We're Hiring! Full-time and Part-time positions at DIMH

Job Title: Shelter Staff – Women’s and Children’s Shelter

Location: Dover, DE

Position Type: Full-Time and Part-Time, Multiple Positions Available

Compensation: $15 an hour

Shifts:

- Day Shift: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (4 positions available)

- Evening Shift: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM (1 or 2 positions available)

- Weekend Shifts: 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM (2 positions)

Start Date: Tentatively January 2025

Mandatory Training: Begins December 2024

Job Summary:

We are seeking caring, dedicated individuals to join our team as Shelter Staff for our new

women’s and children’s shelter. In this role, you will provide essential support to our

residents, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment. You will work directly with women

and children, many of whom have experienced trauma, and help foster an atmosphere of

trust and respect.

Key Responsibilities:

- Monitor and ensure the safety and security of shelter residents

- Assist with intake and assessment of new residents, ensuring all paperwork and protocols

are followed

- Offer emotional support and guidance, maintaining a trauma-informed approach

- Respond to crises and emergencies in a calm and professional manner

- Collaborate with case managers and other staff to ensure holistic care for residents

- Assist with daily operations such as distributing meals, overseeing chores, and

maintaining a clean and welcoming shelter environment

- Ensure adherence to shelter rules and protocols, including maintaining privacy and

confidentiality

- Participate in ongoing training and staff development, including mandatory December

training

Qualifications:

- Education: High school diploma or GED required. Relevant coursework or certifications in

social work, human services, or related fields preferred.

- Compassionate, empathetic, and patient with strong interpersonal skills

- Experience in social services, particularly in a women’s shelter or housing setting, is a

plus

- Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those who have

experienced trauma

- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to handle emergencies

- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

- Flexibility to work assigned shifts, including evenings and overnights

Skills:

- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

- Ability to remain calm and professional in high-pressure situations.

- Basic computer skills for data entry and communication.

- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Additional Requirements:

- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays.

- Physical ability to perform building checks and respond to emergencies.

- A valid driver’s license may be required depending on shelter needs.

- Successful completion of a background check.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing is an equal opportunity employer and does not

discriminate based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected

status. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Interested in applying? Send your resume to: information@doverinterfaith.org

Generosity in Action: A Heartwarming Donation from Candor Consulting Firm

We are thrilled to spotlight a recent donation from Candor Consulting Firm, led by the compassionate Armina N. Domingue, LMSW. This generous gift, brimming with essential items for babies and infants, including a substantial supply of diapers, will significantly support the families we serve at Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing. Each donation like this brings warmth, relief, and support to those in need, emphasizing the powerful impact of community kindness. Thank you, Armina, and everyone at Candor Consulting Firm, for your dedication to making a difference!

DIMH featured in WHYY News Article

As Delaware’s homeless population rises, a new shelter looks to offer hope and healing in Dover

Read more here

By Johnny Perez-Gonzalez October 24, 2024

A Dover organization is set to open a new shelter by January 2025, providing vital support for women and children amid Delaware’s ongoing homelessness crisis.

Dover's welcome sign. (City of Dover via Facebook)

More than 1,350 people are experiencing homelessness in Delaware, according to the most recent Point-In-Time count, and women and girls make up 43% of that number. Across genders, nearly one in five are adults with children, highlighting an urgent need for support systems that address the vulnerabilities of families in crisis.

The state’s homeless population increased by 9% in the last year. And as numbers rise, shelters like Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing’s new women and children shelter are stepping in to offer support.

The demand for such services is felt statewide, according to Shirlene Webster, executive director of the Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing.

“Since conception, we have only focused on men, [we saw] there was absolutely a need for women and children shelters as well,” she said. “The overall vision is not to just provide emergency shelter, which of course is one of the main priorities … but it is also to really try to get down to the bottom of the reason why they may be unhoused.”

Since 2008, the organization has committed to serving the homeless population with services, including influence case management, housing assistance and employment support, while providing people with a reliable address. Initially focused on men, the organization has expanded its mission to include women and children in the broader community.

The new shelter will house up to 39 people, combining single women and mothers with children, offering a safe place to sleep and services aimed at long-term stability. The facility features a dormitory-style layout with shared bathrooms. Unlike many shelters, it’s designed to cater to the unique needs of families.

“For example, we will be bringing in in-house mental health as well as substance abuse [treatment],” Webster said. “So often we’re not getting down to the root of what’s causing it. So we can address the mental health piece, as well as give individuals life skills and tools to go out to be able to maintain employment. Which, of course, we know then leads to finding stable housing.”

Recognizing the barriers many women face, the shelter will also offer in-house childcare to empower mothers.

“While moms are on site, if they need to complete classes or fill out job applications, or even if it’s just simply taking a shower, we’ll have those in-house volunteers to help take care of the children,” she explained.

Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing wants to officially open by mid-January.

“We have four different dorms and they have shared dorm bathrooms. Each dorm can have up to 10 individuals,” she said. “We have a designated playroom, washers and dryers, we have bathrooms that are ADA accessible, bathrooms that have tubs, [an] industrial kitchen, a multi-purpose room and we also have a library.”

They are currently seeking donations, whether in the form of books and board games for their playroom and library, or monetary contributions to help build a playground in spring 2025.

As Delaware continues to confront its homelessness crisis, the organization plans to break ground for another building in 2025 that will include a clinic offering a range of services, such as dentistry, pediatrics, ophthalmology and medical transportation.