Peer Mentor

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network in Arlington, MA is seeking a Peer Mentor for Young Adult Services. You will use your lived experience to support young adults managing mental health challenges, facilitate groups, and provide hopeful, one-on-one guidance.

Join a team that values empathy, flexible thinking, and strong boundaries, with comprehensive training and opportunities to advocate for youth and families through community programs.

Qualifications

• Lived experience managing your own mental health, emotional health or trauma resulting in significant life disruption.
• Willingness to share your recovery story in peer support.
• Driving in the community is a requirement of this position; ensure a valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate activity based and support groups for young adults with mental health concerns.
• Use your story and experience to provide hope, information, advocacy and one on one support to young adults learning to manage their mental health challenges.
• Promote skill building in the life domains of: social functioning, symptom management, coping skills and activities of daily living.
• Contribute to system change through policy advocacy.

Skills

Talent connecting with people

Strong communication skills

Ability to assess and manage risk

Flexibility and creative thinking

Strong boundaries

Job description

Show your passion by empowering youth and families when joining the Wayside team!

Wayside is one of Massachusetts' most respected youth and family-serving agencies, supporting more than 6,000 youth and families annually across Central, Eastern, and Northeastern regions.

We invest in our employees' wellness with comprehensive benefits, including tuition and training reimbursement, a PTO package with 3 wellness days, 9 paid holidays, and up to 3 weeks of vacation in the first year. Enjoy a learning environment with free training, CEUs, and more, along with exceptional medical benefits, financial health supports, and career development opportunities.

Peer Mentor - Young Adult Services

Arlington, MA

Salary Range: $20.50 - $24.00/hour depending on experience and certification + sign-on bonus (half paid after 6 months of employment and half paid after 1 year of employment/pro-rated for part-time).

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is hiring for creative and empathic Peer Support Specialists with personal "lived" experience in the behavioral health system. We provide a supportive culture that is team-focused and places value on healthy work dynamics.

What you will do:

• Facilitate activity based and support groups for young adults with mental health concerns.
• Use your story and experience to provide hope, information, advocacy and one on one support to young adults learning to manage their mental health challenges.
• Promote skill building in the life domains of: social functioning, symptom management, coping skills and activities of daily living.
• Contribute to system change through policy advocacy.

Competencies/Traits of Our Superstars:

• Talent connecting with people.
• Strong communication skills – both written and verbal.
• Ability to assess and manage risk.
• Flexibility and creative thinking with an ability to adapt.
• Strong boundaries.

Minimum Requirements:

• Lived experience managing your own mental health, emotional health and/or trauma resulting in significant life disruption.
• Wiliness to share your recovery story in the context of peer support.
• Driving in the community is a requirement of this position; please ensure you have a valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle.

We will train you in: Motivational Interviewing; Courageous Conversations; Attachment, Regulation and Competency Model (ARC); Trauma Informed Practice; Substance Use Intervention; Risk and Safety Assessment.