Youth Life Skills Coach

LOCATION: NYC, NY

REPORTS TO: Youth Life Skills Coach Supervisor

DEPARTMENT: Bridges to the Future

SCHEDULE: Full Time / Hybrid

$1,000 Hiring Incentive

AGENCY BACKGROUND:

Mercy First is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions.

We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, Mercy First serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

The bridges to the future program supports our foster care youth as they prepare for the future. The program provides teens and young adults with skills and testing to secure viable jobs, scholarship assistance to attend college or vocational school, obtain and maintain affordable housing in the community, and life skills coaches to guide them during the challenging transition from foster care to adulthood.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The position will be working with our Family Foster Care & Residential Care Programs. Coaches meet young people “where they are” and build a trusting relationship with them using an authentic, trauma-informed, strength-based approach.

In addition to providing weekly emotional support, Coaches help young people make progress towards their academic, career development, housing/independent living, and other life goals. When a young person is unsure of their goals/interests, Coaches help them explore and expose them to potential opportunities. They then help young people connect to schools, programs, and opportunities in line with their goals/interests, persist in those settings, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey.

Coaches celebrate young people’s progress; if something doesn’t work out, Coaches help young people reflect and connect to the next opportunity.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health) and a minimum of 2 years of related work experience with at-risk or child welfare system-involved youth or Associate’s or accredited vocational degree with a minimum of 3 years of related work experience with at-risk or child welfare system-involved youth
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook, some knowledge of Excel
• Ability to file documentation accurately
• Ability to engage with clients
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, core values, Sanctuary Commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Building relationships with up to 18 youth (age 14 and older) at any given time and work 1:1 with them to develop individualized academic and career development goals based on their interests and strengths and assist the youth with taking measurable steps towards achieving their goals.
• Maintain, at a minimum twice monthly, face to face contacts with the youth and weekly contacts (via phone, text, email), with the ability to employ creative, out-of-the box approaches to engage youth and do not give up if they are not responsive.
• Connect youth to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities that are in line with their goals and provide educational advocacy.
• Collaborate with case planners, tutors, educational specialist, housing/employment specialist, care managers, teachers, guidance counselors, birth parents, foster parents, and any additional supports in the youth's life.
• Ensure that any youth who is aging out of care can access and maintain stable, affordable housing and build independent living skills.
• Connect youth to resources and supports and accompany them to appointments as needed.
• Assist,…