Teen Youth Worker

About This Role

Serve as a Teen Youth Worker, providing mentorship and case management to youth aged 14-24 impacted by violence. Responsibilities include assessing needs, making referrals, and managing documentation to support their well-being and development.

Responsibilities

• Identify and recruit youth with a trauma history to participate in Teen Programming
• Establish positive and constructive relationships and serve as a positive role model to high-risk youth
• Provide case management and mentoring services (observation, home visits, case notes, case reviewing, dialogue with school and family) for a large caseload
• Act as a general advocate for individual youth as it pertains to the legal system and related subsidiaries
• Facilitate peace circles and curriculum-guided group sessions
• Provide structured recreational activities utilizing YMCA facilities and other neighborhood venues
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly reports according to supervisor and program/contract guidelines
• Enter program information into an appropriate data tracking system (e.g., CitySpan)
• Strengthen knowledge and ability to utilize trauma informed practices and approaches to support youth
• Provides transportation for youth to program activities using YMCA vehicles

Requirements

• Ability to handle a significant caseload providing appropriate programming, resources, services and interventions
• Understanding of the impact of trauma on youth and trauma-informed practices
• Must be minimum five years older than youth served through the program
• Passion and commitment to the YMCA’s mission and vision for Teen Programming
• Strong community engagement skills with deep awareness of community dynamics and resources
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt communication to multiple audiences
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to set meaningful goals and act
• Demonstrated critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to travel locally within the Chicago area to multiple locations

Skills

* Required skills

Benefits