals and public benefits assistance (SNAP, healthcare, government forms) for anyone in need.

Nourishing Hope serves tens of thousands of people each year, providing more than 4 million meals through our programs, in addition to partnerships with other community organizations. This year, Nourishing Hope will provide about 200,000 food and social services to our Chicago neighbors.

Position Summary

This position’s primary responsibility is to coordinate and implement all case management services provided through Nourishing Hope’s Social Services and Mental Wellness Programs specifically through the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Mental Health Equity Initiative (MHEI) grant; including, but not limited to: client outreach, direct service through scheduled appointments, and case management services.  

This position will also have an opportunity to develop programs and provide services through other avenues within the Social Services department and will support the Manager of Social Services in program tracking, assessment, evaluation, and reporting to the greater Nourishing Hope community.  

Schedule and Locations

This position will split time between the Nourishing Hope’s Sheridan location (3945 N. Sheridan Road), and Nourishing Hope’s Headquarters (1716 W. Hubbard) as required by programs, with the opportunity to work remote 1 day per week.

Essential Job Functions

• Coordinate all incoming client requests for social services programs, through mental wellness services, drop-in, online market, and other Nourishing Hope food programs, and either follow up with clients directly to provide case management services or assign clients to fellow team members (staff and interns) as appropriate for follow up.
• Case management includes, but is not limited to: coordinating health care with primary care providers, crisis intervention, domestic violence safety planning, financial assistance, transportation assistance, housing support, employment support, applying for and maintaining public benefits (Medicaid, Cash Assistance, SNAP), connecting to mental health services, and providing resources to families and children.
• Coordinate with local social service providers/case managers to provide social services to clients and refer clients to appropriate services as assessed.
• Continuously assess trends in client and community needs and develop specialized programs to meet identified gaps in services in collaboration with the Manager of Social Services.
• Implement targeted programs to identified, high-risk populations as assigned, and collaborate with the Nourishing Hope program team to external and internal programs, including, but not limited to: services provided through partnerships, career programs, and special events.
• Maintain accurate client case records that include assessments, interventions, service plans, and case notes in hard files and in Azzly and Salesforce as appropriate. Complete additional reporting requirements as requested by the Manager of Social Services.
• Administer IM CANS assessment to Medicaid clients when needed.
• Respond to inquiries from the community members about all Nourishing Hope services and refer to internal and external programs as appropriate.
• Stay informed on local, state, and federal policies and trends and the impact on clients.
• Help support and train master’s level social work students in day-to-day activities as assigned by the Manager of Social Services.
• Participate in community meetings, trainings, gatherings, and events to act as a steward on behalf of Nourishing Hope and to seek resources that can be helpful for clients.
• Work collaboratively with all Nourishing Hope team members, recognizing the importance of each department and role to ultimately provide quality services to Nourishing Hope clients.

Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in human services field required
• Minimum one year experience working in a human services setting and engaged in direct client work.
• Strong human relations skills
• Understanding of the widespread impact of food insecurity and a willingness to work as a part of a team to ensure access to food and support services for all
• Understanding of the impact of social determinants, institutionalized discrimination, structural inequality, and oppression of social groups including but not limited to: race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, religion, age, and ability status, and the ability to identify how systems have impacted clients and intervene accordingly
• Understanding of and belief in the importance of trauma-informed care practice
• Creative and motivated self-starter
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Proven ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to handle volatile situations calmly, professionally, and respectfully

Highly Preferred

• Master’s degree
• Bilingual Spanish