Outreach Case Manager

Location: Chicago, IL (West Side & citywide outreach)
Organization: Covenant House Illinois
Employment Type: Full-Time

About Covenant House Illinois

Founded in 2017, Covenant House Illinois (CHIL) provides safety, shelter, and supportive services to young people ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness throughout Chicagoland and across Illinois. To date, CHIL has served nearly 2,000 youth through wraparound, trauma-informed services including interim and transitional housing, street outreach, workforce and education programs, clinical case management, and life-skills development.

With a newly renovated West Side campus and a recently launched three-year strategic plan, CHIL is expanding its impact and deepening its commitment to helping young people achieve long-term housing stability and independence. Our work is youth-affirming, grounded in harm reduction, and centered on dignity, safety, and respect.

Position Summary

The Outreach Case Manager plays a critical role in connecting youth experiencing homelessness with housing, resources, and long-term support. This position provides street-based outreach and intensive case management for youth who are unsheltered or in temporary housing, helping them overcome barriers to stability and independence.

This role requires frequent travel throughout Chicago to engage youth where they are — including on the streets, in shelters, hospitals, and other community settings. The Outreach Case Manager works collaboratively with internal teams and community partners to deliver compassionate, goal-oriented, trauma-informed services.

Key Responsibilities

Outreach & Engagement

  • Conduct street-based outreach to engage youth experiencing unsheltered and unstable housing

  • Build trust and rapport with youth through consistent, respectful, and trauma-informed engagement

  • Provide housing navigation support, including assistance with applications, documentation, and referrals

  • Engage youth in diverse environments such as streets, shelters, hospitals, and community locations

  • Participate in citywide homeless outreach systems and coordinated outreach efforts

  • Respond to youth inquiries via social media and email regarding shelter and services

Case Management & Aftercare

  • Provide ongoing case management and aftercare support for youth transitioning into housing

  • Support youth for up to six months post-housing with biweekly check-ins

  • Link youth to healthcare, mental health, education, employment, and workforce services

  • Assist youth in obtaining identification and enrolling in mainstream benefits

  • Attend appointments with youth as needed to support engagement and follow-through

Collaboration & Advocacy

  • Coordinate referrals with community-based organizations and service providers

  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with community partners, outreach teams, and stakeholders

  • Advocate for the needs of youth within community systems and service networks

Documentation & Compliance

  • Maintain accurate, timely, and organized case records

  • Enter data into required systems (e.g., HMIS, ETO)

  • Participate in case conferencing, team meetings, and program evaluation

  • Conduct follow-ups and wellness checks on outreach and aftercare youth

Professional Development & Team Participation

  • Participate in staff meetings, trainings, supervision, and professional development activities

  • Support a team-based, respectful, and mission-aligned work environment

  • Participate in weekend and holiday rotations to support 24/7 clinical coverage

  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field required (Master’s preferred)

  • 2–3 years of experience working with at-risk or unhoused youth

  • Experience providing street-based or community outreach services strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Strong understanding of homelessness, housing instability, and youth development

  • Experience working within Harm Reduction, Housing First, Trauma-Informed Care, and Motivational Interviewing frameworks

  • Excellent organizational, communication, and time-management skills

  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

  • Effective crisis intervention and de-escalation skills

  • Comfort working with highly vulnerable populations in non-traditional settings

  • Ability to accurately document services and manage data systems (HMIS, ETO, or similar)

  • Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development

  • Ability to manage emotional demands of the role using healthy self-care practices

Working Conditions

  • Flexible schedule required, including evenings, weekends, and holidays

  • Ability to travel throughout Chicago and surrounding areas

  • Valid Illinois Driver’s License with acceptable driving record

  • Ability to drive agency or personal vehicles as needed

  • Ability to stand, walk, or sit for extended periods

  • Light lifting required

  • Annual TB test required

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Covenant House Illinois, diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to who we are. We believe a team with diverse lived experiences and perspectives is essential to serving our youth effectively. We are committed to continuous learning, honest reflection, and creating a workplace where all team members feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.

Covenant House Illinois is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status.