Professional Mentor "Friend"- Coachella Valley 2025
About The Position
Friends of the Children is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating generational change by empowering youth through relationships with professional mentors. They provide children facing significant obstacles with a long-term, paid, professional mentor, known as a "Friend," from kindergarten through high school graduation (12+ years), regardless of circumstances. The organization is seeking an exceptional professional to become a "Friend" in the Eastern Coachella Valley. Friends of the Children prioritizes children and uses its values to transform how youth facing barriers are treated and perceived. As a "Friend," you will cultivate long-term relationships based on love, acceptance, and supportive practices. The role involves helping urban, rural, and Indigenous youth realize their full potential by fostering their internal resilience and building community relationships to strengthen social networks and create new opportunities.
Requirements
- 2 or 4-year degree
- Alternatively, at least seven years’ progressive experience working with children and families will be considered in lieu of a college degree
- Willingness to commit for a minimum of three years.
- Advocate to secure additional resources, opportunities, and services for youth as appropriate
- Assist with systems navigation in schools to secure conditions for optimal academic success
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated ability to work with children in varied capacities and settings
- Ability to develop trusting relationships with children, families, teachers, and others involved in each child’s life
- Ability to work independently and as a team player
- Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
Nice To Haves
- Spanish language skills, including reading and writing preferred.
Responsibilities
- Develop and sustain a long-term, caring, protective, and loving relationship with each child.
- Spend time with children, one-on-one.
- Partner with parents/caregivers to provide concrete and social emotional supports for the family.
- Set realistic expectations and goals based on each child’s strengths, talents, abilities, and needs.
- Teach life skills and help develop a talent/skill/area of interest with each child.
- Deepen connections for youth through incorporating specific cultural knowledge in programming.
- Provide enrichment resources and activities that include opportunities for cultural identity development.
- Develop positive relationships with families, teachers, and others involved in each child’s life.
- Reinforce basic academic skills.
- Maintain a 40-hour work schedule that includes afternoons, evenings, and occasional weekends.
- Maintain spending within budgetary guidelines.
- Complete, distribute, and collect time summaries, activity journals, short-term plans, expense reports, and evaluations materials accurately and in a timely manner.
- Attend and actively participate in team meetings and staff functions.
- Maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
- Transport children in personal vehicle as required for mentoring activities. Mileage is reimbursed.
- Provide information and support to the development and executive team on related activities.
- Fulfill other responsibilities as requested.
Benefits
- Paid sick and vacation time.
- Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and long-term disability.
- 401k with 3% match.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
