Street Outreach and Aftercare Case Manager
Covenant House Illinois
Chicago, IL
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.