Job Title: YHSI Equity Audit Fellow
Location: Berks/Lancaster/York
Job Type: Part-time/Hybrid
Organization: Alvernia University
About Us:
Alvernia University was founded in 1958 by the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Through its main campus in Reading and locations in Philadelphia and Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the university serves 3,000 students of diverse backgrounds from around the country.
Alvernia offers a unique blend of rigorous liberal arts core education for developing the mind, strong technical training in many high-demand majors, experiential learning through study abroad and internship experiences, and engagement with the community through our Franciscan-based community service model. We call our model of transformational education the Alvernia Advantage, and we believe this style of education transforms students into ethical leaders with moral courage.
Alvernia University ranks in the top 100 among 2021 Best Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, and we are recognized as a College of Distinction for our commitment to engaged experiential education.
Position Overview:
The YHSI Equity Audit Fellow will utilize their lived experience with homelessness to provide guidance, support, and advocacy for individuals currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This role is integral to our outreach efforts, helping to bridge the gap between service providers and the community by fostering trust and understanding. Equity Audit fellow will receive ongoing training, mentorship, and supervision from the Project Manager. The position offers a valuable opportunity for professional development and meaningful contributions to creating a positive social impact. Fellow’s lived experience with homelessness will help shape how we address challenges and create programs. As a grant-funded, 30-month position, applicants should note that this role may be time-limited based on the availability of funds.
Key Responsibilities:
- Help review and evaluate organizational practices, policies, and programs to ensure fairness and identify any gaps.
- Collect and study information to understand equity goals.
- Write reports that are easy to understand and include suggestions for making improvements.
- Work with different community partners to listen to their ideas and include their feedback.
- Work with the team to set goals and track progress over time.
- Assist in facilitating discussions and initiatives that contribute to the improvement of the youth homeless response system.
- Collaborate with the Project Manager to prepare regular reports on program progress and impact.
- Assist in fostering collaboration among participating organizations for a unified approach to addressing youth homelessness.
- Contribute to the collections of community feedback to inform program development and improvement.
- Collaborate with the Project Manager to identify systemic disparities affecting marginalized populations
- Work together with the team to help design programs that address the specific needs of youths experiencing homelessness, drawing from personal insights and community feedback.
- Engage with coalition and community partners to build relationships and provide information about available resources.
- Participate in and provide support for Youth Action Board (YAB) meetings in Berks, Lancaster, and York Counties.
- Take part in YHSI meetings
- Attend and participate in individual and group supervision
Qualifications:
- Lived experience with homelessness and an understanding of the unique challenges and barriers faced by individuals in this community.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport, foster trust, and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders and communities.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Knowledge of local resources and services for individuals experiencing homelessness is a plus.
- Proficiency in basic computer skills, including documentation, data entry, and reporting, with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license.
- Bilingual candidates in Spanish are strongly preferred.
Benefits:
- Fellow will be offered limited health benefits: Our health benefits are designed to provide you with comprehensive care, specifically available at Alvernia's Penn Medicine location. Please note that these benefits are limited to the services offered at this facility.
- Fellow will receive training on equity, diversity, and inclusion concepts.
- Fellow will be given additional reading materials to help enhance understanding and support from training.
- Hands-on instruction on how to conduct equity audits.
- Training on how to research and understand different research approaches.
- Mileage reimbursement.