Family Advocate, Family Enrichment Center

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Family Advocate will be part of the Education Division program staff and will be responsible for contributing to the day-to-day operations of the Brownsville Family Enrichment Center including building connections with other staff, community residents, and community partners; co-designing and delivering relevant programming and offerings; providing advocacy and making referrals for participants; and creating a warm and inviting gathering place for families and individuals using the protective factors model to support community resilience. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Develop strong relationships with families and individuals, demonstrating empathy, understanding, and cultural sensitivity. Maintain a safe, welcoming, and organized space at the FEC

• Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify family needs, strengths, and goals in order to provide individualized services, including goal setting, action planning, and progress monitoring

• Responsible for creating and implementing monthly outreach plans to develop effective partnerships and serve as liaison and advocate on behalf of families to ensure access to necessary services, such as healthcare, education, housing, and social support.

• Convene, support, and collaborate with a team of local parents, subject experts, and other residents to deliver monthly events and offerings held at the FEC

• Serve as a liaison between clients and outside organizations regarding such matters as education, healthcare, and social services

• Conduct outreach activities with vulnerable populations to market the program to recruit new clients and re-engage former clients

• Effectively utilize tracking and reporting mechanisms and enter data accurately for program reporting and evaluation. Co-manage the FEC database system for communication and engagement

• Participate in team meetings, case conferences, and professional development activities to enhance knowledge and skills in the field of family advocacy. Including the use of appreciative inquiry and other strength-based tools to engage community members in the co-designing process

• Create monthly calendars, website content, and other outreach tools to promote and document offerings

• Assist clients in attaining their goals by identifying and locating community resources for clients and by making referrals to appropriate services. As well as engaging members in strategies to work toward goals, including but not limited to strengthening problem-solving skills; providing mentoring; engaging in community resources exploration; and providing life skills support

• Manage the inventory ordering and purchasing responsibilities for program/event supplies inventory

• Perform other related duties as assigned

COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated experience in community-driven programs working directly with children, youth, and families

• Knowledge of and commitment to the Brownsville community required

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment on multiple projects occurring simultaneously

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to warmly connect with and engage children, youth, and adults individually and in groups

• Knowledge of youth, & young adult programming and conducting community events

• Be able to use lived experience with disability, mental illness, criminal legal system, special education, substance use disorder, and/or foster care to assist in supporting the community in their resiliency/recovery and wellness

• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills

• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and collaboratively with all levels of staff, participants, and community members

• Experience preferred developing and implementing a group or a club or coaching a team

• Experience caring for children (as a parent, guardian, relative, neighbor, or babysitter) preferred

• Must have a commitment to work from a trauma-informed, strength-based, youth and family development perspective

• Ability to work a flexible schedule including occasional evenings or weekends as needed to attend program activities

• Commitment to RiseBoro’s mission, vision, and values

• Ability to understand the concepts of institutional and structural racism/bias; ability to understand their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities

• Demonstrated commitment to supporting communities that have experienced systemic oppression i.e. people of color, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, justice-involved persons, etc.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field with a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in community-driven-programs working directly with children, youth, and/or families

• High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in community-driven programs working directly with children, youth, and/or families

Qualifications

It is the policy of RiseBoro to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment. No individual will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, political or union affiliation, marital or partnership status, sex, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity, familial status, genetic information or predisposition or characteristic, disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, status as a veteran or member of the U.S. military and related obligations, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, job placement, compensation, benefits, training and apprenticeship, employee development, promotion, demotion, discipline, transfer, lay-off and recall, and termination. RiseBoro makes reasonable accommodations based on religion and/or disability as required by law, and requests for accommodation are to be directed to the Human Resources Department.