Youth Program Assistant

Youth Program Assistants support youth during the retreat experience at Tech Boston Academy. We believe in transforming the way youth development providers support youth of color and their families.

Flourish Agenda is a national nonprofit consulting firm that works with youth of color, schools, youth-serving organizations, foundations, and local governments to build and implement strategies that allow young people to flourish. We are a mighty team of trainers, researchers, educators, movers, and shakers that equip schools, youth-serving organizations, foundations, and local governments with tools and strategies that allow young people of color to flourish.

For more than 30 years, we have put our whole hearts into this. This is love work!

We base our programs on the Healing Centered Engagement (HCE) approach, which was developed by Dr. Shawn Ginwright and focuses on transformative leadership and healing centered approaches to support youth of color and their families. This model uniquely melds together transformative youth and adult development, social justice principles, personal healing, and cultural transformation.

Youth Program Assistants engage in a transformational experience to build their youth development, community engagement and leadership skills. Youth Program Assistants will also engage in pre‑retreat orientation to support youth and their families with implanting the healing approach.

The role of the Youth Program Assistants will be two‑fold;

Youth Program Assistants will be expected to:

• Attend mandatory staff trainings (Virtual & in‑person)
• Complete HCE Certification process via Flourish Agenda’s virtual platform
• Mandated reporter training
• Among other safety trainings & requirements

The Youth Program Assistant will be assigned to a tribe of about 8-10 youth each and guide them in the retreat experience. Youth Program Assistants will be required to attend a youth and family orientation prior to the retreat in preparation for youth programming and engagement. The Youth Program Assistant’s role is to build community through small group breakout sessions throughout the retreat.

The time that participants spend in their tribes enables each person more time to process concepts and emotions related to the Healing Centered Engagement approach.

• Facilitate learning of retreat concepts during Tribe breakout discussions and workshops.
• Ensure on‑time transition of Tribes between workshops and activities making sure all participants are present.
• Check in on participants who need additional follow up periodically throughout the retreat.
• Solve interpersonal conflict using restorative approaches.
• Guide and direct youth to outside support (healing team)
• Communicate with challenging participants using an open heart and mind.
• Participate in logistics meetings at the end of each day.
• Participate in and/or lead energizers.
• Other duties may be assigned based on the track which the Youth Program Assistant chooses. Tracks may include:
  Healing, Facilitating, Operations and others.

Akili Summer Healing Retreat will be held during the week of July 13th - 17th. Availability the week of July 13th is non‑negotiable and is a requirement for this position. All activities and meetings leading up to Akili Summer Healing Retreat are mandatory, onboarding starts the week of June 1st.

This Youth Program Assistant role is projected to have 100 - 105 hours of work; although, hours may fluctuate depending on program needs. Typically work days will be between 4 - 6 hours. Please connect with Flourish Agenda during the interview process to clarify any questions you may have.

• Strong interest in and/or experience working with youth of color and their families
• An openness and desire to critically analyze the root causes of oppression
• Openness to new ideas and willingness to actively participate in all activities
• Commitment to participate in all trainings and activities
• Commitment support youth leading up to and during the retreat experience
• Over 21 years old
• Successful clearance of agency’s safety screens (all Youth Program Assistants will be fingerprinted and complete background checks for Flourish Agenda and BPS)
• Diverse personality traits which reflect the diversity of the youth and families we serve
• Commitment to personal growth and transformation
• Commitment to supporting youth and families of color around healing and well‑being
• Ability to relate to the lived experiences of the youth and families

Youth Program Assistants will be paid an hourly wage of $25 an hour. The position will be a Temporary employee with payments will be paid through Flourish’s payroll system.

Applications are due by May 27, 2026