Community Advocate

Position Title

Community Advocate

Reports To: Director of Programs (DoP)

Basic Function

CUMAC is one of the largest, anti-hunger organizations in Passaic County. CUMAC's mission is to fight hunger and its root causes through a holistic, trauma-informed approach that provides groceries and basic needs to families and individuals in need.

The Community Advocate (CA) reports to the Director of Programs and is primarily responsible for supporting CUMAC’s Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC) and Freedom Village. Specifically, the CA will help eligible seniors and adults living with a disability apply for public benefits/public assistance. Currently, CUMAC’s BEC focuses on the following benefits: Medicaid, Medicare Savings Program, Medicare Part D Extra Help, SNAP (formerly food stamps), LIHEAP, Lifeline, and emergency rental assistance.

Freedom Village is CUMAC’s satellite Choice Marketplace and socialization program at Freedom Village apartments. The CA’s work with Freedom Village will involve increasing access to healthy, nutritious foods and necessities for senior residents while also furthering healthy and balanced relationships through programming. CUMAC’s BEC and Freedom Village are part of CUMAC’s Client Services Interactive (CSI), vision-guided programming that looks beyond food needs and asks our clients what they need and then finds holistic solutions for those needs.

*This is an “on call” position that may require occasional work after normal business hours including evenings/nights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC)

• Perform assessments to identify clients’ needs and develop a plan to address those needs.
• For identified benefits needs within BEC’s benefits acceptance list, help clients apply for benefits.
• Help clients re-certify their benefits.
• For identified needs outside of CUMAC’s services, help connect clients with resources.
• Work with CUMAC’s Home Deliveries program to screen and provide services to eligible clients.
• Use CUMAC’s Google Workspace (Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc.) to track outcomes, input data, organize clients’ case files, document case notes, and related information and record keeping.
• Using tracked data, submit monthly reports to funders and the CUMAC Programs Team.
• Identify and develop relationships with social services and government agencies to build a strong network of partners that CUMAC clients can be referred to for additional services.
• As needed, work with the CUMAC Development Team on tracking client outcomes and storytelling.
• Undertake outreach for new clients.

Freedom Village (FREV)

• Prepare for and support the monthly food distribution at Freedom Village.
• Complete regular inventory and food/supplies replenishment at the Freedom Village Choice Marketplace.
• Plan and execute socialization activities and programming for Freedom Village residents.

Support for all CUMAC Programs and Needs

• Work with the Programs Team to identify client needs as they arise.
• Learn about and remain current on N.E.A.R. Science and self-healing communities.
• Keep track of time and efforts spent supporting other CUMAC programs.
• Report to the Director of Programs any potentially emerging risk situations and provide documentation in a timely manner.
• Clearly and regularly communicate to build consensus and ensure all staff work together.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent experience. Professional certification(s) and/or an Associate’s degree in

social work, human services, or related field with at least three years of experience working in public benefits is a
plus.

• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, organizational, oral and written communication skills.
• Commitment to the mission of CUMAC and trauma-informed practices.
• Familiarity with food insecurity and food justice issues preferred.
• Prior experience with and knowledge of N.E.A.R. Science (Neuroscience, Epigenetics, Adverse Childhood

Experiences, and Resilience) is a major plus.

• Prior experience working with seniors and adults living with a disability.
• Prior experience helping individuals apply for public benefits including SNAP (formerly food stamps), Medicaid,

Medicare, LIHEAP, emergency rental assistance, and others.

• Bilingual English-Spanish is required.
• Knowledge of available resources in Paterson and Passaic County.
• Excellent organizational skills. Self-starter. Ability to work independently. Ability to multitask.
• Leadership capacity, sound judgment, and initiative.
• Computer proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Be comfortable with ideation and the creative process to generate, develop, and communicate new ideas.
• Excellence is demanded. Mercy is required.
• Provide caring and competent support and services to all CUMAC clients.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Possess a valid driver license.
• Regular access to an insured automobile that meets State of New Jersey requirements is preferred.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: $33,000 per year.
• An open, collaborative, and supportive work environment.
• Generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 403b Savings and Retirement Plan.
• 14 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) the first year. 30 days of PTO after the first year.
• Most major federal holidays off.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $33,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

COVID-19 considerations:
CUMAC is a frontline organization that is committed to keeping its team members safe. We have health protocols in place and PPE available for any and all staff.

Experience:

• Case management: 1 year (Preferred)
• program development: 1 year (Preferred)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)
• Arabic (Preferred)

Work Location:

• Multiple locations

Work Remotely:

• No

Work Location: Multiple Locations