Mission
Hope, healing, safety, social change.
Working together to end domestic and partner violence.
Vision
A community unified in peace, justice, and equity, for the safety and well-being of every individual.
Statement of Welcome and Affirmation
DOVE welcomes refugee and immigrant survivors both documented and undocumented; people with disabilities;
people who are D/deaf or hard of hearing; BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color); LGB, Queer, Trans, and Non-Binary individuals; people of all religion and faith beliefs; and individuals whose first language is not English.
DOVE welcomes people of all identities, including those not named.
Organization Summary
DOVE (Domestic Violence Ended), Inc. was founded in 1978 and has since grown from one crisis hotline to a comprehensive multi-services organization. DOVE is the only domestic violence organization in Norfolk County. DOVE provides a range of services for individuals who have experienced abuse, including a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, safety assessment and planning, supportive education and counseling, support groups, legal assistance, assistance accessing governmental and community-based services, and community outreach and education. At DOVE, we believe that all people have the right to live free from the fear of abuse. At our core, DOVE s work is about fostering healthier and safer relationships for all. DOVE recognizes that oppression and historical and systemic inequity are root causes of problems we strive to address with and on behalf or survivors.
Job Purpose
The Community Advocate & LGBQ/T Outreach & Resource Specialist is part of DOVE s team of advocates responsible for the provision of services for individuals seen primarily through DOVE s Community-Based program. The Specialist will work with clients in both individual and group settings, providing crisis intervention, emotional support, advocacy, safety planning, and education on many issues related to domestic and dating violence. The Specialist works in a team with other community-based advocates, attorneys, and interns, as well as shelter staff.
Further, the Specialist will conduct outreach to the LGBQ/T community of the South Shore, utilizing expertise on the specific needs of the queer and trans communities to serve as a liaison and foster partnerships with the community.
While DOVE recognizes the role will likely closely intertwine with the employee s identities, the expectation is not that they will bear responsibility for internal education within the program or organization. Rather, all of DOVE s staff work collaboratively to evaluate, design, and practice services which meet the needs of marginalized survivors, including LGBQ/T survivors.
This position reports to the Director of Community Services and will also work closely with members of the Outreach Team. This position is supported by and dependent on grant funds.
Responsibilities include:
Community Advocacy/Direct Service Provision (55-65%)
Provide emotional support, supportive counseling, advocacy, and assistance to survivors seen through DOVE s Community-Based Services. Includes conducting danger assessment and safety planning as well as connecting survivors with internal and external services and resources (e.g., legal, housing, benefits, mental health and substance abuse, etc.).
Act as Counselor of the Day in rotation with other Advocates and Interns on the Community team.
Complete Individual/Family Needs Assessment with each assigned client.
Coordinate internal and external service options for clients families.
Work collaboratively with health and social service providers, therapists, child protective services, LGBQ/T-specific resources and service providers, and others to ensure coordination of services for clients.
Design, promote, and co-facilitate support and/or psycho-educational groups as assigned, with targeted outreach to LGBQ/T survivors.
Interface with DOVE s Civilian DV Advocates, Legal Advocacy Program/Staff Attorneys, Shelter-based Advocates, as well as Community Education & Prevention program.
Be available for consultation by other team members and intern(s), and/or serve as daily point-of-contact for interns as needed as needed.
Periodically provide coverage of the shelter and hotline.
This role may include participation in regular on-call rotation for emergency shelter (typically for
1 week every 6-10 weeks.
Complete other duties as assigned.
LGBQ/T Community Outreach and Liaison (30-40%)
Initiate contact, maintain, and cultivate relationships with others working with LGBQ/T communities to promote awareness of DOVE s services, including but not limited to community service providers, Quincy Pride, schools, school GSAs, and local AGLY networks.
Contribute to outreach and collaboration events, including representing DOVE at community and health fairs, tabling events, Boston and Quincy Pride, and LGBQ/T community events and forums.
Facilitate and create workshops for community partners to promote awareness of LGBQ/T partner violence issues, support LGBQ/T teens in developing healthy relationship skills, and share information about DOVE s services. Help DOVE build stronger connections with LGBQ/T communities and survivors.
Serve as an ambassador for and liaison with DOVE for members of LGBQ/T communities, particularly on the South Shore, sharing information out, and bringing feedback and information in.
Maintain and create content for DOVE s LGBQ/T Program Instagram that is identity-affirming and survivor-centered.
Additional Responsibilities (10-20%)
Attend and participate in regular Team Case Review, weekly Supervision sessions, Shelter On-Call, Outreach Team, and Staff Meetings.
Prepare client service documentation and programmatic statistics and reports.
Complete forms and reports as required by the organization and funders.
Assist Director of Community Services (DCS) with ongoing development/evaluation of program effectiveness.
Participate regularly and represent DOVE at local, regional, and/or state meetings as requested by DCS and/or Executive Director.
DOVE has committed 5% (2 hrs/wk) of all staff time to participate in active learning regarding justice and equity issues, including regarding race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, etc., to include reading, listening to podcasts, watching webinars, videos, etc. Active discussion with peers is encouraged. For BIPOC and LGBQ/T staff, time can include commitment to self-care and resilience-building as needed.
Complete other duties as assigned.