Program Coordinator

About Us

Volunteers of America is a national, faith-based nonprofit organization founded over 125 years ago. VOA Illinois is one of the oldest affiliates of the Volunteers of America family delivering strength-based trauma-informed, gender-responsive and culturally sensitive programs and services at the highest standards of excellence to our clients. We have never stopped reinventing our services and we continue to innovate based on our communities’ evolving needs.

VOA Illinois, a certified “Great Place to Work,” fosters an organizational culture focused on faith, innovation and collaboration. Year after year VOA Illinois expands and promotes from within, holding a workforce with over 50% having experienced promotion. Check out our careers page to find more opportunities at Careers - VOA Illinois.

This position is part‑time, non-exempt, and reports to the Program Manager‑NLCP. Generally, this position operates in a professional/school environment. The hours of work are generally Monday through Friday, 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Some weekend hours are required as outlined in the grant. Flexibility in the schedule may be requested to accommodate client work/school schedules.

Physical demands include sedentary work, operating a computer and other office productivity machinery with frequent communication with clients and colleagues of VOA Illinois and others involved in the care and custody of clients. The individual hired must be able to move, traverse and travel in the community in a vehicle, assist clients in and out of a vehicle if necessary and transport clients in the community.

Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

• Drive engagement and communication with clients that embodies empathy, patience and emotional intelligence.
• Conduct home visits minimally once monthly for each assigned case.
• Advocate for clients using active listening to determine resources and meet various needs.
• Collaborate with VOA colleagues, outside organizations or vendors, etc. to connect clients and obtain necessary resources.
• Display discipline in managing time and attention to assigned caseload, tasks or projects.
• Exercise prudent stewardship of agency resources.
• Exhibit cultural competence while serving clients of diverse backgrounds and commit to expanding knowledge and understanding of different communities and people groups.
• Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior at all times.
• Engage with trauma‑informed care approach and practice principles.
• Recognize and display ability to de‑escalate and resolve conflict as necessary.

VOA Illinois’ NLCP will provide Civics Education and Leadership program, Life Skills program, and the Recreation, Sports, and Cultural/Artistic Activities program, using the IDHS curriculum and combining it with the Project Personality model to serve youth affected by gun violence. Developed by our Trauma‑Focused CBT certified team, these programs ensure a psychologically safe environment for students.

• The Program Coordinator is responsible for providing client-centered, relationship-driven and family-focused services and interventions to individuals or families served by VOA Illinois.
• Develop contacts with service providers and agencies for resident referrals; educate clients on available services and monitor the provision of services by VOA Illinois.
• Create, implement and modify structured programming that is appropriate and targets objectives of the program.
• Provide constant supervision and direct care of participants.
• Create and maintain a physical and psychologically safe environment designed for emotional growth and healing.
• Complete required data collection and documentation in a timely and accurate manner.
• Establish a positive, trusting, and accepting rapport with participants and staff.
• Act upon own analysis of participant situations under clinical supervision.
• Report progress on the program to supervisor.
• Participate in agency studies of particular problems or casework practices.
• Deliver services with sensitivity to clients’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Uphold and actively demonstrate investment in the mission…