Sponsors is looking for a dynamic, self-motivated individual to manage our Women’s Program.  This program is designed to improve reentry success for women with criminal histories returning to Lane County from Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) correctional facilities in order to reduce recidivism and improve public safety.

Position will include managing staff, assessing clients (using a validated risk/assessment tool), and reporting on
program outcomes and accomplishments.  In addition, this person will screen potential clients prior to release from Coffee Creek Correctional Facility and will be responsible for managing and coordinating client services both in-house and with partner agencies.  This position reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the other program directors on outcomes. The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

• A minimum of a four-year college degree and two years experience, an associate (two year) degree and four years experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with people with criminal histories in their transition from prison to the community; knowledge of the barriers they face and local resources that are available to assist them.
• Experience managing grants, public speaking and light fundraising.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to manage and supervise a small staff in a professional manner, exercising professional boundaries and strong interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility on work hours/days depending on the requirements of peak workload.
• Experience with various computer software programs, including: Word, Word Perfect, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Spanish language proficiency is an asset.

Sponsors is a non-profit organization that has been providing reentry services to people with criminal
histories in Lane County since 1973.  The agency operates nine buildings on four sites for men and women and provides a range of services, including: transitional, long-term, and permanent housing; employment services; mentoring, case management, cognitive behavioral therapy and other ancillary services.

This position includes a liberal benefit package (health, dental, prescription, vision) for employee and dependents, and generous vacation. Salary is commensurate with experience.

To Apply:

Please hand deliver resume with three professional references to 338 Highway 99 North, as well as a no more than one-page letter explaining why you want this job and what special skills or abilities you would bring to the position by 5 PM on Tuesday, February 21, 2012.  Call Paul Solomon at (541)505-5652 for more information.

People with criminal histories and/or disabilities are encouraged to apply.

EUGENE, OR (October 28, 2011) — The Housing And Community Services Agency of Lane County (HACSA) has been chosen as a winner of the prestigious National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Awards for Roosevelt Crossing, a 72-bed transitional housing development specifically designed for returning ex-offenders run by Sponsors Inc.. HACSA is the only agency in Oregon to receive a NAHRO national award.

“There is a growing recognition for the need for re-entry and transition programs to assist formerly incarcerated persons to become community assets rather than public liabilities,” said NAHRO President Akinola Popoola. “Roosevelt Crossing provides a welcoming and uplifting environment for residents that promotes positive energy, resource efficiency and where they can receive services to help them integrate back into the community.”

HACSA partnered with Sponsors Inc., a local non-profit that had created a unique and successful model for returning ex-offenders to the community. The service program includes short- and long-term shelter, food, clothing, transportation, health care and counseling. Sponsors is based on the belief that people can and do change, and that a strategic intervention at the appropriate moment can serve as a catalyst in that change. Nearly 70% of program participants leave the Sponsors Inc. program fully employed, in full compliance with release requirements and with affordable and sustainable housing.

The Awards of Excellence are nominated from among the Award of Merit winners each year. They are chosen by national juries and presented at the annual National Conference and Exhibition, which was in St. Louis, MO from October 23^rd through October 25th.  They represent the very best in innovative programs in affordable housing and community development.

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, established in 1933, is a membership organization of over 23,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO’s membership administers more than 3 million housing units for 7.6 million people.

As the second largest public housing authority in Oregon, HACSA owns about 1500 units of affordable housing and administers the Section 8 housing choice voucher program, which provides housing for about 2,700 low-income families in Lane County. HACSA also manages a variety of community services programs, including a weatherization program that annually serves about 350 Lane County low-income home owners and renters. HACSA’s mission is making a difference in the quality of affordable housing and related community services.

Sponsors Inc. ranked highly in the third annual 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon project, which celebrates great workplaces in the nonprofit sector. Nearly 5,500 employees from 170 nonprofits statewide participated in this year’s survey, and Sponsors Inc. was ranked 20th for all medium size non-profits. (Medium sized is defined at 20-49 employees).

The nonprofit project is based on Oregon Business’ 19-year-old widely recognized 100 Best Companies project. There was no cost to enter the survey and any organization registered with the state as a nonprofit or not-for-profit group was eligible. The rankings were determined from staff assessments of their own non-profit.

Read more: 2011 List: 100 Best Nonprofits To Work For in Oregon

Thanks to all of you who signed postcards, sent letters and told the Lane County Board of Commissioners that you support Sponsors during the June 2011 budget hearings.  We got great coverage in the Register Guard to support Sponsors:

“Offender Programs Under the Budget Ax” (June 22, 2011)

Sponsors took a deep budget cut, but not as deep as originally proposed, all because our supporters took action. You can read some of the testimony by Sponsors graduates: Trish’s story and Daina’s story.

We’ll weather this storm, and keep providing solid re-entry services that keep families together. Thanks again for your support for re-entry services!