Youth Advocate

Coastal Horizons Center•Wilmington, NC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Coastal Horizons Center, Inc. is seeking a Youth Advocate to provide direct advocacy, case management, outreach, and support to youth residing in the Open House Shelter in Wilmington, North Carolina. Working directly with youth in a residential setting, the Youth Advocate helps address basic and ongoing needs, establishes meaningful short- and long-term goals with youth, and connects them with community resources and services. The role uses a strengths-based, trauma-informed, non-judgmental approach to promote safety, stability, wellness, and self-sufficiency. The Youth Advocate also conducts community outreach and education related to runaway, homeless, and street-involved youth; develops partnerships with community agencies and Safe Place sites; supports residential staff and provides coverage when staffing gaps arise; and maintains accurate client records and program documentation. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related human services field.
Two years of residential staff experience and/or experience working with youth.
Current Adult CPR and Basic First Aid certification.
Knowledge of available community resources.
Knowledge of issues affecting sexual assault/abuse, runaway youth, homeless youth, and street-involved youth.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to establish rapport and develop effective working relationships with youth, supervisors, coworkers, community partners, and the general public.
Ability to represent Coastal Horizons Center professionally in the community.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to work in a residential shelter environment and provide support when residential staffing needs arise.
Comfort participating in community outreach and interacting with youth, families, community agencies, and the general public.

Nice To Haves

Compassion and resourcefulness when working directly with youth in a residential environment and engaging with community partners.
Strong advocacy skills, cultural responsiveness, and sound judgment.
Ability to build trusting relationships with youth experiencing significant barriers or instability.

Responsibilities

Provide direct advocacy and case management services to youth residing in the shelter.
Assess youth needs and assist with addressing immediate and ongoing needs.
Develop measurable short- and long-term goals with youth and monitor progress.
Connect youth with community resources and services, including medical and behavioral health services, public benefits, childcare, education, WIC, housing, and other supportive services.
Provide telephone referrals and assistance with scheduling and accessing community services.
Provide transportation assistance for medical appointments and other essential services as appropriate.
Provide health education and encourage youth to establish and maintain healthy wellness practices.
Facilitate the weekly Botvin LifeSkills group.
Conduct street-based and community outreach to engage runaway, homeless, and street-involved youth and connect them with services.
Educate youth, agencies, community partners, and the public about risks and challenges faced by runaway and homeless youth.
Promote awareness of available emergency shelter, sexual assault/rape crisis, domestic violence, medical/health, behavioral health, and substance use services.
Organize and participate in community events promoting Open House services, including Parents Day Out events.
Develop and maintain relationships with community agencies and encourage partnerships supporting high-risk youth populations.
Educate community partners and employees about issues affecting homeless and runaway youth, including the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ youth.
Maintain the program's existing National Safe Place membership and develop and maintain Safe Place site partnerships.
Submit required membership and program data.
Represent Coastal Horizons Center professionally in the community and with partner organizations.
Support Residential Staff as needed and provide residential coverage when staffing gaps occur.
Maintain a safe, supportive, respectful, and positive environment for youth.
Use a strengths-based approach and engage each youth with respect, compassion, non-judgment, and support.
Maintain accurate, timely, and complete client documentation and update records according to program and agency requirements.
Audit client records for accuracy and completeness and complete required documentation, reports, and program data.