Youth Advocate - Residential Support

Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$800 annual Health & Wellness Cash Supplement

$1,000 annual Professional Development Fund

100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision coverage

403(b) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match

Job summary

The Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center in San Francisco is hiring a Youth Advocate responsible for supporting LGBTQQ+ youth through community programs and housing initiatives. This full-time, in-person role requires a commitment to social justice, youth empowerment, and housing stability.

With a focus on cultural responsiveness, the Youth Advocate will provide critical case management, facilitate youth programs, and promote housing stability. Compensation includes an hourly wage of $30.58 and comprehensive benefits. Join us in making a difference!

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years experience in youth development or case management.
• Knowledge of issues impacting homeless youth and housing instability.
• Ability to work in diverse environments and facilitate programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management and advocacy for LGBTQQ+ youth.
• Conduct assessments and create individualized service plans.
• Facilitate youth leadership programs and support groups.

Skills

Youth development

Crisis intervention

Case management

Relationship-building

Culturally responsive practices

Education

Experience with LGBTQQ+ youth

Knowledge of trauma-informed care

Experience in supportive housing

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Zoom

Job description

Youth Advocate - Residential Support

Type: Full‑Time (40 hours/week), Non‑Exempt

Reports To: Youth Services Manager

Location: In‑person, San Francisco, CA

About LYRIC

Since 1988, LYRIC (Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center) has been a home base for LGBTQQ+ youth in San Francisco. Each year, we support nearly 2,000 young people through programs rooted in love, equity, and youth leadership.

Our mission is simple and powerful: to build community and inspire social change through education enhancement, career training, health promotion, and leadership development. With a $4M+ budget and a dedicated staff team, LYRIC is a place where young people—especially trans, nonbinary, BIPOC, disabled, undocumented, and system‑impacted youth—can lead, heal, and thrive.

What’s This Role All About?

We’re looking for a Youth Advocate to join our Youth Services Team and support LGBTQQ+ youth and young adults through LYRIC’s community‑based programs and supportive housing initiatives. Youth Advocates play a critical role in program planning, implementation, and evaluation while providing direct services, case management, youth leadership development, housing stabilization support, and community‑building opportunities.

This role works closely with youth experiencing housing instability, homelessness, mental health challenges, system involvement, and other barriers to well‑being. In addition to providing case management and facilitating youth development programming, Youth Advocates support formerly homeless young adults living in LYRIC‑affiliated housing programs by promoting housing stability, independent living skills, and community engagement.

This is a full‑time, in‑person position. Occasional evenings, weekends, and participation in crisis response may be required.

What You’ll Do

Direct Support, Case Management & Housing Stabilization

• Provide youth‑centered, culturally responsive case management and advocacy services for LGBTQQ+ youth and young adults.
• Conduct intakes, assessments, goal planning, and individualized service plans using strength‑based, trauma‑informed, and social justice‑centered approaches.
• Maintain an active caseload and support participants in achieving goals related to housing, education, employment, health, financial stability, and personal development.
• Provide supportive residential services for formerly homeless LGBTQQ+ young adults living in LYRIC‑affiliated housing programs.
• Build trusting relationships with youth and residents while fostering a safe, welcoming, affirming, and community‑oriented environment.
• Conduct regular wellness check‑ins and provide ongoing support to promote housing retention, personal growth, and overall well‑being.
• Assist residents in developing independent living skills, including budgeting, meal planning, housekeeping, time management, communication, conflict resolution, and navigating landlord‑tenant relationships.
• Support participants in accessing healthcare, behavioral health services, public benefits, employment resources, educational opportunities, legal services, and other community resources.
• Ensure smooth transitions between LYRIC services, housing programs, and external systems of care.
• Provide crisis intervention, conflict mediation, de‑escalation, and safety planning in response to emergencies, mental health concerns, interpersonal conflicts, and housing‑related issues.
• Support residents in understanding and complying with housing policies, community agreements, and program expectations using restorative justice and harm reduction practices.

Youth Development & Program Facilitation

• Develop, implement, and evaluate youth development programming rooted in evidence‑based and culturally responsive practices.
• Facilitate support groups, leadership development programs, workshops, and skill‑building activities.
• Develop and deliver curriculum utilizing popular education, thematic learning, and project‑based approaches.
• Create opportunities for youth leadership, civic engagement, peer mentorship, and community building.
• Supervise, coach, and mentor youth leaders and facilitators.
• Support youth in identifying strengths, building resilience, and developing pathways toward self‑determination.

Outreach & Community Partnerships

• Conduct outreach to high‑need communities, including QTBIPOC youth, undocumented youth, youth experiencing homelessness, disabled youth, youth engaged in survival economies, and youth living with chronic health needs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with schools, supportive housing providers, healthcare organizations, community‑based organizations, and public agencies.
• Coordinate referrals and collaborate with service providers to ensure comprehensive and coordinated support for participants.
• Represent LYRIC at community events, coalitions, meetings, and outreach activities.
• Coordinate and support youth‑led events, workshops, and community gatherings.

Documentation & Collaboration

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records across multiple databases and reporting systems.
• Document participant contacts, assessments, service plans, referrals, housing‑related incidents, and progress toward goals.
• Complete data entry and reporting requirements in accordance with organizational, funder, and regulatory standards.
• Coordinate closely with case managers, behavioral health providers, property management staff, and community partners to support participant success and housing stability.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, supervision, organizational retreats, and team‑building activities.

Additional Duties

• Support organization‑wide events, initiatives, and special projects.
• Participate in emergency response, on‑call coverage, or crisis support as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Show up for youth and community with heart, integrity, accountability, and vision.

Who You Are

You are passionate about supporting LGBTQQ+ youth and young adults and committed to social justice, youth empowerment, and housing stability.

Required Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience in youth development, case management, supportive housing, residential services, homelessness services, program coordination, or direct service work.
• Experience working in supportive housing, transitional housing, or residential programs.
• Experience working with LGBTQQ+ youth and young adults.
• Knowledge of trauma‑informed care, positive youth development, restorative practices, and harm reduction approaches.
• Experience providing crisis intervention, conflict mediation, and de‑escalation support.
• Familiarity with issues impacting youth experiencing homelessness, housing instability, foster care involvement, or system involvement.
• Strong group facilitation, relationship‑building, and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to maintain accurate documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, and online data management systems.
• Ability to work effectively in a multiracial, multicultural, multi‑gendered, and intergenerational environment.
• Knowledge of San Francisco and Bay Area resources serving LGBTQQ+ communities and youth of color.
• Experience developing curriculum and facilitating youth leadership programs.

Compensation & Benefits

Hourly Wage: $30.58 per hour (40 hours/week)

LYRIC utilizes an equity‑based compensation model. Compensation is determined by role and tenure and is not negotiable.

Benefits Include

• $800 annual Health & Wellness Cash Supplement
• $1,000 annual Professional Development Fund
• 100% employer‑paid medical, dental, vision, and acupuncture/chiropractic coverage
• Optional Health FSA and commuter benefits
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match

Paid Time Off

• 19 paid holidays, including birthday leave and winter closure
• 19 vacation days
• 18 sick days
• 1 personal day
• Bereavement, jury duty, and critical incident leave

This position is represented by OPEIU Local 29.

How to Apply

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter through our application portal.

If your qualifications align with our needs, a member of our team will contact you regarding next steps.

Please do not call or email regarding the status of your application.

Equal Opportunity Statement

LYRIC is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, immigrants, young people, LGBTQQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, and system‑impacted individuals. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we welcome applicants with arrest and conviction histories.