Peer Support Specialist- Young Adult Violence Prevention and Support

Peer Support Specialist
- Young Adult Violence Prevention and Support

Location
:
Grand Rapids, MI (Community-Based)

Organization
:
Family Outreach Center

Family Outreach Center is seeking a full-time Peer Support Specialist to provide support, encouragement, and connection to young males ages 14–24 who have been impacted by violence and trauma.

Peer support is about the power of shared experience. We are looking for someone who can use their own story, experiences, recovery, and lessons learned to provide hope, guidance, understanding, and support to young people navigating similar experiences.

As a Peer Support Specialist, you will build meaningful relationships with young people and use your lived experience to help them feel understood, supported, and connected.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide individual peer support to males of color ages 14–24.
• Use lived experience appropriately to build trust, connection, and hope.
• Encourage young people as they work toward positive goals and recovery from violence and trauma.
• Help participants recognize their strengths and identify healthy supports.
• Connect participants with community resources and services.
• Maintain appropriate documentation related to services provided.
• Participate in training, supervision, team meetings, and professional development.
• Be a consistent, relatable, and positive presence for the young people you serve.

This position is specifically designed for someone who can bring lived experience to the work.

Eligibility

Requirements and Skills:

• High School Diploma or GED; degree-seeking candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Personal experience with recovery from past violence and trauma.
• Ability and desire to work successfully with males of color ages 14–24.
• Knowledge of community resources in the Grand Rapids area.
• Good reading and writing skills.
• Basic computer skills.
• A dependable, approachable, and nonjudgmental style.
• The ability to use personal experiences thoughtfully while maintaining healthy professional boundaries.

* if you have a Bachelor's degree in a social service field please reach out and we can explore different possibilities

This is a full-time position starting at $31,900 annually. The position has no weekend requirements, although some evening availability is required to meet the needs of the young people we serve.

Family Outreach Center offers benefits and generous paid time off (PTO), along with opportunities for training, professional development, and meaningful work within the Grand Rapids community.

Your Experience Can Make a Difference
... And what you've learned along the way may be exactly what helps another young person see a path forward. If you have been impacted by violence, have worked toward healing and recovery, and are ready to use those experiences to support young people in your community, we encourage you to apply.