YOUTH OUTREACH SPECIALIST

YM360 - Youth Ministry 360, Inc.; Bolingbrook (IL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Dental Premium $0

Simple IRA Plan + 3% Company Match

Paid Time Off

10 Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Heart Haven Outreach (H2O) seeks a full-time youth caregiver to mentor teens, build trusting relationships, and run group activities within a para-church context.

You will manage about 12 teens, collaborate with staff and volunteers, and partner with schools and community groups to support outcomes. A Bachelor's degree and faith alignment are essential, with opportunities for growth and fundraising involvement.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 or older.
• Personal faith aligned with our Statement of Faith.
• Deep, patient love for hurting teens and families.
• Ability to initiate relationships and earn trust with wary teens.
• Emotional perceptiveness and capacity for real depth with people.
• Belief that all teens can succeed with support.
• Willingness to thrive in a growing ministry.
• Commitment to hard work, prayer, and real change.

Responsibilities

• Carry a caseload of about 12 teens, meeting one-on-one regularly to build trust and support.
• Plan and lead field trips, support groups, and large group activities.
• Coordinate with staff, interns, and volunteers for outreach in schools and the community.
• Connect with families and refer to outside resources as needed.
• Work with local schools and community organizations; assist with transportation and crowd management.
• Participate in occasional fundraising support for programs.

Skills

Relationship building

Emotional sensitivity

Patience

Flexibility

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in youth ministry, psychology, social work

Job description

Job Details

Heart Haven Outreach, also known as H2O, exists to transform the lives of struggling teens through caring relationships and programs that support their emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual growth. This isn't a desk job; it's a calling. If you believe every young person is capable of something great, and you're willing to show up consistently for kids who haven't had many people do that, keep reading.

What We Believe

Everything We Do Flows From Five Core Values

Growth

We are always expanding our reach and sharpening our effectiveness, individually and as an organization. We don't settle for good enough when lives are at stake.

Relationships

We show up for one another personally and professionally, because we believe in the whole person; not just the role they fill.

Authenticity

We have the courage to be truly known, and we work hard to make it safe for the people around us; staff, supporters, and teens alike; to do the same.

Community

This work is too hard to do alone. We depend on our full community of staff and supporters for strength and care over the long haul, because it genuinely takes all of us.

Empowerment

Every person on our team has something powerful to offer. We trust each other to take ownership, make decisions, and make a difference.

If those values resonate with you, you'll fit right in here.

Who You Are

You're not just passionate about youth work in the abstract; you know this community. You may have grown up here, live here now, or have spent meaningful time working or volunteering with young people facing real hardship. You understand that trust with a struggling teen isn't given, it's earned; slowly, consistently, and sometimes after setbacks. And when things get hard, you don't walk away. You know that to a kid who has been let down before, your commitment to stay is part of the message.

Specifically, You

• Are 21 or older
• Have a personal faith compatible with our Statement of Faith (see application)
• Have a deep, patient love for hurting teens and their families - not just in theory
• Can initiate relationships and earn trust with young people who may not trust easily
• Are emotionally perceptive and capable of real depth with people
• Believe God loves everyone unconditionally and that every kid can succeed
• Are flexible and patient enough to thrive in a growing, evolving ministry
• Are energized by hard work, prayer, and seeing real change in people's lives
• Hold a Bachelor's degree, preferably in youth ministry, psychology, social work, or a related field

What You'll Do

You'll carry a caseload of roughly 12 teens, meeting with each of them one-on-one on a regular basis; building trust, assessing their needs, and walking alongside them over time. Beyond those individual relationships, you'll also plan and lead field trips, support groups and large group activities and lessons. You will work with a team of staff, interns, and volunteers to do outreach in the schools and the community. You will connect with families of the teens and refer them to outside resources when needed. You will collaborate with local schools, community organizations, and other youth workers. You will also help provide transportation to and from programs using H2O vehicles, oversee crowd management, and be part of occasional fundraising support for the programs.

This is a para-church organization. The position includes sharing your faith and teaching from Scripture during your work with teens.

Schedule

Role

This is a full-time role (40 hours/week). The schedule is built around when teens are actually available; that means a mix of daytime and evening hours:

• Monday / Wednesday / Friday: approximately 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Tuesday / Thursday: approximately 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• Periodic special events may require different hours, occasionally on the weekend,

It's a non-traditional schedule, and we think it's worth it.

How We Support Our Staff

We know that working with struggling teens is demanding work, and we don't ask you to do it without real support behind you.

From day one, you'll go through an extensive onboarding process designed to give you the tools, context, and confidence to step into your role well. Beyond that initial training, we invest in your ongoing growth through conferences and by bringing in outside experts to train and challenge our team.

You won't be working in isolation. Our team plans and executes programs together, which means you'll build genuine working relationships with colleagues who understand what you're carrying. Regular team meetings keep us aligned and give space to process the work together.

And when you need personal guidance, the Program Director is invested in you - not just as an employee, but as a person. Mentorship here is relational, not transactional. You'll have someone in your corner who knows you, challenges you, and is committed to your growth over time.

Compensation And Benefits

This position starts at $40,000 annually.

Benefits Include

• $0 Health and Dental Insurance Premium
• Simple IRA Plan + 3% Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement