Youth & Family Advocacy Specialist
About The Position
The Youth & Family Program Specialist provides trauma-informed, survivor-centered advocacy and supportive services to children, youth, and families accessing Cornerstone Advocacy Service's Emergency Shelter and Housing Programs. This role serves as a bridge between Shelter and Housing Programs by coordinating youth programming, providing family advocacy, and creating opportunities for children and youth to thrive in both shelter and permanent housing settings. This role supports children ages 3 to 16 years while also providing survivor-centered advocacy to adults, enabling families to safely access critical programming, services, and crisis support. Responsibilities include facilitating on-site and community-based youth activities, supporting after-school programming, transporting youth to approved community events and activities, and collaborating with advocates to ensure holistic, family-centered services.
Requirements
- Valid driver’s license, insurance, reliable vehicle, and ability to pass a background check required.
- Provide direct services and advocacy to survivors using a trauma-informed, survivor-centered approach; understand the link between domestic violence, poverty, and homelessness.
- Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills; ability to work independently or collaboratively; fluency in another language a plus.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and web-based applications; committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and maintaining professional boundaries.
- Adhere to agency values (harm-reduction, housing-first, trauma-informed, client-centered approaches).
Nice To Haves
- Minimum 2 years of experience in domestic violence support or housing advocacy (or equivalent).
- Knowledge of survivor dynamics, trauma, housing programs, tenant rights, and public benefits.
- Strong advocacy, crisis intervention, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks independently while maintaining boundaries.
- Experience with diverse communities and anti-oppression work; bilingual/multilingual and a relevant bachelor’s degree preferred.
Responsibilities
- Provide trauma-informed advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, and resource navigation to children, youth, and caregivers while supporting individualized family goals.
- Coach and support caregivers through education, parenting resources, school engagement, and referrals that strengthen family stability.
- Participate in team meetings, cross-training, onboarding, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
- Plan and facilitate engaging youth programming, including after-school activities, life skills, educational enrichment, and recreational opportunities for children and teens.
- Oversee evening youth programming at least once per month and assist with seasonal events, school break programming, and family engagement activities.
- Coordinate and transport youth to approved community events, educational opportunities, volunteer activities, and partner programs.
- Create safe, welcoming, and organized youth spaces while maintaining program supplies and fostering positive youth development.
- Support Emergency Shelter operations through participant intakes, orientations, crisis response, shelter coverage, and coordination of basic needs services.
- Respond to crisis line calls, walk-in participants, and community referrals while providing survivor-centered advocacy and resource navigation.
- Collaborate with Shelter and Housing staff to ensure seamless participant transitions and continuity of services across programs.
- Maintain accurate documentation and ensure compliance with agency policies, confidentiality standards, and program procedures.
- Coordinate youth programming calendars in collaboration with Shelter Coordinator, special events, volunteers, interns, and community partnerships that enhance services for children and families.
- Build and maintain relationships with schools, community organizations, recreational programs, and other partners to connect youth with educational, enrichment, and leadership opportunities.
- Track program participation, outcomes, and feedback to support continuous quality improvement and grant reporting.
Benefits
- Free virtual mental health counseling (for all employees + their families)
- Free telemedicine (for employees + enrolled family members)
- 401(k) after 90 days + up to 4% employer match after 1 year
- Paid parental leave after 1 year of service
- Medical, dental & vision (eligible first month after 30 days)
- HSA & FSA options
- Free basic life & AD&D insurance
- Free long-term disability
- Voluntary short-term disability
- Generous PTO: 168 hours to start (increases after 24 months)
- 11 paid holidays + 2 floating holidays
- Paid birthday off
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
