Youth Advocate - Residential Support

Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center (LYRIC)•San Francisco, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

LYRIC (Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center) has been a home base for LGBTQQ+ youth in San Francisco since 1988, supporting nearly 2,000 young people annually through programs focused on love, equity, and youth leadership. With a budget over $4M and a dedicated staff, LYRIC provides a space for young people, particularly trans, nonbinary, BIPOC, disabled, undocumented, and system-impacted youth, to lead, heal, and thrive. The Youth Advocate role is part of the Youth Services Team, supporting LGBTQQ+ youth and young adults through community-based programs and supportive housing initiatives. This role is crucial for program planning, implementation, and evaluation, offering direct services, case management, youth leadership development, housing stabilization support, and community-building opportunities. The position works with youth facing housing instability, homelessness, mental health challenges, system involvement, and other barriers. Youth Advocates also support formerly homeless young adults in LYRIC-affiliated housing by promoting housing stability, independent living skills, and community engagement. This is a full-time, in-person position, with occasional evenings, weekends, and crisis response duties required.

Requirements

At least 2 years of experience in youth development, case management, supportive housing, residential services, homelessness services, program coordination, or direct service work.
Experience working in supportive housing, transitional housing, or residential programs.
Experience working with LGBTQQ+ youth and young adults.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care, positive youth development, restorative practices, and harm reduction approaches.
Experience providing crisis intervention, conflict mediation, and de-escalation support.
Familiarity with issues impacting youth experiencing homelessness, housing instability, foster care involvement, or system involvement.
Strong group facilitation, relationship-building, and communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to maintain accurate documentation.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, and online data management systems.
Ability to work effectively in a multiracial, multicultural, multi-gendered, and intergenerational environment.
Knowledge of San Francisco and Bay Area resources serving LGBTQQ+ communities and youth of color.
Experience developing curriculum and facilitating youth leadership programs.

Responsibilities

Provide youth-centered, culturally responsive case management and advocacy services for LGBTQQ+ youth and young adults.
Conduct intakes, assessments, goal planning, and individualized service plans using strength-based, trauma-informed, and social justice-centered approaches.
Maintain an active caseload and support participants in achieving goals related to housing, education, employment, health, financial stability, and personal development.
Provide supportive residential services for formerly homeless LGBTQQ+ young adults living in LYRIC-affiliated housing programs.
Build trusting relationships with youth and residents while fostering a safe, welcoming, affirming, and community-oriented environment.
Conduct regular wellness check-ins and provide ongoing support to promote housing retention, personal growth, and overall well-being.
Assist residents in developing independent living skills, including budgeting, meal planning, housekeeping, time management, communication, conflict resolution, and navigating landlord-tenant relationships.
Support participants in accessing healthcare, behavioral health services, public benefits, employment resources, educational opportunities, legal services, and other community resources.
Ensure smooth transitions between LYRIC services, housing programs, and external systems of care.
Provide crisis intervention, conflict mediation, de-escalation, and safety planning in response to emergencies, mental health concerns, interpersonal conflicts, and housing-related issues.
Support residents in understanding and complying with housing policies, community agreements, and program expectations using restorative justice and harm reduction practices.
Develop, implement, and evaluate youth development programming rooted in evidence-based and culturally responsive practices.
Facilitate support groups, leadership development programs, workshops, and skill-building activities.
Develop and deliver curriculum utilizing popular education, thematic learning, and project-based approaches.
Create opportunities for youth leadership, civic engagement, peer mentorship, and community building.
Supervise, coach, and mentor youth leaders and facilitators.
Support youth in identifying strengths, building resilience, and developing pathways toward self-determination.
Conduct outreach to high-need communities, including QTBIPOC youth, undocumented youth, youth experiencing homelessness, disabled youth, youth engaged in survival economies, and youth living with chronic health needs.
Develop and maintain relationships with schools, supportive housing providers, healthcare organizations, community-based organizations, and public agencies.
Coordinate referrals and collaborate with service providers to ensure comprehensive and coordinated support for participants.
Represent LYRIC at community events, coalitions, meetings, and outreach activities.
Coordinate and support youth-led events, workshops, and community gatherings.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records across multiple databases and reporting systems.
Document participant contacts, assessments, service plans, referrals, housing-related incidents, and progress toward goals.
Complete data entry and reporting requirements in accordance with organizational, funder, and regulatory standards.
Coordinate closely with case managers, behavioral health providers, property management staff, and community partners to support participant success and housing stability.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, supervision, organizational retreats, and team-building activities.
Support organization-wide events, initiatives, and special projects.
Participate in emergency response, on-call coverage, or crisis support as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Show up for youth and community with heart, integrity, accountability, and vision.

Benefits

$800 annual Health & Wellness Cash Supplement
$1,000 annual Professional Development Fund
100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and acupuncture/chiropractic coverage
Optional Health FSA and commuter benefits
403(b) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match
19 paid holidays, including birthday leave and winter closure
19 vacation days
18 sick days
1 personal day
Bereavement, jury duty, and critical incident leave