Youth Peer Advocates

Vibrant Emotional Health

For more than 55 years, Vibrant Emotional Health has been at the forefront of transforming mental health care in the United States. What began as a grassroots New York City effort to advocate for community mental health resources has grown into one of the nation's most trusted and innovative behavioral health organizations. Today, we reach millions of people each year through state-of-the-art, technology-enabled crisis intervention, peer-driven programs, youth and family services, older adult support, and community engagement initiatives.

We are building a future in which emotional wellness is a reality for everyone, when, where, and how they need it.

Vibrant Emotional Health is inviting individuals interested in future Youth Peer Advocate opportunities to share their information for consideration with our Family & Youth Peer Support Services and Adolescent Skills Center programs.

This posting may not reflect a current opening. It is intended as a way for interested candidates to share their experience and be considered as future roles become available.

Youth Peer Advocates use lived experience, peer-informed support, and community-based practice to help young people navigate emotional, social, educational, behavioral health, and system-related challenges. These roles are grounded in youth voice, choice, advocacy, and strengths-based support.

Youth Peer Advocates may work with program teams across peer support, case management, education, employment, behavioral health, and community programs. The work requires strong boundaries, reliability, communication, documentation, and a commitment to supporting young people in a respectful and empowering way.

Candidates who submit their information may be contacted by Talent Acquisition as future opportunities become available within Family & Youth Peer Support Services, the Adolescent Skills Centers, or related community-based programs.

• The Youth Peer Advocate will be an individual 18 to 30 years old who has self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges, and has experience receiving mental health services and/or navigating other child-serving systems
• Demonstrates qualities of leadership, including knowledge of advocacy, and can positively reflect on and share his/her experiences with others
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Work flexible hours, as required
• Bilingual and bicultural candidates are encouraged to apply
• Candidates possessing exceptional skill but not all of the qualifications are also encouraged to apply.

The Adolescent Skills Centers support youth and young adults as they work toward educational, vocational, social, and independent living goals.

Youth Peer Advocates in this program may help young people:

• Build practical life skills
• Explore education and career goals
• Strengthen peer relationships
• Participate in programming
• Build confidence in making decisions about their future
• Connect with support around school, work, and next steps

The Adolescent Skills Center serves youth ages 16 to 22 who live in New York City and are experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges that may interfere with school, employment, or career development.

Program components may include:

• High School Equivalency preparation through ReStart Academy and the NYC Department of Education
• Vocational assessment and evaluation
• Career exposure
• Educational and vocational support
• Placement support
• Social-emotional support services

Bronx
975 Kelly Street, Suite 302
Bronx, NY 10459

Manhattan
50 Broadway, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10004

Queens
29-46 Northern Blvd, 2nd Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101

Family & Youth Peer Support Services supports youth, families, and caregivers who are navigating child-serving systems, including schools, behavioral health services, community programs, and other supports.

Youth Peer Advocates in this program may help young people:

• Identify their own goals
• Prepare for meetings
• Understand available services
• Communicate their needs
• Participate in planning around their care and support
• Build confidence in advocating for themselves

This work is collaborative and may involve partnering with Family Peer Advocates, caregivers, schools, providers, and community organizations. The goal is to support youth voice while helping families better understand services, resources, rights, and options available to them.

Bronx
367 East 149th Street, 7th Floor
Bronx, NY 10455

Queens
29-46 Northern Blvd, 2nd Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101

Staten Island
120 Stuyvesant Place, Suite 414
Staten Island, NY 10301

We determine base pay through a comprehensive review of skills, experience, education, certifications, geographic location, and other relevant factors. The range listed…