Youth Reentry Mentor & Credible Messenger

Gosonyc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

GOSO is seeking a Credible Messenger to mentor justice-involved youth and young adults (16–24) navigating incarceration and reentry. The role centers on lived experience, building trusted relationships, and bridging participants to clinical and case management services.

The Credible Messenger supports emotional regulation, life skills, and pathways toward education and employment, while collaborating with program staff to ensure safety and continuity of care.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with the justice system preferred or relevant higher education.
• Experience working with youth ages 16–24 required.
• Background in mentorship, reentry, or youth development preferred.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills.
• Passion for working with justice-involved youth.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate programming and mentorship at Rikers Island a minimum of twice per week.
• Establish and maintain strong, consistent, and trust-based relationships with participants ages 16–24.
• Use lived experience as a tool to authentically connect, motivate, and guide participants through personal challenges.
• Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating accountability, emotional intelligence, and pro-social behavior.
• Provide individualized mentorship focused on goal setting, decision-making, and personal development.
• Serve as a liaison within the community space, helping participants feel comfortable accessing clinical and case management support.
• Support warm handoffs and coordinated care between mentorship, case management, and therapeutic services.
• Help reduce resistance or distrust participants may have toward systems or formal services.
• Build rapport with incarcerated youth to support pre‑release engagement and continuity into community-based services.
• Utilize restorative justice principles to guide conversations, repair harm, and build community.
• De‑escalate conflicts and high‑stress situations using trauma-informed techniques and personal credibility.
• Assist participants in navigating barriers such as housing instability, unemployment, education gaps, and legal obligations.
• Educate and inform staff of current or potential participant conflicts based on clients’ social backgrounds, community affiliations, neighborhood dynamics, or interpersonal history in order to support proactive intervention and de‑s…
• Provide input and recommendations for individualized and program-wide safety planning strategies based on participants’ social backgrounds, community dynamics, and identified conflict risks to help maintain a safe environment for staff and participants.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of participant engagement and progress.
• Participate in team meetings, case conferences, and training.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors and team members.
• Uphold confidentiality and adhere to all program policies and procedures.

Skills

Lived experience

Youth mentorship

Communication skills

Facilitation skills

Education

Relevant higher education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

GOSO is seeking a Credible Messenger to mentor justice-involved youth and young adults (16–24) navigating incarceration and reentry. The role centers on lived experience, building trusted relationships, and bridging participants to clinical and case management services.

The Credible Messenger supports emotional regulation, life skills, and pathways toward education and employment, while collaborating with program staff to ensure safety and continuity of care.