JOB OPPORTUNITY
CHANGING VOICES CASE MANAGER
To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to jobs@storycatcherstheatre.org with the position title in the subject line.
About Storycatchers Theatre.
Storycatchers Theatre guides young people to transform their traumatic experiences into powerful musical theatre, developing the courage and vision to become leaders and mentors. By creating support for youth within the criminal justice system, Storycatchers prepares them to change their lives and emerge successfully from court involvement. We dedicate all our resources to meet the complex needs of adolescents and young adults who have become involved in the justice system. We have worked with young people in the Illinois juvenile justice system since 1990, developing and refining a nationally recognized, award-winning, trauma-informed creative youth development methodology. We conduct year-round residential programs in three separate juvenile justice facilities and offer a post-release performing arts jobs program, Changing Voices, to young people navigating reentry to Chicago.
We are a collaborative organization that believes in committing to each other as well as the youth we serve. We implement a uniquely effective arts education model that helps marginalized young people develop the capacity to envision and pursue meaningful futures. We believe in second chances.
Since 1984, Storycatchers Theatre has been empowering court-involved youth to craft and perform musical theatre from their own personal stories of growing up in Illinois’ underserved neighborhoods. Using an award-winning and transformational writing methodology, these youth develop the skills needed to successfully re-enter society and move beyond their histories to become peer mentors, civic influencers, and agents of change in our community.
Efforts include three residential programs inside juvenile justice facilities and “Changing Voices,” a temporary post-release employment program of 17–24-year-olds who write, rehearse, produce, and tour their original musicals to civic leaders, Illinois judges, at-risk youth, and other influential audiences to create space for crucial conversations.
Our Core Values.
- We commit to each other. We hold strong to our own integrity, beliefs, and actions. We care for each other, acknowledging our traumas and joys, challenges, and celebrations. We show up in the face of adversity; and with our shared trust, inspire others to realize the true measure of bravery in moving forward together.
- We commit to our community. We strive to create a place of safety and resource for young people. We do this by connecting with allies who share our values and understand what can be accomplished with a network of support. Through this collaborative vision, we provide young people with the stability that is necessary for meaningful growth.
- We respect that everyone has a unique story.We see each person’s story as a remarkable gift. We value the diversity of our staff and youth’s unique perspectives and their impact on our collaborative process. This allows us to expand boundaries and create innovative solutions to address challenges that often seem unconquerable.
- We believe that youth can be the authors of their own lives. By letting the youth voices guide our work, we develop a common language, build trust, and give them tools to unlock their potential. We affirm their lived experience and use the power of applause, positive reinforcement, and public acknowledgment to create a lasting sense of personal value for our entire Storycatchers community.
- We are innovative. We believe that paired together, creativity and purpose are the keys to tackling the complex challenges confronting youth. We explore and play, using our values to test boundaries and discover solutions that transcend traditional ideas and rules. We combine ingenuity and resources in extraordinary ways to develop art and the facility to make real change.
About the Changing Voices (CV) Program.
CV is a 30-hour per week, year-round supported employment program composed of system-impacted 17-24-year-olds. We define ‘system-impacted’ as anyone who has been recently released from arrest, detention, or incarceration; are on probation; or are enrolled in community-based alternatives to incarceration. The program, which has an eight-month enrollment period for groups of up to 21 youth at a time, uses story-writing, performances, civic engagement, job/life skills training, and case management support to empower youth to meet personal goals. Under the guidance of trained teaching artists, youth collaborate to create and perform original musical theatre inspired by their personal stories while also receiving comprehensive case management support.
Position Summary.
The Changing Voices Case Manager (CM) supports current participants of our post-release employment program (Changing Voices) in establishing goals, navigating challenges, and empowering participants to create pathways towards their dreams. The CM is responsible for working collaboratively with the Changing Voices Program Manager and teaching artist team to support the daily operation of the 8-month Changing Voices Program. The CM will also lead in maintaining and facilitating the Changing Voices clinical curriculum.
The CM reports to the Changing Voices Program Manager.
Job Duties and Expectations.
- Provide individual, holistic case management services to current participants of the Changing Voices Program.
- Complete individualized biopsychosocial-spiritual assessments as part of the program intake process.
- Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress to goals described in case plan.
- Determine and advocate for required resources.
- Attend participants’ meetings with providers to assess care and service received.
- Develop and maintain relationships with participants.
- Collaborate with partners to evaluate participants’ status and provide follow-ups.
- Maintain confidential and current documentation of case progress.
- Establish graduation plans during the final month of programming to determine the level of aftercare support needed.
- Lead weekly all-group social-emotional and life skills workshops.
- Support program staff to provide crisis intervention services during programming.
- Proactively identify potential conflicts between participants.
- Facilitate peace circles and mediation as necessary between staff and/or youth.
- Intervene in crisis situations to find emergency resources.
- Work with program staff to facilitate the application and hiring process.
- Supervise the Changing Voices Aftercare Therapist.
- Maintain and grow partnerships with local and national social work and counseling field placement programs.
- Provide individualized aftercare case management services self-determined by the needs and goals of each Changing Voices participant for up to one year.
- Evaluate and create reports of client progress.
Qualifications.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Deeply knowledgeable in establishing trauma-informed practices in youth programming spaces.
- Previous experience providing individual case management services.
- Previous experience facilitating mediations and peace circles.
- Knowledgeable about the criminal legal system and its impact on disinvested communities in Chicago.
- Experience working in a collaborative setting.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office or similar programs.
- Mission-driven with a strong work ethic, well-organized, reliable, flexible, and upbeat.
Required Availability.
- Full time position – 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday
Compensation and benefits.
- 100% paid enrollment in the company health plan.
- Paid federal holidays and 20 days of PTO after one year of employment.
- Weekly clinical supervision toward LCSW licensure is provided at no cost.
- Licensure costs are paid in full by the organization.
- Flexible working environment with virtual Fridays on a weekly basis.
- The salary for this position is $55,000.