Community Health Worker
Title: Community Health Worker
Unit: Drop-in Center
Reports to: Program Manager
Status: Full Time, Regular, Non-Exempt
Salary Range: $24.73 - $27.47 per hour [Approximately 45K-50K annually]
Location: Based in Long Island City, with travel throughout New York City
Days/Hours: 8am – 4pm Weekdays
Organization Overview:
The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.
Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens.
Position Summary: Responsible for escorting participants to various appointments, assisting in picking up newly released participants from Rikers Island, conduct outreach
Core Competencies:
Mission and Fit: Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.
LGBTQ+ Affirming and Inclusive Practice: Provides inclusive, affirming, and respectful services to LGBTQ+ participants, with particular awareness of the heightened risks faced by LGBTQ+ justice impacted individuals.
Harm Reduction: Applies harm reduction principles to support participant health, safety, and engagement without judgment or coercion.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Accompany Transitional Specialist with picking up newly released clients from Rikers Island
- Conduct client escort as needed by public transportation or agency vehicle to various appointments
- Assist with follow-up on participant referrals to ensure connection to necessary services
- Advocacy on participants’ behalf as needed
- Conduct follow-up with participants via telephone and outreach home visits
- Enter progress notes into The Fortune Society’s proprietary database
- Perform other duties as assigned