Job Description

The Self-Determination Messenger role is grounded in YWFC’s approach to personal and structural transformation and is guided by the organization's guiding principles of Sisterhood/ Siblinghood, Self-Determination, Spirituality, and Social Justice. The Self-Determination Messenger works to ensure that participants of YWFC’s programs have the space, resources, access, and advocacy needed to support them in their healing journey, as well as accessing their own power and voice to navigate the systems and conditions that impact their lives. The Self Determination Messenger works closely with all program staff and program participants, playing a critical role in supporting young cis and trans women and girls, trans men and boys and gender expansive youth* in finding their voice, building self-determination and using their expertise and experiences to advocate on behalf of themselves and others.

The role of the Self Determination Messenger is to ensure that youth at YWFC are provided support from a peer-based, restorative justice framework that is culturally grounded, and gender-specific. Additionally, the SD Messenger ensures that the organization has the proper resources, support, and partners in place to support this work. They are responsible for conducting initial intakes and assessments, working with youth to identify their needs and strengths, assisting them in developing personal and professional goals, and providing support in accessing community resources, such as housing, child care, educational programs, etc. Additionally, this position is responsible for ensuring that all coaching approaches and methods are in line with the organization's mission, vision, values, theory of change, methodology, as well as ensuring that we fulfill grant requirements, and YWFC annual goals and Site goals.

General Duties:

• Building rapport with youth on-site at YWFC and off-site at program locations including juvenile hall, jail, group homes, and county jail, to ensure folks receive the appropriate support through phone calls, snail mail, advocacy letter, and referrals appropriate services
• Conduct interviews, assessments, and develop Self-Determined Life Maps and provide resources for youth onsite at the Center and off-site at program locations including juvenile hall, jail, and group homes, and in the community
• Work as a part of the YWFC team, supporting youth connect to YWFC after detention through self-determination advocacy and leadership programs, and ensuring activities are cohesive and coordinated amongst program staff
• Provide orientation and training to new staff, interns and volunteers who will support leadership programming of YWFC’s guiding principles, methodology, and policy and procedures
• Plan, facilitate, and oversee Self-Determination Advocacy activities, including Culture and Healing Circles and Programs, youth-driven community projects, special events, and other outings
• Coordinate early career exploration and leadership development, including sharing job opportunities, scholarship information, college tours, financial aid workshops, career mentoring, and healing centered opportunities
• Engage participants as community experts and provide leadership based economic opportunities for participants to begin to engage in YWFC’s work as appropriate and as a part of a larger site based strategy
• Collaborate with other program staff on building organizing and advocacy capacity and skills for youth ready to step into leadership roles and engage in YWFC advocacy initiatives.
• Monitor referrals and maintain relationships with the staff of external stakeholders and system partners working with participants, including, but not limited to Probation Departments, Public Defender's, community-based agencies, School districts, Social Workers, etc.
• Participate in necessary meetings with other team members to ensure holistic support and additional support strategies needed to better support participant
• Participate in YWFC’s movement, policy, and local campaign work on an ongoing basis including; participating in strategy and strategy related meetings as necessary, participating in work to advance local campaigns, represent the organization publicly as requested and approved, and participate in coalitions and other community based work as approved/ requested by supervisor
• Support participants in navigating systems (juvenile justice, foster care, mental health, etc.) by providing advocacy, resources, and ongoing support in self-advocacy strategies and education.
• Build authentic, deeply supportive relationships with youth participating in programs and or ensure staff working with youth are maintaining YWFC standards of conduct, exemplifying YWFC values, and utilizing YWFC methodologies and frameworks

Reporting and Evaluation

• Maintain and enter data into appropriate data collection systems for reporting for both city and county, and foundation grant requirements and internal organizational systems/databases in a timely manner
• Maintain weekly program notes and reporting, and collect data pertaining to programmatic goals to contribute to quarterly progress reports
• Oversee all reporting requirements for your respective work plans (monthly reports, data collection, operations reports, Supervision check ins, etc.) and ensure all proper forms are completed, progress is monitored, and data is updated.
• Provide monthly program summaries to the Site Director including quantitative and qualitative data of all programmatic activities, trainings and outcomes pertaining to programmatic goals
• Ensure programs and program activities are evaluated and updated on an ongoing basis and that feedback and findings from evaluations are used to develop, revise, and update programs and activities
• Track participant attendance and engagement, and provide support and accountability to youth around consistent attendance and engaged participation
• Ensure program forms, overviews, flyers, curriculums, and any other significant program data is updated and stored appropriately, in accordance with YWFC’s filing and storage procedures

Administrative Duties:

• Participate in special projects, and tasks as needed and directed by supervisor and other YWFC Directors in efforts to support the advancement of YWFC and site goals
• Create ongoing opportunities for leadership development of youth that we work with including opportunities to learn new tasks and skills, take leadership in the work, and engage in ongoing opportunities.
• Respond to emails, text messages, and other correspondence in a timely manner
• Participate in YWFC events, staff meetings, trainings, and staff development opportunities on an ongoing basis
• Embody and model the values of the organization: Sisterhood/Siblinghood, Self-determination, social justice, and spirituality.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Deep familiarity in California and local site socio-political landscape and youth service providers, and passionate about youth, community development, issues of youth leadership
• The person must be comfortable, mature and professional in interacting with diverse community partners, custody staff, students and colleagues with diverse heritage and backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills demonstrating the ability to interact effectively with program participants, staff colleagues, board members, external stakeholders, and public speaking events
• Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet and handle multiple deadlines and tasks simultaneously deadlines
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suitel, and general computer/ internet use.
• Willingness and ability to grow professionally, be accountable, and to expand skills and adapt to evolving organization environments and constantly changing circumstances
• Advanced problem-solving skills; tactfully address and resolve questions/concerns
• Must be able to meet participants in the field and community, and attend external meetings outside of the designated office as an essential function of this role (Driver’s License Strongly preferred)
• Please note, travel is required for this role

Compensation $31.25/hr

Requirements

None