Outreach Specialist

Make a Difference in Your Community - the McCormick YMCA is now hiring a full-time Outreach Specialist to work with the Youth Safety Violence Prevention Program (YSVP)!

The Outreach Specialist plays a key role working directly with youth impacted by violence as a component of Youth Safety and Violence Prevention's overall outreach and programming efforts. The target age for programming and services is youth ages 13-18. The Outreach Specialist will act as a mentor and provide case management for youth in the program. This also includes accountability for assessing the needs of youth and families and ensuring the proper referrals for advocacy, school enrollment, counseling, substance abuse services, employment, job training, etc. The Outreach Specialist also manages all documentation and reporting as related to the services provide to the referred youth to meet program requirements. This role also participates in community development activities as need to support program activities.

Salary range for this position starts at $22.00 per hour with full-time benefits and opportunities to grow within the organization.

Our staff is the Y's greatest asset. Our teams provide valuable skills, knowledge, and passion that is essential to the contribution and positive impact in our communities, which is why we offer Y employees numerous perks and benefits, including:

• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees
• Opportunity for eligible employees to participate in the Y's retirement fund
• Be part of a team that is passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable environment for all staff, volunteers, and members
• Do meaningful work and contribute to the advancement of the YMCA vision by meeting the needs of the people in our communities
• Complimentary Family YMCA membership and an employee discount on select programs
• Career advancement opportunities - grow your career at the Y!

Scope of Responsibilities

• Identify and recruit youth with a trauma history to participate in YSVP programming; practice relentless outreach to ensure continued participation
• Establish positive and constructive relationships and serve as a positive role model. This includes frequent contact with youth through home visits, relationship building activities and programming at YSVP program sites.
• Act as a general advocate for individual youth as it pertains the legal system and related subsidiaries
• Facilitate peace circles
• Facilitate curriculum-guided group sessions including supporting youth efforts to create and implement community-based projects
• Provide structured recreational activities utilizing facilities such as the YMCA community hubs and other neighborhood facilities
• Provide case management and mentoring services (i.e. observation, home visits, case notes, case reviewing, and dialogue with school, adults/ youth) for a large caseload guided by a "youth-driven" service and goal plans
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly reports according to supervisor and program/contract guidelines
• Enter program information into appropriate data tracking system (CitySpan or other appropriate systems)
• Strengthen and increase knowledge and ability to utilize trauma informed practices and approaches to support youth in group and individual settings
• Provide transportation for youth to program activities using YMCA vehicles while adhering to YMCA policies and guidelines
• Support the mission and vision of the YMCA and YSVP as assigned.

Minimum and Preferred Requirements:

• Must be minimum of five years older than youth served through the program.
• Ability to handle a significant caseload providing appropriate programming, resources, services and interventions to meet the needs of participants. Understands impact of trauma on youth and trauma-informed practices and programming.
• Passion and commitment to the YMCA's mission and vision for Youth Safety and violence prevention.
• Strong community engagement skills with deep awareness of communities' dynamics and resources
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt communication to multiple audiences
• Self-motivated with the demonstrated ability to set meaningful goals and take action
• Demonstrated critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Continuous learner who leverages opportunities for learning and applies new knowledge and skills
• Ability to travel locally within the Chicago area to multiple locations for home visits and program activities
• Valid driver's license with clear driving record and the ability to meet necessary requirements to drive a YMCA vehicle.
• Demonstrates evidence of YMCA Y Team competencies in previous experience or practice
• Meets physical qualifications required as outlined in job description. The YMCA will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.

Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA's commitment to child abuse prevention by:

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required