Outreach Civic Engagement Coordinator

Who We Are

Lawndale Christian Legal Center (LCLC) was founded to provide a unique form of community holistic defense representation grounded in restorative justice values to minors and emerging adults (25 and under) in the North Lawndale area caught in the criminal justice system. LCLC’s highly relational, community-led model of representation is performed by an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, case managers, outreach workers, circle-keepers, and community partners. In addition to providing full criminal defense representation, LCLC’s community holistic defense team identifies and meets the legal and social needs of our clients at every phase of the criminal justice system: from diversion, arrest, through trial, and the completion of any period of probation, supervision, and parole. 

 In early 2025, LCLC will be opening a new $22 million facility named the Dr. Dennis Deer Community Justice Center. In this new facility, LCLC will own and operate a three-story office building plus twenty units of studio-style housing (hereinafter “Deer Housing”) for emerging adult men, 18-25 years old, who are or have been represented by our community holistic defense team. The community holistic defense team will identify emerging adult men at high-risk of going to prison and negotiate for them to stay in one of the twenty units of Deer Housing as an alternative to incarceration. 

 By serving justice-involved minors and emerging adults holistically in their community, LCLC is leading the transformation of the traditional criminal justice system by building out age-appropriate interventions and new best practices grounded in repair and restoration that are more effective, cost less, and result in greater public safety for all. Our holistic, community-led model of restorative justice is a template for creating a justice system that better serves Cook County and the nation. More information on LCLC can be found at www.lclc.net.

 Job Description

The LCLC Outreach Civic Engagement Coordinator will work 10a- 6p on a rotating schedule of Monday through Friday, Tuesday through Saturday with Juveniles and Emerging Adults between the ages of 11-21 years old utilizing relentless engagement to engage or re-engage in the Reimagine Youth Development Services (RYDS) Civic Engagement program. The primary responsibilities of the Outreach Civic Engagement Coordinator include, but are not exclusive to, facilitation of civics curriculum, engaging clients in onsite activities and offsite trips and outings, and working in collaboration with outreach workers to reduce community violence as well as working with LCLC’s Community Holistic Defense (CHD) team of attorneys and case managers to identify potential clients and engage existing clients in services. Lastly, this position will serve as a liaison between LCLC and the community and promote the LCLC way of working to transform the lives of young people we serve and the criminal justice system as a whole. 

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and leads community outings and events for clients, their families and the North Lawndale community. 
• Coordinate, teach and promote Civic Engagement & Identity 
• Coordinate community service and volunteer opportunities for youth and young adults involved in programming. 
• Coordinate and engage clients in onsite activities and offsite trips and outings.  
• Works with clients individually and in group setting on violence prevention skills and positive youth development skills (i.e., anger management, conflict resolution, and other life skills).
• Willingness to work on the street and in other unstructured situations. 
• Willing to work late nights and on weekends, primarily Saturdays 
• Collaborate and network with other Outreach programs and workers to coordinate strategic responses to violence. 
• Gain and maintain the trust of the community to help prevent shootings and retaliatory violence. 
• Respond to shootings in other communities, when necessary, working with relevant outreach programs with the understanding that the nature of crisis situations may require after-hours response. 
• Collaborate and network with other Outreach programs and workers to coordinate strategic responses to violence 
• Work with resistant Juveniles and Emerging Adults; successfully engaging them in services.
• Demonstrates supportive behavior and act as a role model displaying positive appropriate interactions.
• Possesses a basic knowledge and understanding of trauma and other mental health and substances relevant to population being served. 
• Serves as support and advocate for the clients and their families, identifying and relaying the need for resources to case management.  
• Complete and maintain all required documentation pertaining to clients in a timely manner (Neon-one status documentation & reports) 
• Assist in coordination and leading community events for clients, their families and North Lawndale community. 
• Market and promote the work of LCLC in the North Lawndale community magnifying our Holistic services to attract, identify and refer potential clients who are the highest risk individuals to LCLC   
• Outreach to the community (individually and as a team member) to build strong relationships with youth, residents, businesses, and other community & outreach groups. 
• Attends regular staff meetings, partner meetings, one on one supervision meetings, community meetings as instructed by supervisor and/or director.  
• Participates in all mandatory training courses and undertakes any training and professional development as required to ensure effective work 
• Participates in media opportunities as requested
• Other duties as assigned 

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED required
• Associate Degree is preferred, in criminal justice or violence prevention related field
• Two or more years of experience working with high-risk, justice-involved adults 
• High degree of cultural competency 
• Excellent communication skills 
• Basic knowledge and understanding of trauma  
• Basic computer skills; ability to complete required data entry and tasks, communicate via email, and complete basic word processing tasks as needed
• Ability to navigate social media 
• Emotional maturity, good judgment, integrity, tolerance of differing points of view and beliefs, and commitment to nonviolence
• Understanding of criminal justice system and street lifestyle
• Current driver’s license, good driving record, evidence of insurability, and reliable access to a vehicle
• Willingness to work on the street and in other unstructured situations
• In depth knowledge and relationships with the street dynamics in North Lawndale 
• Residents of North Lawndale preferred            

             Professionalism and Work Conduct:

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of LCLC.
• Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and on time.
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of participants and coworkers.
• Accepts feedback and ideas from team and supervisor and is constructive when giving feedback and ideas to others.
• Discusses alternative problem solving and is open to new ideas and ways of doing things.

Work Environment/Travel:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works mostly in an office environment that is quiet to moderately loud, depending on the work area. Some local, county, or state travel may be required, including overnight stays. Employees are required to sit, use hands, stand, stoop, walk, talk, and listen while performing duties. General office equipment including personal computers, scanners, copiers, faxes, desk- and smartphones, and software programs. Occasional travel of distance may be required, especially suburban Cook County. Other travel of distance may be required. Must possess and maintain an applicable Illinois Driver License, clean driving record, and Auto Insurance that meets the State requirement.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee may occasionally be required to lift or move up to 25 pounds. Requires normal range of motion, hearing and vision.  The employee will spend 70% - 80% (about 28 to 32 hours per week) of the time in the field with clients.  The employee will spend 20% - 30% (about 8 to 12 hours per week) of the time fielding housing calls, viewing contracts and addressing any housing needs.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

It is an administrative support level position requiring the exercise of discretion and independent judgment and is required to work a full-time work week, as designated by the LCLC Employee Handbook, with periodic longer hours, including potential evenings, weekends, and odd hours.

Application  

Please submit a application online at lclc.net. The position, which is available immediately, will remain open until filled. Minorities, veterans, and North Lawndale residents encouraged to apply.

Lawndale Christian Legal Center is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and organizational needs. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of those we serve. 

                                  North Lawndale residents and minorities encouraged to apply