Wellness Mentor

Guitars Over Guns Organization (GOGO) is a nationally recognized, award-winning nonprofit that is challenging the perception of what is possible for youth who experience the power of music-based mentorship. We place teams of professional teaching artists in after-school and community-based programs to provide a powerful combination of music education and mentoring at no cost to youth from vulnerable communities in Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City.

GOGO is seeking a Wellness Mentor (WM) for the  school year.

The Wellness Mentor promotes greater participant well-being by creating safe, brave and supportive spaces for participants.

Wellness Mentors support participants in exploring and achieving goals, increasing healthy coping strategies, and encouraging responsible decision-making through a positive, strengths-focused, trauma-informed approach.

The Wellness Mentor reports to the Director of Mental Health and Wellness. The ideal candidate is a mental health professional, who takes initiative and who is able to work well independently and on a team.

The Wellness Mentor is accountable for the highest quality implementation of our M-Power Mental Health Program.

• Maintain a safe, brave and respectful environment for students to discuss their challenges and goals
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with participants, mentors, and school staff
• Strong interpersonal skills, strengths-based, trauma-informed, healing-centered approach
• High degree of discernment around confidentiality and disclosure
• Excellent communication (in-person and online)
• Growth mindset with a desire to continually update their knowledge and skills, and embody coaching best practices
• Quick decision making in response to changing conditions or crisis
• Technologically savvy; comfortable learning new software
• Organized, dependable, and reliable
• Passionate about mental health and wellness

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, counseling, or health and behavioral sciences or related field
• 2-3+ years workings with youth, especially youth of color
• Knowledgeable about systemic barriers facing youth of color and youth from low-income backgrounds
• Prior experience in mental health field
• Prior experience facilitating groups
• Prior experience working on a team
• Prior experience with Google Workspace, desired but not required

• Ability to commit to the Wellness Mentor position for one academic year
• Willingness to work some weekends and evenings as needed based on program schedules, events, and partnership opportunities
• Able to travel independently to various programming sites
• All Guitars Over Guns contractors are required to complete a Level II background check through Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Miami and through Chicago Public Schools and After School Matters in Chicago
• Completion of the YMHFA Certification and other additional trainings (paid)