Rest Here is a Drop-In Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is a low-barrier, participant-centered drop-in program that prioritizes dignity, connection, and care for people who use drugs and those at risk of overdose, while increasing access to health and social services.
Rest Here provides a low-threshold, trauma-informed hub offering critical overdose prevention services, including safer use supplies, overdose prevention resources, drug checking, wound care, mental health counseling, and pathways to substance use treatment for those who want it. The Center addresses basic needs—such as food (one hot meal/day), toilets, showers, storage, a clothing closet, laundry, computers, and phone charging—within a welcoming and dignified environment. A robust monthly schedule features a wide range of engaging sessions focused on education, skill building, health and wellness, overdose prevention, and peer-led social support.
The Rest Here Program Supervisor position is situated within the Community Outreach and Homeless Services Department at Liberation Programs. This department was established by Liberation to bridge the gap between overdose prevention and risk reduction and traditional addiction treatment approaches, and assists the organization in offering low-barrier, culturally competent, trauma informed outreach to people who use drugs, in an emotionally safe environment, while delivering practical interventions.
The Rest Here Program Supervisor will be central to shaping the day-to-day culture and consistency of the Center on weekends. An effective Program Supervisor will be grounded in overdose prevention theory and practice and have comprehensive working knowledge of Bridgeport and state-wide homelessness, healthcare, behavioral health and housing services and relevant community resources. People with lived experience of drug use and/or homelessness are strongly encouraged to apply.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
- Mentor Peers
- Ensure that the Center operates on weekends in accordance with its policies and protocols, which reflect a deep commitment to overdose prevention principles, lived experience leadership, and equitable service delivery for historically marginalized communities
- Refer to Center members to substance use treatment, housing, and other services and ensure a warm hand off and detailed follow up.
- Provide education and support related to all overdose prevention topics, and provide relevant tools and support including infectious diseases and the risks associated with contaminated drug equipment
- Oversee open/close of Center and hot meal service on weekends
- Inventory and stock supplies, including in the Overdose Prevention vending machine
- Maintain a physically clean environment in and around the Center
- Ensure the upkeep of documentation and records related to Center use and referrals to services on weekends
Peer staff, recruited from within the community, are at the core of Rest Here’s model. They are not only service recipients but also co-creators and leaders in programming. These individuals participate in a structured apprenticeship track—either as Peer 1s (not yet job-ready, completing a three-year certification and practicum) or Peer 2s (employment-ready individuals pursuing a shorter certification and practicum track). To support this apprenticeship program, the Program Supervisor in collaboration with the Program Manager will:
- Maintain a supportive environment for Peer trainees.
- Provide food, a centralized space to attend training together, laptops and a staff support person for Peer trainees to complete their training curriculum.
- Host graduation ceremony for Peer trainees who complete the training program and practicum.
Skills / Experience Required
- Must be able to work effectively with populations that have experienced vulnerability, trauma, economic poverty, incarceration, substance use, developmental delays, compromised mental wellness, brain injuries, literacy and numeracy issues, and/or other conditions or situations that have impacted housing stability
- Must have experience and be comfortable with an overdose prevention approach, delivering overdose prevention services and supplies (including safer injection and safer smoking kits), and be able to embrace “meeting people where they are” without judgment or expectation.
- Must have excellent communication skills.
- Must be able to deliver services respectfully and ensure all participants are treated with respect and dignity and feel supported.
- Highly motivated, creative problem solver
- Project a professional demeanor and exercise mature judgment
- Knowledge of community resources
- Strong organization skills and the ability to coordinate and complete multiple tasks simultaneously
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including telephone communication
- Ability to work independently and with a group, and maintain good working relationships with organizational staff and partners
- Strong computer skills
- Must adhere to all professional standards and ethical practices, including creating and maintaining healthy boundaries and professional relationships with clients, co-workers, and others
Most employees of Liberation Programs are funded by a variety of grants, governmental programs, and endowment sources. Continued employment is contingent upon continued receipt of those funds.
This position is part-time, 16 hours per week, Saturday & Sunday 12pm-8pm
What We Offer
- Competition Compensation
- Comprehensive Benefits
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Referral Bonuses
- 401K
- FSA
- HSA
- Employee Assistance Program
