Samaritan Peer (Non-clinical Community Support Role)

About the Role

Samaritan is seeking individuals with lived experience with homelessness or poverty to serve as community support to Samaritan Members, supporting them in their journey towards stability in health, housing, and income. Samaritan Peers are assigned to regularly check-in and chat with Members via samaritan’s platform, providing consistent, relational support. Through thoughtful, trauma-informed messaging, Samaritan Peers help Members feel seen, encouraged, and supported over time.

This is a relationship-centered role. Samaritan Peers are trusted partners who show up reliably, communicate with care, and understand the responsibility of supporting vulnerable individuals.

Location: fully remote; Central & East Virginia

Commitment: Part-time 1099 contract role; the role is paid based on output, but we estimate Peers will spend 5 to 7 hours a week depending on availability & speed of writing; 1 year commitment with a strong chance of renewal

Compensation: $2.67 per Member per month; since Virginia is a new deployment for us, your list of Members will slowly grow over time. Supporting 133 Members a month means compensation is $355.11/month

What You’ll Do

• Build trust-based relationships with assigned Members through consistent messaging
• Initiate 1 conversation each week to Members via thoughtful and intentional messages
• Personalize messages when possible: take note of, and refer to any personal details Members share
• Upon receiving a response from a Member, respond at least within 48 hours, but ideally sooner when possible
• Provide encouragement, reflection, and motivation using trauma-informed communication
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality
• Participate in required training, coaching, and quality reviews

Training & Support

• Two videos on trauma-informed communication
• Monthly Care Circle Meeting: Peer support, coaching, and shared reflection
• Ongoing feedback and coaching over email to support sustainable, high-quality work

Quality & Accountability

• Messages are reviewed using a standardized rubric
• A minimum message quality score is required each pay period to receive compensation for each individual supported

Samaritan is hiring Peers of any background & education. What qualifies an individual for this role is being reliable, emotionally grounded, and a strong written communicator.

Why this role Matters

Samaritan was built on one simple observation: unhoused neighbors were doing their best, but were repeatedly blocked by small, practical barriers. People on or near the streets told our founders they felt isolated and judged, and that even when services were technically available, progress fell apart over things like bus fare or phone minutes, or confusing paperwork, while their case managers carried heavy caseloads without flexible tools or funds.

Alongside flexible financial support and software that helps bridge those gaps in care, Samaritan Members receive steady encouragement from community members like you. For people experiencing homelessness or severe instability, isolation is often as limiting as poverty. Consistent human connection helps sustain engagement when progress feels slow. Your support reminds them that they’re not alone.

Pay: $300.00 - $355.00 per month

Work Location: Remote