Peer Advocate - Identity & Acceptance Program

New York Foundling; New York, Christiansted (NY, United States Virgin Islands); On-site; USD 49,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

An established nonprofit organization is seeking a passionate Identity & Acceptance Peer Advocate to support LGBTQIA+ youth. In this dynamic role, you will collaborate with youth, clinicians, and community members to provide vital mental health resources and foster community connections. Your work will involve researching community services, organizing events, and gathering feedback from participants to guide program development. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of young individuals while working in an inclusive and supportive environment dedicated to diversity and equity.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required with knowledge of NYC community resources.
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage time effectively.

Responsibilities

• Research and maintain knowledge of community resources for families.
• Organize and host youth-facing community events to meet needs.

Skills

Team Collaboration

Time Management

Organizational Skills

Community Resource Knowledge

Mental Health Awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Canva

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Teams

Outlook

Job description

Overview

At The New York Foundling, we trust in the power and potential of people, and we deliberately invest in proven practices. From bold beginnings in 1869, our New York-based nonprofit has supported hundreds of thousands of our neighbors on their own paths to stability, strength, and independence. We help children and families navigate through and beyond foster care. We help families struggling with conflict and poverty grow strong. We help individuals with developmental disabilities live their best lives, and we help our neighbors access quality health and mental health services—core to building lifelong resilience and wellbeing. Together, our interrelated programs provide a whole-person, whole-family, and whole-life approach that unlocks solutions for a lifetime.

The Identity & Acceptance Peer Advocate collaborates between LGBTQIA+ youth ages 0-21, clinicians, internal programs and community members to support in identifying and hosting treatment-adjacent services to address mental health concerns.

Salary Range: $49,200 - $53,000/year

Responsibilities

The Identity & Acceptance Peer Advocate collaborates between LGBTQIA+ youth ages 0-21, clinicians, internal programs and community members to support in identifying and hosting treatment-adjacent services to address mental health concerns.

Responsibilities:

1. Research and maintain knowledge of community resources to support families with accessing services that both meet their specific needs and are accessible.
2. Develop collaborative relationships with internal and external programs by participating in/attending community events to further the program's reach within the community.
3. Establish and lead a youth council to regularly gain feedback from program participants on what they need and direction for the program’s growth.
4. Support with identifying and linking to mental health and practical needs resources to address identified specific needs and goals.
5. Maintain a current database of community resources and partners. Keep up to date knowledge of resources in New York City.
6. Organize and host youth-facing community events that fit the identified needs of the youth and families being served.
7. Participate in all required agency, model and stakeholder trainings, individual and group coaching, and staff meetings to promote clinical development and ensure effective service delivery.
8. Accurate and timely documentation of efforts to maintain compliance with agency, city, state, and governing body regulations.

Salary Range: $49,200 - $53,000/year

The New York Foundling is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse employee population. The Foundling will honor your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

Qualifications

1. High school diploma or GED required
2. Knowledge of community resources across NYC
3. Ability to work collaboratively with a team and build relationships with stakeholders and community partners
4. Related work, lived experience, or meaningful interest in mental health, child welfare, culturally diverse populations, and event planning.
5. Excellent time management and organizational skills
6. Computer literacy; including Canva, Outlook, and Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).
7. Demonstrated strong commitment to safety.

Education Required

High School / G.E.D.