Case Manager (Bilingual)

Organization Overview

Nourishing Hope, formerly known as Lakeview Pantry, is a dynamic Chicago nonprofit agency. Nourishing Hope has evolved to become more than solely a hunger relief organization. We provide food, social services such as job and housing assistance, and free mental wellness counseling with a growing team of licensed therapists. Founded in 1970, we strive to serve the needs of the whole person — with respect and dignity, always.

Nourishing Hope offers our neighbors nutritious food using a choice-based distribution model and access to life-changing social services including:

• Monthly food distribution and additional produce pickup through five different food access programs.
• Home delivery services for older adults, homebound neighbors and neighbors living with disabilities.
• Social services including case management, mental health counseling, job search support, domestic violence intervention, referrals and public benefits assistance (SNAP, healthcare, government forms) for anyone in need.

Nourishing Hope serves tens of thousands of people each year, providing more than 4 million meals through our programs, in addition to partnerships with other community organizations. This year, more than 7,000 low-income neighbors will also receive case management and social services.

Position Summary

The bilingual Case Manager primarily supports effective delivery of Nourishing Hope’s social services programming, including connecting neighbors to critical supports (transportation, housing, benefits, healthcare, etc.), stakeholder engagement, data tracking and reporting, and quality assurance. This role acts as a liaison to all neighbors, volunteers, staff, and other stakeholders to ensure a dignified and respectful experience in alignment with Nourishing Hope’s Core Values. 

Schedule and Locations

This position primarily works out of Nourishing Hope’s Sheridan Market, located at 3945 N Sheridan with one day per week at El Mercadito, 3533 W. North Avenue. The work schedule is Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. This position is onsite, with a maximum of one day per week working remotely. Other onsite location presence is required periodically, based on programmatic need.

Essential Job Functions

• Support the execution of all relevant Social Services standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure high-quality programming, workplace safety, and supportive service standards that adhere to organizational, state, and federal policy, and technology utilization and data quality. Supports the supervision of interns, as appropriate. 
• Act as the point of contact for all neighbors, volunteers, staff, and other stakeholders at the food distribution sites/pick-up locations and externally, as appropriate, ensuring an environment that reinforces Nourishing Hope’s Core Values.
• Ensure high-quality Social Services programming, in alignment with SOPs, through outreach via phone and email, scheduled appointments, and drop-in hours. This includes coordinating access to supports related to but not limited to healthcare, crisis intervention, domestic violence safety planning, financial assistance, transportation assistance, housing support, employment support, and benefits access. 
• Maintaining accurate case records that include assessments, interventions, service plans, and case notes in Azzly (HER) and Salesforce and administer IM CANS assessments with Medicaid clients, as appropriate. 
• Actively participates as a member of the Mental Wellness & Social Services team and to ensure cross-team and cross-departmental alignment with organizational priorities to achieve organizational goals. Participates in external meetings and trainings, as required.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related human services field.
• 1+ year of work experience in similar social services environments (clinical and case management setting preferred).
• Bilingual (Spanish) required
• Strong technology skills including:
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.
  • Ability to use and maintain Salesforce customer relationship management (CRM) data quality.
• Commitment to Nourishing Hope’s mission and an understanding of and belief in the importance of food security for all.
• Familiarity with the interconnected barriers experienced by neighbors experiencing food insecurity, including but not limited to homelessness, mental and physical health, disability, substance use, and aging-related barriers.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (in person, over the phone, remotely, and in writing) and the ability to navigate challenging situations with patience and professionalism. 
• Proven ability to work independently and as a member of a team, including willingness to provide staff coverage, depending on programmatic need.
• Ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions. 
• A high level of professionalism, attention to detail, and a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and Saturdays

Highly Preferred

• Master’s degree in social work or related human services field.
• Previous experience in the hunger relief sectors, with familiarity with the Chicago human services ecosystem.
• Experience in Non-violent Crisis Intervention techniques.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to do sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
• Manual dexterity to use computer, mouse, telephone, and other standard office equipment
• Visual acuity (with or without correction) to read documents and computer screens.
• Ability to lift, bend, crouch, reach.
• Ability to occasionally work on one’s feet for most of the day.
• Ability to occasionally engage in prolonged standing and walking.

Salary and Benefits

Salary Range: $48,000 - $54,000

Full-time benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Paid birthday holiday
• Employee Assistance Program
• Parental leave
• Language pay
• $250 employee referral bonus
• Free subscription to mental wellness app

Background Check

Because we are a Medicaid provider all applicants who are offered employment with Nourishing Hope will be subject to a background screening. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background screening conducted in accordance with Nourishing Hope policy and federal, state and local laws.

We kindly ask that agencies and recruiters refrain from reaching out. Unsolicited sales messages will be blocked and reported as spam.