Family Advocate

Family Advocate

The Staten Island Justice Center (Justice Center; SIJC) is seeking a Family Advocate for the Family Enrichment Center (FEC). Reporting to the FEC Senior Program Manager and working closely with the Youth Engagement Specialist and Community Liaison, the Family Advocate will contribute to the day-to-day operations of the Family Enrichment Center by engaging families both within the Center and throughout the community;

facilitating Parent Cafes; building authentic, strength-based relationships that promote family protective factors and support community resilience; maintaining ongoing communication with participating families using accessible, culturally and linguistically responsive methods to foster meaningful engagement and participation; co-designing and facilitating relevant programs, activities, and offerings with families using strengths-based approaches; providing advocacy, resource navigation, and individualized support to families, including warm referrals to community-based services and supports;

working with families to identify strengths, celebrate progress, strengthen families, and promote community resilience; ensure families are meaningfully engaged in FEC offerings; supporting feedback and documentation processes that inform continuous improvement of programs and activities; and fostering a warm, welcoming, and inclusive gathering place where families can build connections, access resources, and strengthen well-being.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Recruit, welcome, orient, and meaningfully engage families to the FEC community;
• Develop and maintain authentic, strength-based relationships with families and the Community Advisory Board to foster meaningful engagement in supporting FEC operations, activities, and events. Ensure consistent delivery of programs and activities in fidelity to the FEC co-design model;
• Organize and promote opportunities for families to engage in and participate in the planning and implementation of FEC offerings, and to work and celebrate together to foster a sense of belonging, pride, and mutual responsibility;
• Provide advocacy, resource navigation, and warm referrals to connect families with services and supports;
• Collaborate with FEC staff to identify and address the needs and concerns of families and support the development of programming responsive to those needs;
• Collaborate with local public schools, social service providers, and community-based organizations to create meaningful resource connections for families;
• Design and implement family engagement strategies to ensure participating families are informed about upcoming offerings, events, and opportunities for involvement at the FEC;
• Create monthly marketing materials, including calendars, flyers, email blasts, social media content, and other outreach communications;
• Maintain ongoing communication with participating families through accessible methods, including phone calls, text messages, emails, and in-person conversations, to foster continued participation and relationship-building;
• Create and maintain a family engagement tracking system and contacts log to strengthen connections, and track impact;
• Support documentation, data collection, and feedback processes to ensure that family experiences and perspectives inform continuous improvement of offerings and activities;
• Maintain member/office supplies and resources and update FEC décor based on feedback from community members to help ensure that the FEC remains a welcoming, inclusive, and safe space;
• Maintain familiarity with all SIJC programs and services and share resources and referrals as needed;
• Participate in the day-to-day operations and administrative functions of the FEC by providing reception coverage, supporting program logistics, managing inventory, supporting the daily engagement of FEC members, and developing and updating office protocols and procedures in close partnership with the FEC Director;
• Assist in maintaining the cleanliness and upkeep of the FEC space;
• Network with FEC staff at other locations to create peer learning and support opportunities;
• Participate in SIJC all-staff meetings, committees, and staff development activities;
• Attend SIJC/FEC events and community meetings, as needed; and
• Perform other duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree AND three (3) years of professional experience, or a High School diploma AND five (5) years of professional experience in community-driven programs with…