Youth Empowerment Peer Support Specialist

New Avenues; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Gym discounts

Counseling services

Job summary

New Avenues for Youth in Portland seeks a compassionate Peer Support Specialist for the ROSE & THORN program. You will accompany youth facing houselessness, offering guidance, resources, and advocacy to help them pursue healthy, independent lives.

You bring personal experience with recovery or related challenges, plus a commitment to equity. This full-time role offers training, mentorship, and a robust benefits package in a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with substance use, houselessness, mental health challenges and/or the mental health system or combination
• Certified Recovery Mentor credentials or ability to obtain within three months of hiring
• Knowledge of the lifestyles and culture of houseless youth preferred
• Desire to work with multicultural staff and youth in a diverse setting
• Use of personal automobile for transporting self and clients for work purposes
• Must have access to an automobile, a valid driver’s license, and active auto insurance on that vehicle

Responsibilities

• Assist youth in obtaining resources and services through referral
• Introducing youth to CADCs, Case Managers, Alcohol & Drug Specialists, and other service providers
• Assisting youth with navigating resources
• Facilitating links with other support networks
• Provide recovery engagement and support services to youth including advocating and supporting youth by acting as a role model for positive recovery behaviors
• Establishing a presence in areas where homeless youth engage
• Building trust and rapport with youth and providing information on services available
• Assisting in facilitating regular pro-social clean and sober recreational activities

Skills

Lived experience with substance use/ H

Job description

New Avenues for Youth in Portland seeks a compassionate Peer Support Specialist for the ROSE & THORN program. You will accompany youth facing houselessness, offering guidance, resources, and advocacy to help them pursue healthy, independent lives.

You bring personal experience with recovery or related challenges, plus a commitment to equity. This full-time role offers training, mentorship, and a robust benefits package in a collaborative team.