Youth Advocates

The African Canadian Christian Network (ACCN) Nurturing Promise, Harvesting Potential

(NPHP - Program) is an evidence-based intervention program for African Canadian students ages 14–19 years old. The project works to support these youth who face multiple risk factors with positive life alternatives in order to achieve academic success.

NPHP adopts an African-centered approach to engage and support African Canadian youth and is designed to increase their academic achievement, positively influence attitudes toward school, reduce truancy, create opportunities for entrance into post- secondary education, increase prospects for employment, and teach financial literacy.

The project supports will also strengthen family bonds and improve rapport with teachers.

The project will implement four key components: academic supports, life skills programming, mentorship and family supports. NPHP will be offered to Black youth living within the Toronto and the Greater Toronto Areas of Peel and Durham over a 52-month period.

The ACCN invites applications from qualified candidates interested in the following position:

POSITION: Youth Advocate

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time, Contract

START DATE: October 1, 2024 (or sooner)

SALARY: ($50,000 - $55,000)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Youth Advocate (YA) provides intake, develops and implements personal educational plans, provides care management supports and delivers workshops, activities and events, for ACCN youth. The Youth Advocate is responsible for organizing and delivering program activities designed to support students academically, build social capabilities, and foster post-secondary readiness. The YA will work within a dynamic team to increase academic success and to decrease potential involvement within the criminal justice system for youth.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Plan, implement and supervise the educational plans for youth
Facilitate and monitor youth success by becoming familiar with their strengths, capacities, and challenges, faced by the youth. This includes tracking and reporting on their attendance and engagement
Active support to youth to be connected to community mentors who are able to support them
Maintain case files and case management of youth files
Provide warm referral pathways for youth to help meet identified needs
Lead workshops on life skills, educational success and other ACCN programming
Empower students and their families to access and effectively use community resources.
Deliver workshops and in service programs to students and community personnel in areas related to interpersonal and social issues
Work collaboratively with co-workers and Director, to develop and maintain programs and expectations
Document all interventions and prepare professional reports as required.
Ensure that students and their families are provided culturally sensitive services that enhance students’ learning experiences.
Work collaboratively with program partners including post-secondary institutions to build and maintain professional partnerships and engaging and relevant programs and events
Recruit, monitor and support Volunteer Tutors and Mentors providing feedback and techniques as well as opportunities for volunteers to collaborate in program development in program development
Maintain regular bi-weekly contact with youth, and having regular contact with parents/guardian, mentors, tutors and school staff
Complete reports on activities and programs
Participate in on-going program evaluation and program development efforts, including the development of workshops and specialized activities designed to meet the needs of students
Other tasks as assigned, from time to time

Qualifications and Skills required:

Post-Secondary Degree or Diploma in Education, Child and Youth work, Social or Community Development work or post-Secondary qualifications that meet requirements of Project Management and Planning
Experience in developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating programs for high school aged youth
Direct experience and knowledge of supporting youth within an educational, setting
Experience in working in partnership arrangements through collaborative methods
Experience and foundational knowledge on approaches to providing support to a wide spectrum of youth needs
Proficient at a high level with digital communication methods & platforms
Knowledge of and experience in de-escalation methods
Experience understanding group dynamics, and anti-oppression principles
Strong interpersonal, and communication skills
Understanding of and grounding in adolescent development
Ability to work collaboratively within, and across teams
Understanding of Anti-oppression principles
Demonstrated skills in social service or community service program design and implementation
Demonstrated skills, experience and passion working with at-risk, marginalized or street involved youth
Knowledge of Ontario Secondary School curriculum and challenges, preferably gained through direct experience with secondary school teachers, administrators, and support staff (is an asset)

ACCN will offer a competitive benefits package

To assist the Black youth, we work with to achieve success and to reach their fullest potential, we invite and welcome applications from all qualified individuals. We specifically encourage applicants that represents the community of youth that we serve as well as those who are traditionally marginalized and underrepresented.

Interested candidates are invited to apply on or before 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20 2024.

You should email your resume and cover letter as ONE document.

We thank all applicants for applying, however only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 24 months

Pay: $53,000.00-$55,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

African Canadian Christian Network (ACCN) jobs

Youth Advocate