Peer Advocate

The EVA Center: a program of Casa Myrna

JOB DESCRIPTION

Peer Advocate
Full-Time, Non-Exempt, located in Boston

The EVA Center is a survivor-led comprehensive support program whose mission is to empower women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation (prostitution, sex trafficking) to find solutions to the issues they face and exit the commercial sex industry. The EVA Center works to challenge public perceptions and strongly advocate for survivor led, strength based programming that increases awareness and knowledge of the many socio- economic and situational factors contributing to women and girl’s entry into the sex trade.

Peer Advocates, a vital component of the EVA Center, are the key to providing and connecting survivors to resources and supporting, including community based advocacy, transportation assistance, economic self-sufficiency support, housing advocacy, emergency legal advocacy and court accompaniment, emergency food and clothing assistance, and shelter. There are no eligibility requirements to receive services and there is no time limit or end to services.

The EVA Center programs hires staff who have a personal history as a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation as an adolescent or adult (including exploitation through prostitution, stripping or pornography) and believes that survivors are an integral part of advocacy and programming and should lead our organizing work. Casa Myrna’s EVA Center is looking for committed and highly motivated people with strong interpersonal skills to support our mission. The Peer Advocate is responsible for working directly with women, and their children, providing peer support and assisting them in developing their own exit plans, offering information and access to resources which may include diverse tasks. The EVA Center uses a strength based, nonjudgmental, empowerment model.

The EVA Center is currently working to merge with Casa Myrna, Boston’s foremost provider of solutions to end domestic and dating violence, to expand supports and create needed housing options for women exiting out of commercial sexual exploitation. Once merged, the EVA Center will be a program of Casa Myrna.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Creates and maintains a partnership with each participant assisting each person to articulate and prioritize her goals, identifying strengths and abilities, assisting women in developing their own exit plans.
• Provides crisis intervention and one on one peer support for women experiencing sexual exploitation (prostitution/sex trafficking) and need assistance.
• Provides outreach and engagement activities, providing support and information on available services. Contacts may occur in places convenient to the survivor, including the Family Justice Center, Casa Myrna offices, shelter, police station or court, coffee shops or other locations throughout the community.
• Provides emergency referrals outside of typical office hours based on schedule.
• Conducts follow-up with referrals, monitoring progress and meet the unique needs of each person with an emphasis on housing, education, employment development, job placement, health and wellness.
• Networks and communicates with referral sources to ensure participants needs and goals are met.
• Works collaboratively with law enforcement, court probation, and various referral agencies as well as Casa Myrna/EVA Center staff.
• Assists participants in applying for Victims Compensation and other public benefits for which they may be eligible.
• Keeps accurate and complete records of all services and activities as required, including but not limited to: data entry into the Casa Myrna database, maintaining weekly progress notes, and maintaining complete and current participant files.
• Accompanies participants to appointments as needed (i.e. court, state agency offices, children’s services and various other appointments).
• Develops relationships with community providers and serves as a spokesperson on issues of commercial sexual exploitation.
• Performs support functions such as filing and answering phones at the Family Justice Center location in Boston.
• Attends professional development trainings both within Casa Myrna and in the community.
• Other related duties as assigned by supervisor and agency.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Personal history as a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation as an adolescent or adult. This may include exploitation through prostitution, stripping or pornography. Must have significant time out of the commercial sex industry.
• Comprehensive and thorough knowledge of women’s issues such as sexual violence, prostitution/sex trafficking and addiction.
• Ability to work with a diverse population of women, ability to be flexible and able to manage multiple projects and complex situations.
• Associate or BA degree preferred and/or minimum of two years of related work experience.
• Must have valid driver’s license, car and ability to travel throughout the Boston area preferred.
• Promote an atmosphere of respect and cooperation; maintain confidentiality as per EVA Center/CMV policies.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding program participants and shelter locations.
• Bilingual in English and another language preferred but not required.

Wage Rate: $1,653.84 /$43,000 annually
Location: Multiple sites throughout Boston

The EVA Center and Casa Myrna are equal opportunity employers committed to workforce diversity.

To apply please send a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the Peer Advocate position to cherie@evacenter.org at the EVA Center.