Community Advocate, Women’s Community Revitalization Project

Posted by on May 30, 2003

[posted to PACDC Newsletter]

Community Advocate
Women’s Community Revitalization Project (WCRP)

Lower North Philadelphia
WCRP — a 15-year old non-profit organization based in eastern North Philadelphia — is committed to social and economic equity for low-income women and their families. We develop affordable housing and neighborhood facilities; provide supportive services for our tenants and other community residents; advocate for policy change; and honor leadership, dignity and justice in our communities.

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator, the Community Advocate will carry out advocacy and outreach mainly for two WCRP initiatives: the Affordable Housing and Housing Preservation Campaign and the Community Greening/Vacant Land Reclamation Initiative. This work includes: establishing and maintaining relationships with community residents; identifying potential leaders among these residents and supporting that leadership through neighborhood improvement, advocacy and other activities; helping recruit community residents to join WCRP board and committees; informing community residents about WCRP?s initiatives and City policies that impact their community; recruit volunteers to help maintain vacant land in their community; helping plan and conduct community meetings about WCRP housing developments and other issues impacting the community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Systematically establish relationships with individuals, groups and institutions ? through face-to-face meetings — in the community around issues of affordable housing, home repair, vacant land problems and other related community issues. Responsible for meeting with 20 individuals per month, in addition to periodically conducting door-to-door outreach, flyering and petition signing in the neighborhood.

From this pool of relationships/contacts, identify 5 new potential leaders for WCRP each year to play leadership roles within WCRP?s Advocacy Committee (and other committees), WCRP?s Affordable Housing Campaign and/or WCRP?s Vacant Land Initiative.

Help plan, implement and recruit for monthly meetings of constituents, volunteers and other community residents involved with WCRP?s advocacy and community greening/vacant land work.

Salary Range: $25,000-$30,000 depending on experience.

Send resume and cover letter to WCRP, Attn: David, 407-11 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19123

QUALIFICATIONS

Very strong candidates will: be bi-lingual/bi-cultural Spanish-English; have commitment to and passion for social change and social justice for the poor, especially low-income women and children; have community organizing or outreach experience; be familiar with issues, especially housing, which impact low-income families; have knowledge of Philadelphia City government and politics; have excellent verbal and written communication skills; be able to build relationships with new people easily; be able to take initiative and work independently to create new contacts and identify new opportunities; be willing and excited to learn new things, ideas, skills; able to juggle multiple tasks; be able to work with people of different economic and racial backgrounds; be a team player; be able to represent the mission and values of WCRP and respond professionally under difficult situations; be available to attend some evening and weekend meetings; have driver?s license and access to a car; be computer literate.
$25,000 – $30,000

For more information please contact:
David
407-11 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19123