Residential Associate

For over a century, Home Sweet Home Ministries has stood as a pillar of the community and a beacon of Christ’s love for the hungry, homeless, and hopeless here in Central Illinois. It is the mission of every member of our staff and our volunteers to demonstrate Christ’s love through innovative approaches that instill hope, restore lives, and build community. We offer supportive services to those in need – providing shelter, food, case management, as well as programs including Bridge of Hope, Rapid Rehousing, and our Bread for Life Co-Op.

Now you, too, can help build upon our traditions and contribute your passion for caring for others and your desire to be a guiding light for Christ’s love to those caught in the storm by joining our dedicated team. Home Sweet Home Ministries offers employment opportunities for those with a desire to be part of a community committed to helping others.

Why Work at Home Sweet Home Ministries?

• Purpose-Driven Impact: Your work will help restore hope and dignity to individuals in our community, while sharing Christ’s love and compassion.
• Full-time Supportive Benefits Package:
  • medical, dental, vision, LTD, and life insurance
  • 403(b) retirement plan with employer match (employer match at employee one year anniversary date)
  • Sect. 125 Flexible Spending Account
  • paid time off
  • free on-site meals and beverages
  • eligible for federal public service student loan debt forgiveness program (standard restrictions of the program apply)
• Join a Caring Team: Work alongside like-minded, dedicated individuals who share your passion for serving others and making a lasting impact.

This position is located at The Bridge, a soon-to-be beautiful new community of tiny homes designed to offer warmth, dignity, and a fresh start to our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Required schedules for this 2^nd shift full-time position:

• E1: Wednesday–Sunday, 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• E2: Wednesday–Sunday, 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
• E3: Friday–Tuesday, 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• E4: Friday–Tuesday, 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Hourly Pay:  $17/hour, for this role an additional $1.25 per hour for hours that qualify for shift differential (10pm - 7am Monday-Friday, & 10pm - 8am Saturday-Sunday)

How You’ll Help Fulfill the HSHM Mission

This role supports day-to-day client services through compassionate intake and exit processing, resource distribution, and front desk hospitality. Responsibilities include orienting new residents, managing client needs for basic supplies, ensuring compliance with residential agreements, and maintaining a welcoming environment for all who enter. The role also upholds agency standards by monitoring safety, enforcing policies, conducting screenings and eligibility checks, and performing drug and alcohol testing when required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Intake/Exit Services

• Receive and process intake paperwork for assistance at point of admission

• Initiate screening process based on Client Services protocol, occupancy, and client background check

• Orient and settle client into agency residential life

• Receive and process exit paperwork upon client departure

Hospitality Services

• Distribute resources (food, toiletries, linens, etc.) to resident and non-resident clients, based on need and/or structured times

• Monitor medication/substance compliance

• Manage front desk to ensure professional and courteous response and greeting of clients, volunteers, visitors, and donors

• Warmly answer telephone calls and accurately take down messages for clients and staff

Accountability

• Monitor and enforce policies and procedures to ensure effective and safe provision of client services

• Check client eligibility before distributing resources

• Check building, grounds and client belongings to ensure safety and security

• Administer drug and alcohol testing to resident and non-resident clients as necessary

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you are looking for a role where you can blend your skills with your heart for service, Home Sweet Home Ministries is the place for you. Apply now and become part of our legacy of service, compassion, and transformation. Together, we can continue to uplift and restore lives, one person at a time.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Education and/or experience in the human services field. Experience with trauma informed principles in addressing client behavior preferred. 

• Must be able to work flexible schedules including holidays, weekends, evenings, and possibly overnight hours. 

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Outlook, Word, Excel) 

• Well organized and self-motivated, and able to multi-task and effectively function in a high stress environment. 

• Ability to demonstrate empathy, cultural competency, and a Christ-centered focus. 

• Able to identify client need and apply agency or community resources to meet that need, while balancing operational demands with client-centered service. 

• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality. 

• Able to set and observe appropriate personal limits and boundaries. 

• Excellent problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills. 

• Demonstrate good written and verbal communication 

• Actively involved in the Christian faith. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to sit.  The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.