SMYRC LGBTQIA2S+ Program Youth Advocate - Relief Team Member [074] [076]

$21.00 an hour. This is not a regularly scheduled position. It is flexible hours with shifts offered and accepted as needed to support coverage gaps.

1220 SW Columbia St, Portland, OR 97205

Transform Lives, Transform Yourself:

Are you eager to be a part of the change and care that supports youth in our community? Do you have experience that could be an assurance and lift for LGBTQIA2S+ young people facing houselessness to help them with the skills and resources to lead healthy, independent lives? New Avenues for Youth seeks a compassionate and resilient SMYRC Youth Advocate to join our LGBTQIA2S+ Programs team.

As a Youth Advocate, you'll be a consistent and intentional guide for LGBTQIA2S+ youth navigating difficult paths. Your unique perspective, experience, and resilience will foster opportunity and empower young people to be more prepared and resourced to move through challenging moments and reach their unique goals.

Join New Avenues and...

Make an Impact: Provide consistent support, guidance around resources, and advocacy.
Thrive in a Supportive Team: Join a collaborative and inclusive environment where your contributions are celebrated.
Grow as a Professional: Receive ongoing training, mentorship, and opportunities for career advancement.
Enjoy a Robust Benefits Package: We value your well-being and offer a robust benefits package that includes:
Full health, vision, and dental insurance at zero cost to the employee (with options to cover family members), to ensure your physical and mental health are prioritized.
Generous holiday, personal, and paid time off (PTO) allowances to support your work-life balance and personal needs. Roughly five weeks of available time in year one with an additional week added in year two.
Discounted gym memberships to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
Access to free counseling services to help you manage stress and maintain your emotional health.

Our Commitment to Equity:

At New Avenues for Youth, we envision a community where all young people thrive. We recognize that historical inequities and intersecting forms of oppression have created barriers for many. We are unwavering in our commitment to dismantling these barriers and fostering a truly equitable space where every voice is heard and valued.

Who You Are:

Experienced: Experience and commitment to working with sexual and gender minority and culturally diverse staff, participants and community
Understanding: Understanding of the issues of LGBTQ2IA+ youth, substance abuse, mental health, trauma, abuse, and adolescent development, including brain development
Reliable Advocate: You are committed to showing up consistently, building trust, and following through on your promises to young people.
A People-Person: Excellent communication, organization, creativity, flexibility, optimism, positive humor and overall interpersonal skills
Growth-Oriented: You embrace continuous learning, seeking new knowledge and skills to better support yourself and the youth you serve.
Equity: You understand how systemic oppression impacts the lives of youth in programs and the systems that you will support youth in navigating. You approach this world with humility and a deep sense of growth and learning.

What You'll Do:

Be a Mentor and Guide: work in partnership with LGBTQ2IA+ youth and agency staff to create supportive pathways for LGBTQ2IA+ youth to access affirming resources and community spaces that support their needs and goals
Empower Through Advocacy: The responsibilities of this role include: group facilitation; staffing programming in the community space and at special events (Pride, Queer Prom, etc.)
Support Growth and Learning: Foster a safer and equitable environment, engage with youth individually; support general drop-in hours, co-facilitate identity-specific groups, support field trips.
Nurture Community Space: Cultivate and support a safe, organized, and accessible community space, hygiene/mutual aid resource area, clothing closet, and food pantry.
Document the Journey: Maintain accurate and timely records, ensuring that our programs have the data they need to thrive and continue serving those who need it most.

Qualifications:

2 years of lived, worked or educational experience in social work, youth advocacy and community organizing
Reliable transportation and valid driver's license
Strongly Preferred: Lived experience as a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ Community, and lived experience with housing instability or substance use recovery

Apply Today:

If you're ready to use your desire to ignite hope and inspire change, we encourage you to apply today by simply clicking on the 'Apply for Job' button at the bottom of this screen and attach your resume and cover letter.

New Avenues for Youth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.