Youth Peer Advocate/Navigator

Company Overview: Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 25,000 individuals. We do this through 50 programs in 70 locations throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity shows not just through our work with supported persons but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve. Rising Ground is headquartered in downtown Brooklyn.

Job Summary:

The Roadmap to Adulthood Program is designed to empower and support youth impacted by homelessness (RHY) through employees who offer lived expertise and new ideas relevant to RHY youth.

This unique program values a sense of self and allows staff to be vulnerable, creating strong relationships with RHY youth and encouraging their active participation in the community. The program aims to strengthen unity and understanding between service workers and service users, deescalate conflicts, and enhance interpersonal skills, mental health awareness, create a youth council body and knowledge of RHY services and aftercare. By actively practicing essential life skills, youth are better prepared for adulthood and life after homelessness.

Job Responsibilities:

●Conduct weekly workshops at assigned sites

● Accompany program participants on appointment for mental health, health, education,

employment and other concrete needs.

● Advocate for needs and best interest of program participants with case management staff.

● Participate in treatment team meetings, service plan reviews, intake meetings and discharge

conferences to represent the needs and best interest of program participants.

● Document all interactions and meetings in progress notes.

● Support Youth during the discharge process as well as appeals related to the program.

● Provide youth with access to resources and organizations that support employment stability,

mental health, and advocacy.

● Provide assistance to the peer manager in the development of RHY projects, events, and

programming.

Qualifications: High School diploma, College experience preferred.

Work Environment:

Normal

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

35

Travel (if required): Yes. As needed

Physical Requirements:

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Funding & Employment Status

Please note: This position is contract-based and funded by the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). Employment is contingent upon the availability of continued funding.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency wholly complies with equal treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to an individual’s perceived or actual race, creed, color, national origin, alienate, citizenship status, gender, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or veteran status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.