Wellness Advocate

Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc. is one of the largest human services providers in California. The Agency operates a variety of programs to serve the poor and strives to find permanent solutions to crisis situations by offering clients the tools and resources needed to achieve greater self-reliance and stability in their lives.

Catholic Charities operates 18 community centers, one residence and 7 homeless shelters and also serves the poor with multi-faceted programs, including: after-school child care; immigration, refugee, youth employment and psychological services; homework assistance and tutoring; English as a Second Language (ESL) and General Education diploma (GED) classes for adults; and services for homebound seniors and pregnant and parenting youth. In this way, Catholic Charities maintains a continuum of care for clients as they move from vulnerability to self-sufficiency.

The Wellness Advocate supports the overall well-being and successful reintegration of participants served under the BSCC Beacon of Hope grant. This position focuses on the personal, emotional, and practical needs of returning citizens by providing direct support, coordinating transportation, and navigating resources. In addition to supporting wellness activities, the Wellness Advocate will also participate in PREP’s “Grace on Wheels” Ride Home Program, helping to transport newly released participants safely to transitional housing, appointments, or supportive services as part of their reentry process.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct intake assessments to identify wellness, health, and basic needs of participants.
• Provide one-on-one and group support focused on emotional wellbeing, life skills, and healthy community reintegration.
• Develop individualized wellness plans that connect participants to housing, counseling, employment, and other services.
• Coordinate referrals to behavioral health, substance use treatment, or other community-based providers.
• Maintain ongoing communication and encouragement as participants work toward stability and independence.
• Coordinate and participate in transportation for returning citizens released from correctional facilities.
• Drive participants safely to approved destinations, ensuring dignity, safety, and compassionate support throughout the process.
• Communicate with program staff to confirm pick-up times, drop-off locations, and participant readiness.
• Maintain logs of transportation activities, mileage, and related expenses for BSCC reimbursement.
• Uphold PREP’s mission of hospitality and care through professional and empathetic interactions with each participant.
• Plan and facilitate wellness workshops, peer circles, or resource fairs that encourage healthy living and personal growth.
• Contribute to curriculum and materials that reflect PREP’s restorative justice approach.
• Participate in data collection and evaluation to measure outcomes and refine services.
• Work closely with the Project Manager, case managers, and Catholic Charities partners to ensure continuity of care.
• Communicate regularly about participant progress, barriers, and service needs.
• Support community outreach and reentry events, representing PREP with professionalism and compassion.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records in accordance with BSCC and Catholic Charities standards.
• Track participant services and submit reports required by BSCC and Catholic Charities.
• Document allowable costs, including participant supplies and transportation expenses.
• Ensure all program activities comply with BSCC grant guidelines and PREP’s internal policies.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Education and/or Experience:                                                        

• Minimum 1 year of experience in reentry, case management, or social services work with justice-involved individuals.
• Compassionate, trauma-informed approach to working with returning citizens.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Valid California driver’s license, clean driving record, and willingness to transport participants.
• Organized, dependable, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.

Catholic Charities offers a wide range of employee benefits to support the total wellness of its employees. Our competitive package provides the flexibility to select the benefits that best meets the employee’s needs. Benefits are effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan to include 401a/employer contribution only and 403(b)
• Supplemental Insurance (life, Accident, disability insurance, etc.)
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Care Spending Account Reimbursement accounts (HAS)
• Vacation days – 12 days per year
• Sick time – 10 days per year
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• 13 holidays per year for regular f/t & p/t employees
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Cell Phones for those working in Shelters or with Clients outside of the office 
• Employee Recognition - Annual Staff Appreciation Day Event
• Free Parking