SWITCH Youth Outreach Specialist - Memphis Allies

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families. As a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems.

At Youth Villages, we do what works — partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change. We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters— helping children and families live successfully.

Memphis Allies, launched by Youth Villages, is a bold, collaborative initiative designed to reduce gun violence and build safer, stronger neighborhoods across Memphis. The program brings together community groups, organizations, and local resources to expand opportunities for adults, youth, and their families while addressing the root causes of violence. At the heart of this effort is the Support with Intent To Create Hope (SWITCH) model—an innovative approach that combines street outreach and life coaching with intensive clinical services and case management.

Through SWITCH and SWITCH Youth, Memphis Allies staff identify, connect with, and support adults (ages 19 to 30) and youth (ages 12 to 19) at the highest risk of involvement in gun violence, who may have been recently arrested, on probation, or are re-entering the community after incarceration. By meeting individuals where they are and surrounding them with consistent support, Memphis Allies is working to build stability and safety, change lives, reduce gun violence, and strengthen communities.

The SWITCH Youth Outreach Specialist:

• Identifies very high risk, prospective participants through the Gun Violence Reduction Strategy.
• Locates prospective participants through personal networks, outreach, social media, or other means and works to engage them and directly connect them to a Life Coach.
• Builds trust with prospective participants by learning their individual stories and establishing trust necessary for dialogue.
• Responds to shooting scenes after an injury shooting to provide support to victims and their families, ease tension at the scene, offer support to victim’s friends and network, and gather information about the cause of the shooting.
• Goes to hospitals to engage with recent gunshot victims to offer support and services, discourage retaliation, and build relationships with victims, families, and the victim’s network.
• Attends community events and canvasses neighborhoods with high rates of violence to show a presence and offer support.
• Attends funerals of people who were members of active gangs, crews, and groups to provide support to their family as well as build relationships with the family and victim’s network.
• Visits and occasionally conducts groups and workshops in local juvenile and adult correctional facilities for the purpose of building rapport with individuals who will be released and may be high-risk individuals.
• Establishes a positive and trusting relationship with each participant, spending time in-person and building a rapport.
• Provides transformative mentorship (including motivational interviewing, strengths identification, and basic familiarity with cognitive-behavioral…