Youth Mentor - Alba Program

New Avenues For Youth; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Gym memberships

Free counseling services

Job summary

New Avenues for Youth in Portland, Oregon seeks a Youth Mentor to provide consistent guidance and advocacy for youth facing houselessness. You will use empathy and lived experience to help young people access resources and pursue healthy futures.

This full-time role runs Monday–Friday, 10:00am–6:30pm with some flexibility; pay is $21.00 per hour. The position includes a robust benefits package with health/vision/dental, generous PTO, gym discounts, and free counseling services.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of experience working with high-risk youth and/or families, case management experience preferred.
• Ability to work with sexual minorities and culturally diverse staff, participants, and partners.
• Valid driver’s license and access to an automobile.

Responsibilities

• Be a Mentor and Guide: Build genuine connections with youth and instill confidence.
• Empower Through Advocacy: Help youth navigate systems and access resources.
• Support Growth and Learning: Lead group sessions and individual support meetings.
• Document the Journey: Maintain accurate records for program needs.

Skills

Youth mentoring

Case management

Advocacy

Lived experience

Diversity & inclusion

Job description

About this position

Pay : $21.00 per hour.

Schedule : Full-time. Monday - Friday, 10:00am - 6:30pm with some flexibility required.

Transform Lives, Transform Yourself:

Are you eager to be a part of the change and care that supports youth in our community? Do you have experience that could be an assurance and lift for young people facing houselessness to help them with the skills and resources to lead healthy, independent lives? New Avenues for Youth seeks a compassionate and resilient Youth Mentor to join our Alba team.

As a Youth Mentor, you'll be a consistent and intentional guide for youth navigating difficult paths. Your unique perspective, experience, and resilience will foster opportunity and empower young people to be more prepared and resourced to move through challenging moments and reach their unique goals.

Join New Avenues and…

• Make an Impact: Provide consistent support, guidance around resources, and advocacy.
• Thrive in a Supportive Team: Join a collaborative and inclusive environment where your contributions are celebrated.
• Grow as a Professional: Receive ongoing training, mentorship, and opportunities for career advancement.
• Enjoy a Robust Benefits Package: We value your well-being and offer a robust benefits package that includes:
• Full health, vision, and dental insurance at zero cost to the employee (with options to cover family members), to ensure your physical and mental health are prioritized.
• Generous paid time off to support your work-life balance and personal needs. Roughly five weeks of available time off in year one with an additional week added in year two.
• Discounted gym memberships to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
• Access to free counseling services to help you manage stress and maintain your emotional health.

Our Commitment to Equity:

At New Avenues for Youth, we envision a community where all young people thrive. We recognize that historical inequities and intersecting forms of oppression have created barriers for many. We are unwavering in our commitment to dismantling these barriers and fostering a truly equitable space where every voice is heard and valued.

Who You Are:

• Experienced: You have faced and overcome challenges related to substance use, mental health, and/or houselessness. Your experience is a source of strength and fuels your compassion and care.
• Compassionate Listener: You offer empathy without judgment, creating a safe space for young people to share their stories and struggles.
• Reliable Advocate: You are committed to showing up consistently, building trust, and following through on your promises to young people.
• Growth-Oriented: You embrace continuous learning, seeking new knowledge and skills to better support yourself and the youth you serve.
• Equitable: You understand how systemic oppression impacts the lives of youth in programs and the systems that you will support youth in navigating. You approach this world with humility and a deep sense of growth and learning.

What You'll Do:

• Be a Mentor and Guide: Build genuine connections with youth, share relevant and intentional experiences to instill confidence and build trust.
• Empower Through Advocacy: Help young people navigate complex systems, access resources, collaborate and coordinate with other providers, and make informed decisions about their own recovery journey.
• Support Growth and Learning: Lead and participate in group sessions, recreational activities, and individual support meetings that foster connection and personal development.
• Document the Journey: Maintain accurate and timely records, ensuring that our programs have the data they need to thrive and continue serving those who need it most.

Qualifications:

• Relevant prior work experience, lived experience, or both
• Minimum of two years of experience working with high-risk youth and/or families, case management experience preferred
• Ability and commitment to working with sexual minorities and culturally diverse staff, participants, and community partners
• Valid driver's license, access to an automobile, and active auto insurance.
• understanding of the issues of substance abuse, mental health, trauma, abuse and adolescent development

A person in this position must be able to perform with or without accommodation the essential functions of this job including any physical requirements associated with this role. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be routinely exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. If the position may require the use of any personal protective equipment, New Avenues will have such equipment on hand for the employee’s use.

Any candidate deemed viable for this position based on resources and resume submission will be contacted to participate in a screen interview to discuss interest and job compatibility. Of those screened, advancing candidates will be asked to participate in a subsequent interview or interviews to evaluate job qualifications and interest further. From this process, a hiring selection will be made.

New Avenues for Youth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.