Youth & Family Advocacy Specialist

Cornerstone disrupts violence through advocacy, support, and prevention. We partner with individuals, families, and organizations to build communities free from harm.

Survivor
- Centered
* Social Justice
* Well-Being
* Collaboration
* Integrity

Cornerstone is a $5.5 million organization that provides comprehensive services for individuals and families in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking or general crime. Our offices are located in Bloomington, Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis. Learn more nerstonemn.org.

We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

$ Unionized Position:
Yes

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.

Tuesday–Saturday. Core hours are 9am-5pm. This position includes days, overseeing youth and family programming, at least one evening each month, and occasional holidays as needed. Services are provided in office and/or community spaces.

• 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.

Minimum 2 years of experience in domestic violence support or housing advocacy (or equivalent). Knowledge of survivor…