Youth Peer Advocates

Overview

Vibrant Emotional Health is inviting individuals interested in future Youth Peer Advocate roles 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 but serves to gather candidates for future opportunities.

The Adolescent Skills Centers support youth and young adults to achieve educational, vocational, social, and independent living goals. Youth Peer Advocates assist participants with:

• Building practical life skills
• Exploring education and career goals
• Strengthening peer relationships
• Participating in programming
• Building confidence in decision-making
• Connecting with support around school, work, and next steps

The program serves youth ages 16-22 in New York City experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges that may interfere with school, employment, or career development. Program components include:

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

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

The work involves collaborating with Family Peer Advocates, caregivers, schools, providers, and community organizations to support youth voice while helping families understand services, resources, rights, and options available.

• Adolescent Skills Center – Bronx: 975 Kelly Street, Suite 302, Bronx, NY 10459
• Adolescent Skills Center – Manhattan: 50 Broadway, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10004
• Adolescent Skills Center – Queens: 29-46 Northern Blvd, 2nd Floor, Long Island City, NY 11101
• Family & Youth Peer Support Services – Bronx: 367 East 149th Street, 7th Floor, Bronx, NY 10455
• Family & Youth Peer Support Services – Queens: 29-46 Northern Blvd, 2nd Floor, Long Island City, NY 11101
• Family & Youth Peer Support Services – Staten Island: 120 Stuyvesant Place, Suite 414, Staten Island, NY 10301

• Age 18 to 30, self-identified as a person with first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges, and having received mental health services or navigated child-serving systems
• Demonstrates leadership qualities, knowledge of advocacy, and can share personal experiences positively
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to work flexible hours as required
• Bilingual and bicultural candidates are encouraged to apply
• Exceptional skill but not all qualifications are also encouraged to apply

Full-time employees are eligible for comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, supplemental income insurance, employer-paid disability and life insurance, pre-tax FSA for medical and dependent care, and a 401(k) plan. Base pay is determined by a comprehensive review of skills, experience, education, certifications, geographic location, and other relevant factors.

Vibrant Emotional Health is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, caregiver status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.