Client Advocate/Life Coach

Please send cover letter and resume to megan@wakota.org. 

Status: Part Time or Full Time (16-32 hours), Non-Exempt

Reports To: Client Services Manager

Location: Onsite

About Guiding Star Wakota:

Guiding Star Wakota’s mission is to provide any woman, any mother, any family with compassionate, life-affirming care and support. Our vision is to constantly work toward a society where every woman has hope, every child is a gift, and every family values life.

OVERVIEW
In cooperation and coordination with the Executive Director and Client Services Manager, the Client Advocate/Life Coach assists with all client services and programs and related policies and procedures; and serves as a lay advocate for clients (including pregnancy testing). The Client Advocate/Life Coach will maintain a respectful, helpful, working relationship with all Guiding Star Wakota staff and volunteers and will help fulfill the mission of Guiding Star Wakota by utilizing the most current factually accurate information and being knowledgeable of each of our service areas.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Result Area #1: Client Advocate

1. Complete financial aid applications for clients and ensure that all steps are taken to assist clients with rental assistance through Life Fund or Cradle of Hope
2. Assist clients with applications for SNAP or other county resources. When appropriate refers clients to in-house mental health services or other referrals as needed.
3. Able and willing to teach clients a variety of education classes.
4. Facilitates Mother’s Support Group focused on serving our African American female clients.
5. Perform pregnancy testing as needed. Refers medical questions or concerns pertaining to clients to the Nurse Manager. Refrains from ever offering any medical advice to clients.
6. Provides advocacy to clients, utilizing the most current factual information and being proficient regarding the following topics or issues:

• Unplanned Pregnancy
• Post-Abortion Resources
• Adoption Resources
• Basic pregnancy related issues
• Sexual Risk Avoidance
• Contraception methods and their effects
• Natural Family Planning and Fertility Awareness
• Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases (STIs and STDs)
• All other educational resources available to clients

1. Accurately records client information and interactions in NextLevel.

Key Result Area #2: Life Coach

1. Partners with clients to spark creative and thought-provoking processes that encourage them to unlock their full potential.
2. Hold clients in high regard as experts of their own lives.
3. Collaborates to help clients excel in life, guiding them to unveil their authentic selves.
4. Ignites self-motivation to uncover true desires and construct a purposeful life.
5. Helps clients shape positive future experiences in life.

 Key Result Area #3: Reception/Front Desk/Material Assistance

1. Supports donations that are received, sorting through, and putting things in storage.
2. Assist Receptionist with answering the phone and scheduling client appointments. Assist Receptionist with new client intakes as needed.
3. As needed, check for recalls on baby equipment, clean and prepare toys to go out into the free corner, and prepare diapers and wipes.
4. Accurately enters Material Assistance distribution under client profile in NextLevel and ensures proof of child documents are uploaded in NextLevel if needed.
5. Adheres to Material Assistance protocols as established by the Client Services Manager and Executive Director

Key Result Area #4: Essential Functions of All Staff

1. Communicates as needed with Client Services Manager and Executive Director, and meets regularly to evaluate and manage policies, procedures, and/or client services.
2. Assists Executive Director in fundraising and marketing duties as necessary.
3. Networks with other pro-life client advocates and attends appropriate local pro-life training opportunities or conferences if possible.
4. Networks with other social service agencies such that resources can be shared, we might have better visibility, and more abortion-minded clients are attracted to our center.
5. Maintains a respectful, helpful, working relationship with all Wakota staff, volunteers, donors, board members and the Medical Director
6. Respects and maintains confidentiality at all times, except when required by law.
7. Complies with the Wakota Employee Handbook and all other Wakota Policies and Procedures, and all laws, rules, regulations, standards, and best practices appropriate to the position.
8. Comply with all policies and procedures of the organization and affiliates including Elevate Life and Guiding Star Project. Comply with all laws, rules, regulations, standards and best practices appropriate to the position.
9. Other duties as assigned.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

TBD. Commensurate with level of experience.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Agreement with our Values and Approach:
   • Commitment to Guiding Star Wakota’s organizational values. We believe in the inherent dignity of each person, from conception to natural death; the right of our clients to receive comprehensive, truthful information in a respectful and compassionate way; and the importance of addressing the needs of the whole person – physical, emotional, spiritual and social – when providing services.

1. • Dedication to pro-life belief in the dignity, sanctity and worth of every human life. We do not perform or provide referrals for abortions. We do not recommend or provide artificial contraception. We promote healthy choices regarding sexuality that both honor the dignity of the human person.
2. Professional: Prior experience in a pregnancy help center preferred. Licensed mental health professionals preferred but not required. Exhibits strong interpersonal, organizational and communication skills, and possesses basic computer skills and knowledge.
3. Education: bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and/or related experience preferred, minimum of high school diploma required. Preferred: Life Coaching certification, counseling, social services, family services, and/or previous non-profit education and/or experience.
4. Personal: Able to empathize with those in distress and give practical assistance; able to maintain healthy boundaries, and active listening skills. Knowledge of African American cultural dynamics and needs.
5. Relational: Ability to problem solve as a team member with a positive outlook and to accept responsibility. Ability to act independently and to seek consultation when needed. Ability to adapt to organizational and process changes.