Group Leader (Corner House)

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults through-out Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families. The Isaacs Center focuses primarily on the needs of children and low-income families, out-of-school and out-of-work youth, and aging New Yorkers. We operate at community centers located in the neighborhoods of East Harlem and Yorkville, and seek to deliver programs that are impactful, innovative, and intergenerational.

Program Description: Goddard Riverside’s Corner House provides affordable, permanent supportive housing for 34 previously homeless adults many of whom have mental illness, substance use, and other co-occurring disorders. Goddard Riverside’s West 140th also provides affordable, permanent supportive housing for 48 previously homeless adults of whom have mental illness, substance use, and other co-occurring disorders. Both provides on-site services include case management, entitlement assistance, medical and psychiatric care, substance use counseling, group activities, recreation, and 24 hour/7 day per week front desk security.

Position Summary: The Group Leader is expected to plan and lead assigned activity groups using a strengths-based, client-centered approach to support social support, inclusion, skill development, wellness, and recreation to reduce social isolation, to support the rehabilitation services provided and promote community among tenants and maintain permanent housing.

Schedule: Monday-Friday 10am-6pm

Salary Range: $44,172.30- $51,000

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate’s number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Roles, Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Group Work

• Develop curriculum and groups to promote inclusion, wellness, education and recreation based on client interest and need
• Facilitate onsite therapeutic activity groups such as cooking and laundry that promote community and independence within the building
• Creates and maintain program schedule and calendar of activities, events, and trips
• Creates a platform for tenants to discuss/improve social relationships
• Heat and serve meals
• Prepare and serve nutritious meals for program participants.
• Provide social groups that assist tenants in the development of/improvement of daily living skills
• Facilitate monthly tenant advocacy meeting and work with tenants to incorporate ideas into programming.
• Coordinates recreational events and trips to encourage socialization, inclusion, and reduce isolation
• · Develop activities that promote training and educational skills
• Coordinate wellness groups and activities with outside service providers such as the psychotherapist/CASAC, nutritionist, blood pressure monitor etc.
• Coordinate outdoor activities with tenants i.e., cookouts, gardening
• Provide escorts in the community to facilitate wellness and maintain housing as needed
• Work as part of Social Service Team (sharing with case managers) to ensure continuity of services.
• Provides other tasks and functions as deemed necessary to assure the provision of quality social, recreational, and educational services to all tenants

2. Case Management

• Provide case management to a small caseload of tenants, which includes helping to procure/ maintain entitlements, medical and psychiatric treatment, and basic support in maintaining housing.
• Maintain all documentation according to standards established by funding sources and the agency.
• Provide escorts to health and housing appointments as needed

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Education, Psychology, or related field
• Experience working with homeless or formerly homeless individuals preferred
• Experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness, substance use, and/or co-occurring disorders preferred
• Experience developing, implementing, and facilitating groups strongly preferred
• NYS Food Handlers License within 6 months of employment

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Understanding of Housing First philosophy
• Team Player
• Strong organizational skills
• Creative, flexible, skilled in working hard to engage clients

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be:

• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook and Excel
• Able to use or learn computer databases such as AWARDS

Physical Requirements

• Some walking and travel to escort clients to various appointments throughout the city and on recreational trips
• Able to lift 30 to 50 Ibs
• Alternate between standing and sitting
• Climbing stairs
• Lifting or carrying

Work Environment

• Mostly indoor office setting. Regular visits to client apartments are also required. Some travel.

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.