Overview:

The Women’s Justice Institute (WJI), a program of A Safe Haven Foundation (ASHF), seeks to hire a

Reclamation Specialist for Care Coordination to provide support at the WJI Reclamation Center. The

Reclamation Center, located on the Pilsen Arts Corridor of Chicago, is one of the first peer-led, arts,

advocacy, mutual support and training centers of its kind. It was recently designated as the women’s

reentry hub of the city, and the WJI is seeking to hire a care coordinator to provide trauma-informed,

gender responsive, family-centered and holistic support services to the system-impacted women (and

those identifying as women) seeking support with reentry or involvement with the criminal legal system,

referrals to services, women’s healing circle work, coaching, training and community-building initiatives.

Eligibility Criteria

Formerly incarcerated women are very strongly encouraged to apply, as this is a peer-led position for a

mutual support program led by/for formerly incarcerated women. A philosophy centered on leading

with love is a must for this work. The ideal qualifications include, but are not limited to:

Culture

o Passion for working with/for system-impacted women and gender expansion individuals

o Deep compassion and understanding of the challenges faced by system-impacted women, and

strong desire to change systems and end women’s mass incarceration

o Must work well on a team and embrace a collaborative approach to the work, including an ability

to conduct outreach, build partnerships and engage providers in an effective manner

o Must have strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills

Communications & Organizational Skills

o Excellent verbal communication skills, including an ability to communicate and deliver services in a

trauma-informed manner

o Ability to write effective emails, case notes and progress reports

o Must be able to make, track and reliably manage multiple appointments

o Must have the ability to advocate for clients and the strong follow up skills to ensure that

commitments are kept to them and well-documented in an organized manner

o Strong computer skills, ability to operate a computer, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Virtual

Meetings, and reliably learn and operate an electronic case management system.

Knowledge & Experience

o Prior experience with providing case management/care coordination, as well as conducting

screening/assessments, with/for system-impacted women is strongly preferred – including lived

experience equivalent to traditional work experience.

o Prior experience facilitating women’s programs, circles and/or support groups

o Practical knowledge of the landscape of community-based providers and organizations throughout

the Chicago Metro Region

o Experience with community outreach, advocacy and partnership development

o Clinical experience, CADC certification, Certified Peer Recovery Specialists, and other certifications

are ideal, but not required

o Strong work ethic and willingness to learn is a requirement

Other

o All candidates must provide their own transportation and a personal vehicle is due to the nature of

care coordination activities. Candidates that do not have access to a vehicle may apply, but a plan

for addressing client engagement must be addressed.

o All candidates must be willing to work in a team environment that periodically involves setting up

events, moving light furniture, printing materials and welcoming guests and partners to the center.

Hours & Location

The position will be primarily based at the WJI Reclamation Center, 2150 South Canalport, Suite 4A5-

4A11, Chicago, but will require the flexibility to attend various appointments with/for participants

throughout the Chicago Metro Area and at jails and women’s prison facilities for programming.

Opportunities to work virtually will be offered periodically, but on a case-by-case basis.

o The position is full-time and will require an average of 40 hours per week, but be more or less

depending on coverage of evening and weekend events and workload.

o The ability to work in a dynamic environment that may require flexibility is a must for this position

due to the nature of case management and community engagement work in social justice spaces.

o Office hours are 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, but require work evenings and weekends as needed.

This includes, but is not limited to, helping facilitate Reclamation Circles at least once per month on

Saturdays, and providing staff support for the Reunification Ride, a bus ride connecting Chicago

children with their incarcerated mothers one Saturday per month.

o While the ideal candidate will work full-time, those interested in part-time work may apply.

Salary & Benefits

The position pays an average salary of $45-52,000/year (negotiable and based on experience and skills

match for the position). Reimbursements for travel, supplies or purchases must be approved in advance.

While the ideal candidate will address the majority of the position requirements, more entry level

positions involving a greater amount of staff development and training may be considered.

Scope of Work

The Reclamation Specialist will primarily focus on care coordination services for participants in various

programs supported by the WJI, which may include, but not be limited to: outreach and engagement at

jails, prisons and community programs, individual screening and assessments, case management,

development of personalized plans and goals, community outreach and partnership development,

facilitation of circle work and other mutual support activities, as well as participation in workshops,

panels and conferences.

In addition to care coordination services, all Reclamation Specialists collaborate as a team to support

various Reclamation Center events and initiatives, public awareness activities, workshops, partnerships,

trainings and community-building work.

Training Requirements

The ideal candidate will have completed training on gender responsive, trauma-informed and family-

centered practices or equivalent experience. Other certifications that help improve the ability of a

candidate to engage system-impacted women in a holistic, supported and culturally responsive manner

are very favorable. Importantly, the WJI places high value on lived experience, and also offers all new

employees access to cutting-edge trainings as a job requirement.

Women's Justice Institute (WJI)

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