Peer Support Specialist- Community Housing

Title: Peer Support Specialist

FLSA Status: Salary, Exempt

Reports To: Director of Community Housing

Salary: $40,000/year

Ignite stands with youth on their journey to a home and a future with promise. We are a leading non-profit, human services organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for youth, ages 10-26. While Ignite has a long-standing history that dates back to 1976, we continue to create new ways to serve our community. Today, we have more than 63 full-time and part-time staff as well as over 100 volunteers who contribute to our mission - operating with a $6M+ annual budget, poised for growth. We are looking for a forward-thinking, values-driven leader dedicated to growing our mission by advancing philanthropic and external relations objectives.

Through housing, education, employment, career planning, financial empowerment, mental health support, and community connection, we enroll more than 800 youth per year, on the path to reaching their full potential. Following their time with Ignite, many of our youth achieve financial stability and move into their own long-term home. Ignite intends to be the last program our youth will ever need, but the family and place they can always call home. As a 2025 Chicago Innovation Award winner, Ignite is leading the way in creating new housing and service models that help youth put homelessness behind them for good. At Ignite, we envision a world where all young people have the support they need to be defined by their potential, not their circumstances.

Position Description

Function: Provides support, advocacy, and guidance to individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability within Ignite's joint Transitional Housing - Rapid Rehousing (TH-RRH) community housing model. Using personal lived experience, the specialist fosters trust and serves as a positive role model. This role emphasizes trauma-informed care, empowerment, and connecting clients with essential resources to support their overall well-being and independence. By fostering meaningful engagement and providing consistent peer support, the Peer Support Specialist plays a key role in facilitating successful transitions into housing and promoting long-term housing retention for all clients. Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the mission and core values of Ignite. Reports directly to the Director of Community Housing.

Duty Summary: The following duties are the essential functions of this position. Successful job applicants will be able to perform these essential functions.

Key Responsibilities

• • Enhance engagement, transition support, and housing retention for all clients within Ignite's joint Transitional Housing-Rapid Rehousing (TH-RRH) program.
  • Use personal lived experience to engage with and build trusting relationships with clients to provide life skills knowledge, build problem-solving skills, communication skills, and coping strategies.
  • Provide peer mentoring, emotional support, and guidance through the principles of Trauma Informed Care and Positive Youth Development philosophies.
  • In collaboration with case management team, assist clients in obtaining necessary vital documents, identification, and/or documentation.
  • Support clients in applying for housing and government assistance programs (e.g., SNAP, Medicaid, SSI)
  • Assist clients in navigating and accessing community resources, including housing, employment, education, and healthcare.
  • Collaborate with clinical and case management teams while maintaining clear peer support boundaries and confidentiality.
  • Encourage client self-advocacy, resilience, and independence by providing support during crisis situations as necessary and encouraging participation in program community meetings and activities.
  • Provide transition support to aftercare services upon completion of or exit from the housing program.

Documentation/Communication

• • Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client interactions and services provided via case notes in Salesforce and other agency required platforms.
  • Actively participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings, supervisions, and training as required.

Residential Milieu

• • For the safety of all clients and staff, provide general supervision and appropriate interventions to clients housed in the residential program.
  • Works with clients housed in the residential program on increasing life skills knowledge, building problem-solving skills, communication skills, and coping strategies.
  • Conducts education and/or personal development groups daily with clients, as assigned.
  • Assists youth with activities including daily chores, room maintenance, and cooking.
  • Manages any crisis and/or emergency that may occur in the residential community.
  • Engages youth in activities and accompanies youth on approved activities outside the residential program. Presents proper activity documentation to include receipts.
  • Documents and maintains medication protocol.
  • May be called upon to support the basic center and/or adult transitional living program.

Crisis Line

• • Provides telephone or in-person screening to homeless/runaway/or precariously housed youth that are requesting service.
  • Provides appropriate referral and placement services to callers contacting 24-hour crisis line services, through phone, text, and/or e-mail.
  • Coordinates and conducts the intake and placement of homeless residents in temporary basic center program.

Scheduling

• • Monday - Friday, 9am - 5p

General

• Works as part of a team to provide support and assistance whenever needed.
• Follows agency policies and procedures for the obtainment of information and provision of services to clients.
• Works with and supervises volunteers as directed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.