Youth Advocate

AYA Youth Collective•Grand Rapids, MI

About The Position

Position Summary: The Youth Advocate is responsible for creating and maintaining an environment that is welcoming, safe and affirming to youth members (ages 14-24) who are experiencing unsafe/unstable housing or are literally homeless. By engaging and building authentic relationships, this person will come alongside members to support them in moving from crisis to connected. Along with being a vital part of Drop In, this person will also manage the Welcome Center (front desk) greeting and engaging all members (youth), visitors, donors, volunteers and community partners. This role requires excellent customer service, administrative skills, environmental awareness, the ability to prioritize and multitask in addition to advanced communication and conflict resolution skills. What you'll be doing in this role : 1. Own Youth Relationships Ensure that AYA's environment fosters belonging while being welcoming, inclusive and safe for members, staff, volunteers, community partners and donors. Build meaningful and trusting relationships with youth as the expert in their own lives and empower them to set their own goals and recognize their own strengths. Model and promote AYA's philosophy of care, which includes Positive Youth Development, Trauma Informed Care and Harm Reduction. Quickly assess, recognize and intervene in possible safety compromises, difficult conversations and escalating behaviors. Grow relationships with community partners and employers, advocating and facilitating warm connections to assist youth in achieving their goals. 2. Resource Connections Support youth in navigating complex community systems to recover vital documents, improve health and wellness outcomes and education, employment and housing status. Provide support for all Welcome Center activities, including but not limited to: answering the phone/checking voicemails, managing the mail, receiving donations, facilitating new memberships and signing in current members, greeting guests, and monitoring the traffic flow and safety in and around the building. Model excellent communication skills by keeping members, staff, and volunteers up to date of events and opportunities on the Program Calendar and event flyers. 3. Daily Operations Show initiative in identifying, intervening and communicating current trends and challenges and engage in innovative problem solving and advocacy. Model exceptional teamwork in communication, initiative, accountability and flexibility among the staff and volunteer team. Positively represent AYA in relevant and diverse community spaces. Participate in regular personal/professional development and team meetings. 4. Case Management Conduct initial assessments with youth to identify immediate needs, strengths, and long-term goals. Develop individualized service plans that address housing stability, employment, education, mental health, and personal development. Provide goal-setting and action planning support to help youth work toward self-sufficiency. Facilitate referrals to internal and external services, including mental health providers, housing programs, workforce training, and other community resources. Follow up on referrals to ensure youth receive the necessary support and services. Maintain accurate and timely case notes in Apricot. Document all youth interactions, referrals, progress, and outcomes in accordance with agency policies. Participate in case conferencing and team meetings to discuss challenges, successes, and emerging needs.

Requirements

A degree in human services and/or experience in youth development.
Pass all required background checks
Comply with the agency’s written policies and procedures
Flexibility for non-traditional work hours (evenings and weekends)
Ability to work in all weather conditions
Ability to perform moderate physical work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and 10-20 pounds frequently and 3+ hours of consistent movement.
Demonstrate an ability to work effectively under stress and in a fast-paced, chaotic environment, including responding to emergencies/crisis and intervening in escalated/unsafe behaviors
Dedication to teamwork, professional development and overall excellence
Exceptional communication skills with diverse audiences
Support other initiatives, strategies and duties as assigned by AYA Leadership
Availability for professional development activities and community events outside of regular work hours
Support other initiatives, strategies and duties as assigned by leadership

Nice To Haves

Experience working with LGBTQ+ youth populations
Lived experience and/or an understanding of youth homelessness, trauma and/or mental health/substance use concerns and knowledge of de-escalation techniques
Deep understanding of the community’s social service landscape
Bilingual: Spanish/English, ASL

Responsibilities

Ensure that AYA's environment fosters belonging while being welcoming, inclusive and safe for members, staff, volunteers, community partners and donors.
Build meaningful and trusting relationships with youth as the expert in their own lives and empower them to set their own goals and recognize their own strengths.
Model and promote AYA's philosophy of care, which includes Positive Youth Development, Trauma Informed Care and Harm Reduction.
Quickly assess, recognize and intervene in possible safety compromises, difficult conversations and escalating behaviors.
Grow relationships with community partners and employers, advocating and facilitating warm connections to assist youth in achieving their goals.
Support youth in navigating complex community systems to recover vital documents, improve health and wellness outcomes and education, employment and housing status.
Provide support for all Welcome Center activities, including but not limited to: answering the phone/checking voicemails, managing the mail, receiving donations, facilitating new memberships and signing in current members, greeting guests, and monitoring the traffic flow and safety in and around the building.
Model excellent communication skills by keeping members, staff, and volunteers up to date of events and opportunities on the Program Calendar and event flyers.
Show initiative in identifying, intervening and communicating current trends and challenges and engage in innovative problem solving and advocacy.
Model exceptional teamwork in communication, initiative, accountability and flexibility among the staff and volunteer team.
Positively represent AYA in relevant and diverse community spaces.
Participate in regular personal/professional development and team meetings.
Conduct initial assessments with youth to identify immediate needs, strengths, and long-term goals.
Develop individualized service plans that address housing stability, employment, education, mental health, and personal development.
Provide goal-setting and action planning support to help youth work toward self-sufficiency.
Facilitate referrals to internal and external services, including mental health providers, housing programs, workforce training, and other community resources.
Follow up on referrals to ensure youth receive the necessary support and services.
Maintain accurate and timely case notes in Apricot.
Document all youth interactions, referrals, progress, and outcomes in accordance with agency policies.
Participate in case conferencing and team meetings to discuss challenges, successes, and emerging needs.