Youth Advocate

Position Title: Youth Advocate/Navigator (Avenida)

Classification: Part-Time (Hourly)

Reports To: Project Coordinator

Pay Rate: $18-20/hour for up to 25 hours a week

Summary

With support from the Avenida Team, the Youth Advocate (YA) will support the outreach to and services to transition-age youth at-risk of or experiencing homelessness in San Benito County. The Youth Advocate will assist clients with navigating additional systems of care, including housing, homeless certification, connections to various service providers, and various social service agencies. The Youth Advocate will assist and provide clients with the resources, guides, and information about accessing services and other benefits unique to the homeless population. 

Essential Job Functions & Duties

  • Schedule and facilitate outreach activities for transition-age youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness on the streets of San Benito County 

  • Meet and assist clients daily, via phone or in person, with receiving offered services (i.e. food pantry, clothing closet, laundry products, personal hygiene products etc.)

  • Document all contacts and outcomes in the internal database, uploading necessary information to external database on a case by case basis 

  • Adhere to all local, state, and federal guidelines and laws (I.e HIPAA, OSHA, FLSA) 

  • Connect youth to case management services for individuals in need of various outreach services

  • Support the Avenida Case Manager by completing assessments if necessary, including the YCAT assessment and transferring information into the HMIS database 

  • Assist clients in completing housing applications and move in process as needed 

  • Assist clients in completing job applications and job search process as needed (resume/cover letter support)

  • Assist clients in completing public assistance applications (CalFresh, MediCal, General Assistance, CalWorks, WIC) process as needed

  • Assist and help locate affordable housing options for interested clients

  • Maintain relationships with federal, state, and local agencies that serve as referral resources for clients 

  • Perform special assignments unique to the departments function (homeless counts, data processing, presentations etc.) 

  • Organize and participate in community events, fairs

  • Lead workshops and other outreach activities to engage with the target audience 

  • Create and distribute informational materials such as flyers, brochures, and newsletters to raise awareness about the program’s offerings

  • Coordinate the biweekly operations of the grocery pick up 

  • Ensure the Avenida closet is well-organized and fully stocked with necessary items for clients at all times

  • Receive, inspect, and organize incoming donations and purchased goods, ensuring quality and safety standards are met

  • Perform other tasks as assigned by department

Experience and Job Qualifications

  • Working knowledge of issues facing unhoused and at-promise youth (youth living in difficult environmental situations)

  • Experience working with strength-based and client-centered models, restorative and trauma informed care practices 

  • Understanding and/or commitment to advancing the mission of YA and the Coalition of Homeless Service Providers Coordinated Community Plan 

  • Ability to work closely and effectively with other people and organization 

  • Demonstrated commitment to immigrant, gender, and racial justice 

  • Ability to work professionally in a deadline-driven environment 

  • Excellent organizational skills, communication skills, and detail oriented 

  • Bilingual highly preferred but not required 

  • Experience with outreach and desire to grow in grassroots organizing skills 

  • Relationship management skills and creating collaboration among partner organizations

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, and sit; use hands and fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; stoop, kneel. Balancing, climbing, and crawling are not required. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Assistance is required above this amount. Be willing to work flexible hours.

Special Requirements:

Must be able to meet and receive Fingerprinting/Background Check and TB Test clearance. Must be able to obtain CPR and First Aid certification. Must possess a valid CA  driver’s license.

To Apply:

To apply to this position, please send your resume and cover letter to careers@youthall.org

Youth Alliance | 310 Fourth St., Suite 101 | Hollister, CA 95023 | (831) 636-2853

YOUTH ALLIANCE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Youth Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and herein reiterates its policy of Equal Opportunity for all qualified individuals without distinction or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, political affiliation or belief.

Youth Alliance | 310 4th Street, Ste 101 Hollister CA 95023 (831) 636-2853

Youth Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Nonprofit, Professional Development, We Are Hiring, Work at YAElias RodriguezYouth Alliance, San Benito County, Avenida, Youth Advocate