Family Housing Program Assistant (part-time)

Job Title: Family Housing Program Assistant (part-time)

Reports to: Family Housing Coordinator

FLSA Code: Part-time, non-exempt

Hours: Up to 25-hours/week

Potential Shift: Rotating shifts to ensure 24-hour coverage, including evenings, weekends and holidays

Program Area: Adult Service Network (ASN)

Location: The Residences, 3340 W. Carol Ave, Chicago, IL 60624

We Are Breakthrough Adult Service Network

Breakthrough offers family housing for intact families that are non-lease holders. We are intentional about partnering with those that may be doubled up or residing in transitional housing programs. We believe that by partnering with our families through intense case-management and providing them with dignity and respect that each family will receive the tools necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.

Breakthrough’s Family Housing team prioritizes immediate housing stability through our newly developed, fully furnished housing program. Families benefit from on-site amenities, including laundry facilities, free parking, community rooms, and a dedicated children’s play area.

In addition to safe and stable housing, guests receive comprehensive support services such as community primary and mental health care, employment training, saving & budgeting, and assistance with housing search and placement.

Position Summary

The Program Assistant plays a critical role in creating a safe, structured, and radically hospitable living environment for families residing at The Residences. This position supports daily operations, facilitates programming, and ensures that residents experience dignity, consistency, and care.

Program Assistants serve as the frontline presence in the building, helping to cultivate community, support program engagement, and maintain high standards across shared spaces.

Essential Responsibilities/Functions

Resident Engagement & Program Support

• Assist with the daily supervision and facilitation of on-site programming
• Foster a radically hospitable, welcoming, and trauma responsive environment for all residents
• Build positive relationships with residents while maintaining appropriate boundaries
• Support resident participation in programming and community-building activities
  
  
  

Building Operations & Activity Coordination

• Schedule and supervise building activities sponsored for or by tenants
• Support resident use of shared spaces, including:
• Laundry room
• Toddler play area
• Party room
• Work/study lounge
• Storage areas
• Maintain calendars and scheduling systems for communal spaces
• Ensure adherence to building policies and community standards
  
  

Service Coordination Support

• Collaborate with Case Managers and Housing Director to ensure seamless service delivery
• Communicate resident needs, concerns, and observations in a timely manner
• Support coordination of services and referrals as directed
  
  
  

Administrative & Data Management

• Maintain accurate and organized program and administrative records
• Enter participant and program data into Salesforce in a timely and accurate manner
• Track program participation, attendance, and outcomes as required
• Assist with reporting and documentation
  
  
  

Volunteer & Intern Support

• Supervise and support program volunteers and interns during assigned shifts
• Ensure volunteers are aligned with program expectations and values
• Provide guidance and communicate any concerns to leadership
  
  
  

Building Maintenance & Supplies

• Assist in maintaining the cleanliness and organization of interior and exterior spaces
• Monitor inventory of supplies and follow established processes for replenishment
• Maintain and organize communal areas to ensure they are safe, functional, and welcoming
• Support light operational needs (set-up, reset of spaces, supply stocking)
  
  
  

Donations Management

• Receive, process, and organize donated items
• Ensure donations are distributed or stored according to program guidelines
• Maintain orderly storage systems for donated goods
  
  
  

Perform other duties as assigned

Demonstrated Values

• Independently follows agency policy and procedures
• Follows through with commitments including meeting established timelines
• Identifies and resolves difficult issues
• Project a professional image to all internal and external customers ensuring proper grooming
• Promote wellness and customer care through all actions and behaviors
• Works effectively with diverse staff, communities and population served
• Maintain a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy during stressful situations.
• A passion for the mission of Breakthrough
  
  
  

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Experience in human services, housing, youth development, or community-based work preferred
• Experience working in a trauma responsive environment
• Minimum of 1 related experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information in a clear and concise manner
• Sound administrative skills including, including strong computer skills and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple tasks effectively
• Strong organizational skills and proven attention to detail
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, self-directed environment
• Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and manage changing priorities
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license along with daily access to a vehicle and acceptable driving record
  
  
  

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to use initiative, discretion and independent judgment in making decisions
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and follow through and be comfortable working in a changing environment
• Demonstrates willingness to consistently improve work performance through their relationship and guidance
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to embrace principles of nonviolence to create safer communities
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders.
• Must possess an accurate and informed understanding of cultural and urban realities, especially as related to youth, families, poverty, and community development
  
  
  

SUPERVISION

• Direction received from the Family Housing Coordinator
• Does not supervise employees
  
  
  

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in an office located in a multi-purpose facility and/or outdoors and thus will be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be high depending on the activities in the facility.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk and/or sit; use hands and fingers to feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; regularly talk or hear. The employee must be able to bend, stoop, pull, lift as well as have overhead extension of arms. Must be able to stand for long periods of time; be able to lift, carry or move at least 50 pounds. Must adhere to proper handling and lifting techniques. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

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

Equipment Used

The employee will generally use general office equipment including but not limited to telephone, computer, calculator, copier, overhead projector, paper shredder, paper cutter, and filing systems.

Safety Requirements

Prior to the first day of work, must complete a criminal background and sex offender clearance.

Benefits

Sick leave - Part-time employees in this position are eligible for 1 hour of sick pay for every 35 hours worked in a pay period. This leave can be used for medical and safety reasons.

Paid leave - Part-time employees in this position are eligible for 1 hour of paid pay for every 35 hours worked in a pay period. This leave can be used for any reason.

Compensation

The actual salary within the range is determined by many factors including but not limited to skills, experience, education and internal equity.

$19 - $20/hour

Breakthrough is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factors. If a reasonable accommodation is needed for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact us via the telephone number listed above. The decision to grant reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.