New Roots Program Assistant- Senior Wellness Program

 IRC Background: 

The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home. IRC opened an office in Seattle in 1976 and provides a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Washington State. IRC Seattle is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Job Overview: 

IRC Seattle’s New Roots program’s purpose is to create nourishing spaces for refugee, immigrant, and BIPOC communities living in Coast Salish lands to rebuild roots and community through land and cultural food access. The Senior Wellness Specialist plays an integral part to the New Roots team by providing intensive support to and engaging with participants in the Refugee Senior program through various monthly activities and modes of contact, such as virtual workshops and in-person field trips. In addition, the Specialist will conduct community outreach to help build out a culturally and age-appropriate referral network for program participants to further reduce feelings of isolation and increase social support. The Senior Wellness Specialist works closely with other New Roots projects and may also provide general support in adjacent areas including but not limited to food security screening calls and food access projects. This is an excellent position for someone who believes in participant-informed programming, and is creative, caring, collaborative and passionate about community building, food justice, and the importance of food and culture.

Major Responsibilities: 

• Coordinate the Refugee Senior program
• Understand the interests, needs and aspirations of the participants to ensure program design and activities are participant informed.
• Facilitate virtual workshops by creating curriculum or finding guest speakers to engage program participants with varying English proficiency levels.
• Coordinate field trips including arranging transportation for program participants, booking tours or community centers for activities, ordering lunch, and coordinating interpreter schedules.
• Collaborate with New Roots volunteers to delegate tasks and support program implementation.
• Call program participants as needed for planning activities, and to provide and follow up with referrals to services.
• Additional calls may be necessary for seasonal needs including enrollment, surveys or program updates.
• Work with professional interpreters to convey information in client’s language (training provided).
• Assist in grocery purchase and delivery to seniors in coordination with the food distribution team
  Community Outreach and Network Development
• Identify and cultivate community partnerships with local and regional organizations that support refugee health and wellness and/or offer free or low-barrier access to resources.
• Document established partnerships with pertinent information including contact information, referral process, populations they serve, services offered, and eligibility criteria.
• Develop a succession plan for participants to ensure they graduate out of the program with a strong social support system in place.
  

 Other Program Support

•  Contribute to program development through identifying areas for improvement, expansion or gaps in services.

Support other food access projects for IRC clients and community members as they arise.

Key Working Relationships: 
Position Reports to:  New Roots Program Manager
Indirect Reporting:  Health and Wellness Program Manager 
Position directly supervises: New Roots volunteers as needed 

Other Internal and/or external contacts: 
Internal:  New Roots Team, other IRC Seattle program teams, IRC Seattle Finance and Operations teams, IRC Seattle Development, External Communications, and Volunteer support teams
External: Interpreters, community partners