Youth Mentor

Family Focus; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Family Focus seeks a Youth Mentor to provide individualized mentoring to youth ages 10-21 in Chicago communities. You will build trusting relationships through consistent, caring one-to-one mentoring that fosters safety, well-being, and social capital.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma or GED, at least two years of youth experience, and knowledge of restorative frameworks; bilingual skills are a plus. This is a part-time, non-exempt role with flexible hours.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required; degree preferred.
• Minimum of two years of direct youth experience.
• Experience in mentoring, education, recreation, or social services preferred.
• Knowledge of restorative frameworks recommended.
• Cultural humility and inclusive engagement are important.
• Ability to build trusting, strength-based relationships.
• Strong organizational skills; timely program reports.
• Proficient with Outlook/Word; Excel/PowerPoint a plus.
• Trauma-informed/healing-centered engagement training is a plus.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with youth and serve as a positive role model.
• Provide 1:1 in-person mentoring through multiple monthly sessions.
• Increase safety, belonging, and community connection for youth.
• Strengthen life skills, decision-making, and self-efficacy.
• Expand positive relationships and adult support networks.
• Promote long-term, sustainable mentoring relationships.
• Reduce youth isolation and risk of violence.
• Facilitate and support quarterly youth-led group outings.

Skills

Mentoring

Youth development

Bilingual English/Spanish

Organizational skills

Report writing

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate or bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Title: Youth Mentor
Location: Family Focus - Belmont Cragin
Supervisor: Program Manager

Family Focus is your partner in building strong families across the Chicago Metropolitan area! We're here to support families and their children including emergency assistance, child welfare services, family support services, educational programs, youth programs and more. Our goal? To help our communities thrive and reach their full potential! With 11 centers already up and running, we're eager to expand our reach and make an even bigger impact. That's why we're on the lookout for passionate individuals who share our vision to join our team as we grow and serve more families. Are you ready to make a difference? We want you to be a part of our journey!

The Youth Mentor provides individualized mentoring to youth ages 10-21 in Chicago communities. The Youth Mentor will build a positive relationship through consistent, caring one-to-one mentoring that provides guidance, encouragement, and positive youth development. The mentor’s work will support a safe environment that strengthens safety, well-being, and social capital for youth participants.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Build trusting relationships with youth, serving as a positive role model.
• Provide 1:1 in-person mentoring through multiple monthly sessions for each mentee.
• Increase youth safety, belonging, and community connection.
• Strengthen life skills, decision-making, and self-efficacy.
• Expand positive relationships and adult support networks.
• Promote long-term, sustainable mentoring relationships.
• Reduce youth isolation and risk of violence.
• Facilitate and support quarterly youth-led group outings.

The ideal candidate will have the following education and experience:

• High School diploma or GED required; Associate or bachelor's degree in Youth Development, Social Work, Education, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience working directly with youth required.
• Experience with mentoring, education, recreation, or social services environment preferred.
• Knowledge of restorative frameworks recommended.
• Commitment to cultural humility and inclusive engagement.
• Proven ability to build trusting, strength-based relationships.
• Strong organizational skills. Ability to timely complete program reports and program facilitation.
• Microsoft Outlook, Word experience. Excel and PowerPoint skills are a plus.
• Previous training in trauma-informed and healing-centered engagement a plus.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills a plus.

Hourly rate: $20/Hour (20-25 Hours/Week)

Schedule: Flexible hours; after-school as well as some evening and/or weekends as necessary to accommodate mentee availability and schedule.

Position duration: through December 2026.

This is a part-time non-exempt position.

Discover all the benefits we offer to support your well-being and professional growth here: https://www.family-focus.org/career-benefits/

Family Focus is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Keywords: Mentoring, Youth Development, Social Work, Youth Mentor, Community Services.