What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Peer Advocate position at Leake and Watts Services, Inc.?
Overview
About Rising Ground
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 72,000 individuals annually. We do this through 101 programs across 138 sites, throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity is shown 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 New York City.
About The Role
Rapid Rehousing for Young Adults is a solution to homelessness designed to help young adults aged 18-24 quickly exit homelessness to permanent housing. The program provides rental assistance and support services that are tailored to the unique needs of the young person. The Youth Advocate provides peer support and system navigation to a case load of youth in the Rapid Rehousing Program.
Responsibilities
What You'll Do
Your Qualifications
Supervisory Responsibility
No
Work Environment
In the Field/In Office/Hybrid
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday in our Jamaica, Queens location. Work hours options are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm, 10 am - 6 pm.
Additional Requirements
It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency 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.
About Rising Ground
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 72,000 individuals annually. We do this through 101 programs across 138 sites, throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity is shown 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 New York City.
About The Role
Rapid Rehousing for Young Adults is a solution to homelessness designed to help young adults aged 18-24 quickly exit homelessness to permanent housing. The program provides rental assistance and support services that are tailored to the unique needs of the young person. The Youth Advocate provides peer support and system navigation to a case load of youth in the Rapid Rehousing Program.
Responsibilities
What You'll Do
- Assist program participants in obtaining and maintaining housing by providing frequent coaching and peer-to-peer mentoring.
- Support program participants in understanding the housing and social service system.
- Accompany program participants on appointment for mental health, health, education, employment and other concrete needs.
- Assist participants with concerns including housing, health care, social service and educational issues.
- Help youth to understand and follow their individualized plan.
- Assist with mediation of conflict between roommates enrolled in the program.
- Advocate for needs and best interest of program participants with case management staff.
- Act as a source of support for program participants and provide appropriate feedback to promote success.
- 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.
- Other duties that may be assigned.
Your Qualifications
- Must have lived experience/knowledge of the RHY system/foster care system and/or social service system in NYC
- Must have experience in youth development
- Ability to communicate well with others and motivate individuals towards personal goals
- Knowledge of computer systems
Supervisory Responsibility
No
Work Environment
In the Field/In Office/Hybrid
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday in our Jamaica, Queens location. Work hours options are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm, 10 am - 6 pm.
Additional Requirements
- Authorized to work in the U.S.
- Ability to work in-person in New York City (NY) for at least 3 days or more per week.
- Ability to travel to other Rising Ground sites (if required)
It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency 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.
