Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen
Peer Support Specialist
Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, New Haven, Connecticut, us, 06540
PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTDowntown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) seeks a friendly individual who self-identifies as in recovery from substance use and who has experienced housing instability or homelessness to provide warm and responsive services to people who use drugs and/or are unhoused. Appropriate candidates will be sensitive to the strains of homelessness and addiction, and responsible, ethical, and empathetic. The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will conduct onsite outreach at DESK’s Drop-in & Resource Center, as well as offsite, field outreach. Steeped in a harm reduction philosophy, the PSS will work with DESK’s Client Engagement Specialist to build trust with people who have been disengaged.
Core Responsibilities
Client Engagement – The PSS conducts onsite and offsite outreach, meeting people where they are, locally.
Basic Needs Provision – The PSS facilitates access to a variety of basic needs offered both in-house and through partnering or mainstream providers.
Harm Reduction Interventions – The PSS provides supplies, educational materials, and consultation on various supplies and intervention to lessen a variety of harms, particularly those related to drug-use. The PSS is also knowledgeable of area treatment options and facilitates enrollment for interested clients without judgment, stigma, or
Bridge Case Management – The PSS connects clients to the network of services available in our region to people experiencing homelessness or struggling with substance use, and provides light-touch assistance with vital document retention, transportation needs, specialist referrals, and applications for housing, employment, or income assistance.
Other duties will be assigned by the supervisor in support of DESK’s mission as needed.
Must-haves
Lived experience: in recovery from substance use
Lived experience: housing instability or homelessness
Friendly & courteous
Works well under stress
Enthusiasm for mission
2+ years of relevant experience
Nice-to-haves
Experience working with people experiencing homelessness and/or mental health or substance abuse disorders
Knowledge of recovery-based supports (both traditional and non-traditional)
Knowledge of medication-based treatment for Opioid Use Disorder as a pathway to recovery
Experience providing basic needs
CompensationStarting hourly rate will be $19.57 - $22.32, based on experience and background, plus health and life insurance.
How to ApplyCandidates can apply via one of the following options:
Email a cover letter and résumé to hr@deskct.org with “PSS Application” in the subject line.
Complete an application form by hand and deliver to 151 East Street, Suite 201, New Haven, CT 06510.
DESK is an equal opportunity employer who affirms and values greatly the role of diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and lifestyles.
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Core Responsibilities
Client Engagement – The PSS conducts onsite and offsite outreach, meeting people where they are, locally.
Basic Needs Provision – The PSS facilitates access to a variety of basic needs offered both in-house and through partnering or mainstream providers.
Harm Reduction Interventions – The PSS provides supplies, educational materials, and consultation on various supplies and intervention to lessen a variety of harms, particularly those related to drug-use. The PSS is also knowledgeable of area treatment options and facilitates enrollment for interested clients without judgment, stigma, or
Bridge Case Management – The PSS connects clients to the network of services available in our region to people experiencing homelessness or struggling with substance use, and provides light-touch assistance with vital document retention, transportation needs, specialist referrals, and applications for housing, employment, or income assistance.
Other duties will be assigned by the supervisor in support of DESK’s mission as needed.
Must-haves
Lived experience: in recovery from substance use
Lived experience: housing instability or homelessness
Friendly & courteous
Works well under stress
Enthusiasm for mission
2+ years of relevant experience
Nice-to-haves
Experience working with people experiencing homelessness and/or mental health or substance abuse disorders
Knowledge of recovery-based supports (both traditional and non-traditional)
Knowledge of medication-based treatment for Opioid Use Disorder as a pathway to recovery
Experience providing basic needs
CompensationStarting hourly rate will be $19.57 - $22.32, based on experience and background, plus health and life insurance.
How to ApplyCandidates can apply via one of the following options:
Email a cover letter and résumé to hr@deskct.org with “PSS Application” in the subject line.
Complete an application form by hand and deliver to 151 East Street, Suite 201, New Haven, CT 06510.
DESK is an equal opportunity employer who affirms and values greatly the role of diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and lifestyles.
#J-18808-Ljbffr