Program Coordinator

AIDS Healthcare Foundation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) via South Side Help Center (SSHC) seeks a Program Coordinator for the Youth Mentoring Program in Chicago. You will manage day-to-day mentoring operations, oversee a caseload of youth ages 10–21, and support goal development and life skills.

Responsibilities include recruiting and supporting volunteer mentors, coordinating matches, facilitating youth activities, and linking families to community resources, while maintaining required records and program standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience mentoring or working with youth essential.
• Knowledge of positive youth development and trauma-informed care preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage caseload of youth participants and conduct individual mentoring sessions.
• Support goal development and build life skills for youth.
• Coordinate mentor-mentee matches and recruit/ support volunteer mentors.

Skills

Mentoring experience

Youth development knowledge

Trauma-informed care

Culturally responsive practices

Relationship-building

Empathy

Organization

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree in human services/Social Work/Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Job description

The Program Coordinator of our Youth Mentoring Program contributes to AHF by advancing the mission of of South Side Help Center (SSHC) in supporting youth ages 10–21 through meaningful mentoring relationships, positive youth development opportunities, and connections to resources that promote personal growth, stability, and long-term success. This position serves as a consistent and trusted support system for young people while coordinating the day-to-day operations of the mentoring program. The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma or equivalent required; an associate or bachelor’s degree in human services, Social Work, Education, Youth Development, or a related field is preferred. Experience mentoring, coaching, or working directly with youth is essential.

Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of positive youth development, trauma-informed care, culturally responsive practices, and evidence-based mentoring strategies. The Youth Mentoring Program Coordinator is responsible for managing a caseload of youth participants, conducting individual mentoring sessions, supporting goal development, and helping young people build life skills, confidence, and pathways toward future success. The role includes coordinating mentor-mentee matches, recruiting and supporting volunteer mentors, facilitating youth engagement activities, maintaining communication with families and caregivers, and connecting participants to appropriate community resources.

The Program Coordinator for the mentoring program enhances the reputation of AHF by working with the South Side Help Center team to demonstrate strong relationship-building skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to engage youth from diverse backgrounds with respect, patience, and consistency. The successful candidate will be organized, adaptable, and capable of balancing direct service responsibilities with program coordination, documentation, outreach, and compliance requirements. Experience with case notes, data tracking systems, community engagement, and partnership development is preferred. Because this role is focused on building trusted relationships with young people, the successful candidate must demonstrate maturity, sound judgment, reliability, and genuine commitment to youth empowerment. The ideal candidate understands the impact that a consistent, caring adult presence can have on a young person’s development and approaches each interaction with empathy, accountability, and respect for youth voice and self-determination.

You will be a passionate advocate for our top initiatives.

To be successful as the Program Coordinator of the Youth Mentoring Program, it is crucial to ensure that the AHF Core Values and Mission stay top of mind with all that you do. At AHF, we are nimble and able to adapt in a dynamic environment to assist in providing the best experience for our clients and workplace for our employees.

AHF has a collaborative organizational structure where staff are accountable to multiple leaders. The Program Coordinator will work as a part of a close-knit team to ensure quality service delivery, maintaining program standards, strengthening community connections, and helping youth access the support and opportunities needed to thrive.