At Project HOME, every role contributes to our mission of empowering individuals to achieve stability, wellness, and self-determination. As a Support Staff, you'll provide direct support within Philly Home at Girard, a low-barrier safe haven and respite program serving individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, behavioral health challenges, and chronic medical conditions.

Philly Home at Girard was designed to remove barriers to housing, healthcare, and recovery services by integrating residential services, medical care, behavioral health support, and recovery resources under one roof. Residents are often in active stages of substance use, recovery, or crisis and may require ongoing support, engagement, and intervention.

This role is ideal for individuals who thrive in dynamic environments, understand harm reduction principles, and are committed to supporting people with dignity, respect, and compassion.

• Location: Philly Home at Girard, 2100 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19130
• Schedule: Full-Time | Friday through Tuesday | 8:00AM to 4:00PM
• Compensation: $19.68/hour

Before You Apply

Philly Home at Girard is a low-barrier supportive housing and respite program.

Employees in this role should be comfortable:

• Working with residents who may be actively using substances.
• Supporting individuals experiencing mental health crises.
• Utilizing crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques regularly.
• Working with medically vulnerable individuals.
• Maintaining professional boundaries while building trusting relationships.
• Working independently during evening shifts.
• Supporting residents from a harm reduction and recovery-oriented perspective.

Candidates without experience working in behavioral health, homelessness services, recovery programs, shelters, residential services, or related human services settings may find this position challenging.

What You'll Do

Support Residents in a Low-Barrier Housing Environment

• Build respectful and trusting relationships with residents.
• Support individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, mental illness, and medical challenges.
• Encourage residents to engage with healthcare, behavioral health, housing, and recovery support services.
• Assist residents with daily living needs and community expectations.
• Promote a culture of dignity, respect, harm reduction, and personal growth.

Respond to Crisis Situations

• Conduct regular building rounds and wellness checks.
• Respond to behavioral health crises, conflicts, emergencies, and safety concerns.
• Utilize de-escalation techniques and sound judgment during challenging situations.
• Communicate urgent concerns to leadership and clinical teams.
• Document incidents and resident interactions accurately.

Maintain Health, Safety & Security

• Monitor access to the building and ensure only authorized individuals enter.
• Welcome residents, staff, visitors, and delivery personnel.
• Maintain visitor and delivery logs.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful community environment.
• Support emergency response procedures as needed.

Facilitate Engagement & Community Building

• Encourage participation in groups, activities, and recovery-focused programming.
• Support residents in building healthy routines and positive community connections.
• Facilitate wellness, recovery, and community-building activities when appropriate.
• Serve as a positive role model and advocate for resident success.

Communication & Documentation

• Complete timely and accurate documentation in electronic systems and staff logs.
• Participate in shift-change communication and team meetings.
• Communicate resident updates and concerns effectively.
• Follow agency policies and reporting requirements.

Daily Living, Kitchen & Medication Support

• Assist with laundry, room turnovers, and site-related tasks.
• Prepare and serve meals and snacks.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and closing procedures.
• Support medication monitoring activities in accordance with program guidelines.
• Assist residents with following medication protocols when appropriate.

What You'll Need

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.

Experience

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working in:
• Homelessness services
• Behavioral health
• Recovery support
• Substance use treatment
• Residential programs
• Human services
• Crisis intervention environments
• ServSafe Certification required at hire or obtained within 90 days of employment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience utilizing crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
• Ability to build respectful relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing situations.
• Commitment to harm reduction, recovery-oriented care, and person-centered services.

What You May Bring

While not required, the following qualifications may help you succeed in this role:

• Experience working in low-barrier housing, safe havens, shelters, or respite programs.
• Experience supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Experience working with substance use disorders and recovery services.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and harm reduction practices.
• Experience facilitating groups or community activities.
• Medication monitoring experience.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Teams and electronic documentation systems.
• Experience working with medically vulnerable populations.

What We Offer

Project HOME is committed to supporting the well-being of our employees through a comprehensive benefits package.

Eligible employees enjoy:

• Competitive compensation
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with low employee costs
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Generous Paid Time Off, including paid sabbatical leave
• Employee wellness programs
• Professional development and career growth opportunities

Who We Are

Project HOME is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness and poverty in Philadelphia. Through integrated housing, healthcare, education, employment, and supportive services, we empower individuals to break the cycle of homelessness and achieve lasting stability.

Philly Home at Girard is a low-barrier safe haven designed for individuals who have struggled to find stability elsewhere. Residents have access to integrated medical care, behavioral health services, case management, recovery support, and housing services under one roof, helping them take meaningful steps toward recovery, permanent housing, and long-term wellness.

We believe every person deserves dignity, opportunity, and the support needed to thrive.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Project HOME is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Project HOME conducts background checks, reference checks, and drug screenings on all final candidates as a condition of employment.