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Bilingual Project Support Case Manager Job Description

 General Description 

We are searching for a talented and professional Bilingual (Spanish/English) Project Support Case Manager. This position will dedicate time, talent, passion, effort, and resources to reaching those who are steeped in poverty and whose lives could be drastically improved by achieving food-security. This position will seek out those who could benefit the most from having sufficient nutrition, and work to eliminate their food-insecurity. 

This position will include collaborating with the other Project Support Case Manager to meet with Aurora Food Pantry neighbors (clients) to assist them in meeting their basic needs. Together with the client, each case manager sets goals and connects neighbors with needed resources. Case Managers make referrals, appointments, and sometimes assist in driving neighbors to doctor’s visits, Social Security Administration, and more. 

The Project Support Case Managers also manage a unique and innovative text-messaging system geared to youth who are facing severe food insecurity. This system will allow anyone, young and old alike, to send a text to receive emergency food assistance. Utilizing and expanding the pantry’s current pantry-delivery service, this program will allow the pantry to gather and deliver a box of food to anyone requesting it via a simple text message. By utilizing a texting system, it allows anyone at any age to request food to be delivered contactless to their doorstep. 

Once the immediate need for hunger-relief is addressed, the Project Support Case Managers make further contact with the household, specifically an adult within the home, to share information about the pantry’s services and how they can access food moving forward as well as assess other needs. This position will go directly into the communities the pantry serves where there is the highest density of poverty, gun violence, gang activity, high dropout rates, and lack of community resources to help them. The pantry firmly believes reduction of violence can be achieved by targeting the most vulnerable populations to ease food insecurity and can be a significant contributing factor in reducing poverty and increasing educational success. 

This position will also visit homeless encampments, coordinate food drop-offs for a variety of community programs, and conduct door-to-door visits with large populations of indigent people. Many of them lack transportation, so the canvassing of these areas will serve to simply register them if they are in need, and schedule regular drop-offs at their locations to provide desperately needed food. 

Lastly, the Project Support Case Manager will assist the Community Impact Manager with pop-up pantries, recruiting volunteers, nurturing existing Pantry relationships, cultivating new relationships, and otherwise act as the pantry’s representative in the community. 

Candidates with lived or living food-insecurity experience are encouraged to apply. 

Information about the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry: 

The Pantry was founded in 1981. An economic downturn led to a growing number of people seeking food assistance, often through local churches. Unable to accommodate the growing need, these churches worked with local leaders to help establish a larger community pantry to assist those struggling to make ends meet. The collaboration of people of all faiths – and a desire to serve those in the city of Aurora and beyond – led to the forming of the Pantry. 

For decades, the Pantry operated from offices shared with a local homeless shelter. With the need for basic services in Aurora growing substantially during the 2008 recession, it became evident that a larger space – both for food storage and grocery distribution – was needed. With the support of the community, government agencies, and local foundations, 

Aurora Food Pantry moved to its present location in November 2013. The 18,000 sq. ft. space (six times larger than the previous site) radically improved the distribution process, with benefits including: 

  •  Client-choice market with refrigerator cases and permanent shelving 
  •  A comfortable, indoor client waiting room with children’s play area 
  •  Large storage warehouse with docks for safely unloading deliveries 
  •  Increased refrigerator and freezer space to store fresh foods 

Today, the Pantry is one of the largest food pantries in Illinois, distributing over 3 million pounds of food each year to 157,000 unique individuals. With a staff of 13, a crew of over 800 volunteers, and countless community partners, Aurora Food Pantry is dedicated to ending hunger in the community by providing nutritious food in a humanitarian and compassionate manner. 

The mission of Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry is to strengthen the community by providing nourishing food and access to area resources. Our vision is for a thriving, nourished community. 

Duties & Responsibilities 

The duties and responsibilities of this position shall include, but not be limited to: 

  •  Work with Community Impact Manager to maintain a calendar of community impact activities, including community events, workshops, appearances, and other opportunities 
  •  Work with Community Impact Team to schedule regular outreach exhibitions in community and educate attendees about the pantry 
  •  Meet with neighbors at pantry or on a home visit to assess needs 
  •  Coordinate food deliveries to homeless encampments 
  • Coordinate food delivery and pick-ups with other organizations 
  • Manage Text4Food service for delivery for emergency food 
  • Ensures the voices of neighbors are heard and that they have a place at the table when making decision that impact them. 
  •  Advocates for the needs of our neighbors 
  •  Assist Community Impact Manager to create a “Community Collaboration Program” where third-party entities are invited on site to educate program participants on offerings 
  •  Develop a relationship with neighbors through frequent outreach visits to foster trust while supporting participation in programs 
  • Register neighbors in need for the Loaves & Fishes Emergency Assistance Program 
  • Research community resources that benefit neighbors and keep up to date digital resource list 
  • Visit with neighbors experiencing food insecurity and learn about obstacles preventing participation in programs, and identify means of overcoming those barriers 
  •  Provide transportation for neighbors for participation to and from important meetings 
  •  Develop assessment tool with Community Impact Director/Case Manager to assess needs of those in the community and connect them with services 
  • Assist neighbors with food pantry Link2Feed and SNAP, and Medicaid registration 
  • Assist in translation of pantry classes and neighbor meetings. 
  • Maintain computerized client records, daily activity logs, and other reports as directed 
  • Work collaboratively with entire team to create and execute strategy for Hunger Action Month (September) 
  • When “out and about” in the field, capture photo and video content as well as written testimonies that can be used for Pantry social media/marketing 
  • Assist Marketing staff in Spanish translations 
  • Otherwise assist the team of the pantry with whatever duties and responsibilities are necessary to execute the mission, vision, and values of the organization 

Requirements 

All interested candidates should have: 

  • Committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 
  • Trauma-informed approach with understanding the impact of poverty on families. 
  • Warm, approachable demeanor 
  •  Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) in both English and Spanish 
  •  Experience with Microsoft Office products including but not limited to Excel, Word and Power Point 
  •  Tech-savvy and ability to navigate a variety of software and texting platforms 
  •  Great positive attitude with a strong desire to help the most vulnerable populations 
  •  Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends 
  •  Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment 
  •  Reliable personal transportation, and valid driver’s license 
  •  High level of accountability and ability to work independently 
  •  All AAIFP employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 
  •  Undergraduate degree in Social Work preferred, but not required. 

Compensation & Benefits 

  • Salary range: $44,000-$47,000/year 
  • BCBS of Illinois Health Insurance Plan 
  • 401k with employer matching 
  • Paid Time Off 
  • Flexible Schedule 

How to Apply 

All interested candidates should email the following to scameron@aurorafoodpantry.org. 

  • Cover Letter 
  • Resume