Full-Time
Bilingual Program Assistant for Workforce Development
Workforce Development
Posted on 8/19/2025
St. Francis House
51-200 employees
Non-profit day shelter with recovery services
Compensation Overview
$21.31 - $23.44/hr
Boston, MA, USA
In Person
 Administrative & Executive Assistance (1) |
|---|
- High School Diploma or equivalent required
- Bilingual Spanish/English (verbal and written)
- Customer service and administrative support: scheduling, event coordination, record-keeping, and supporting multiple staff
- Data entry, ordering, tracking, and restocking office/program supplies with attention to detail
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and quick to learn new software/databases
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
- Welcomes all visitors and helps them navigate the facility and understand the programs and services offered
- Acts as the main contact point for general department inquiries
- Distributes and accepts program applications and sets up appointments for program participants as needed
- Responsible for assisting with the coordination of all aspects of MAP graduation events including scheduling, creating the MAP graduation certificates, and the MAP Graduation Programs
- Provides follow-up retention outreach and support for former clients as requested by Managers or the Director
- Answers and directs telephone calls, emails, faxes and mail
- Maintains up-to-date and accurate records and enters data in all applicable databases
- Compiles and submits purchase receipts, maintains office supply inventory, and orders or restocks supplies as needed
- Collaborates proactively with colleagues within the department as well as across SFH departments
- Works as part of a team with Program Assistants from Behavioral Health and Housing to ensure consistency across departments
- Support coverage of Studio Shine as needed
- Support WFD staff with projects as needed
- Adheres to agency code of conduct
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field preferred
- Experience working with people who have experienced homelessness or in a human services setting preferred
- Lived experience of homelessness and/or recovery a plus
St. Francis House operates the largest day shelter in Massachusetts, serving adults experiencing homelessness. It provides daily meals, clothing, showers, and a broad mix of services that address both immediate needs and underlying causes. Its programs include behavioral health care, substance abuse counseling, and workforce development, along with a 46-bed recovery program (Sullivan MAP) for substance use disorders. The organization also runs social enterprises, such as a 40-unit affordable housing building in Fenway, to offer housing and generate revenue. It serves more than 500 people daily and is funded through donations, grants, and program income. What sets it apart is its integrated, holistic approach that combines shelter, health services, recovery support, and housing within one nonprofit system, plus its long history since 1984 and its in-house housing and recovery initiatives. Its goal is to help guests achieve stability and move from homelessness toward independence.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
N/A
Founded
1984
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Trauma-informed renovation at Boston site enhances guest services in 2026.
- Boston ORS van connects guests to Women's Lunch Place and Rosie's Place.
- Partnership with Boston Health Care delivers on-site primary and urgent care.
What critics are saying
- Downtown Gainesville center closes mid-April 2026, halting day services.
- No buyer for 11,000 sq ft property delays new location within 6 months.
- Sunrise Inn sale fails to replicate revenue, causing financial collapse by 2028.
What makes St. Francis House unique
- Largest day shelter in New England serves 500+ homeless daily since 1984.
- Integrated campus at 39 Boylston offers meals, medical clinic, recovery programs.
- Sullivan Family MAP provides 46-bed substance abuse recovery for guests.
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Benefits
Hybrid Work Options
Company News
St. Francis House to permanently close its downtown center in april. Mar 16, 2026 3:43 pm St. Francis House announced on March 16 that its downtown shelter and service center would close by mid-April. Key Points * St. Francis House will permanently close its downtown shelter and service center by mid-April to sell the building and stabilize finances. * The nonprofit will stop its Day Services Program and emergency shelter at the downtown location in 2024 while continuing services at Arbor House. * St. Francis House sold its 35-unit Sunrise Inn to Alachua County as part of restructuring and hopes to open a new service location after selling the downtown center. St. Francis House announced Monday that its downtown shelter and service center would permanently close as the nonprofit homeless provider tries to sell the building. A press release said St. Francis House would stop its Day Services Program on Friday. The program provides access to case management services, donations, meals, laundry facilities, client phones and bathrooms. St. Francis House will end emergency shelter and cold night shelter at the location by mid-April, the press release said. Become A Member Mainstreet does not have a paywall, but pavement-pounding journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible. See Member Benefits The closure of the nonprofit's downtown location, bought in 1993, has been foreshadowed for years. St. Francis House Treasurer Al Cockerell told Mainstreet in 2024 that the nonprofit was searching for a buyer to stabilize finances and pivot services. As part of its restructuring, the nonprofit sold its 35-unit Sunrise Inn to Alachua County. "For many years, St. Francis House has been committed to helping women and families with children experiencing homelessness create new futures," the press release said. "While these changes are difficult, our mission continues, and we remain dedicated to supporting women and families as they work toward stability and housing." St. Francis House will continue to operate Arbor House, a program helping women and children find a permanent home and stability. The press release said the nonprofit is hopeful to open a new location to continue the discontinued services. But a new space remains pending, contingent upon the sale of the downtown center. The center has just over 11,000 square feet and sits on an acre of prime real estate. The property fronts South Main Street on the west and SE Fourth Avenue to the north in Gainesville. Share this post: Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on Email * Seth Johnson Seth Johnson is a Mainstreet Daily News associate editor based in Gainesville. He earned a degree in journalism and mass communication and served as editor-in-chief of his school newspaper. Seth is a bookworm and chess nerd, but he tempers these activities by playing sports and biking. Suggested articles. 10 Comments This is very disheartening. There are a lot of unhoused people downtown who need these services, so it was an opportune location. I worry for the people who need assistance in the interim. They need to clean up Downtown. Too much crime, homelessness and vagrancy. Kimberly Townsend Palmer Reply to joe Oh. Exactly what St. Francis would say!!! What the bloody HELL are you talking about??? Reply to joe Thank you the delusional progressive policy promoting homelessness have destroyed downtown Gainesville How disappointing. St. Francis House has been a leader in providing shelter and services in the community for over 40 years. I hope they will be able to continue in the future. the many have received help from st. Francis House, nearly half a century... Church | people are great miracle workers. Give praise | for miracle workers. At the same time ,time has grown. Prime location for what is now not 50 years ago. God is the director. Sherparding flock ... Help is always on the way. So did a developer buy it and gonna build condos? Sharon Keith Maybe Main Street Daily News need to re-think how Main Street Daily News help mothers, fathers and families determine their best futures. Please advise them of their choices now and ask President Trump (a good agent) to bring forth quickly all that Golden Treasure In its NEW TREASURY now in Temple, Texas! Maybe I can help. How unfortunate. Absent the services St. Francis House has provided, Main Street Daily News'll see more needy, desperate homeless people downtown with nothing to lose. At least with St. Francis they could have a meal, shelter from the cold, general delivery for USPS mail, etc. Now, nothing. Justin Smith The closing of St. Francis House is an incredible loss to foundational services for the homeless population in downtown Gainesville. There is no other reliable, daily option for hot meals, showers, and basic necessities (clothing, toiletries) for folks who are struggling against or who have succumb to the trauma, pressures, and barriers that bring and trap people to living a life on the street. While there are a multitude of piecemeal services people can try to navigate to get what they need, to do so further removes folks from a constant resource that is desperately needed.
That's why, during its GOC Membership Drive, Goclubhouse is working with partners like St. Francis House, Meridian Healthcare, UF Health Psychiatric Services, and Elite DNA.