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Masany

Youth Peer Advocate (FT)

Masany, New York, New York, us, 10261

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Masa partners with Mexican and Latino children, youth, and families in the South Bronx to develop strong learners and leaders who fully contribute to the larger community. We envision a community that is civically engaged, empowered, and educated. Masa’s community‑led, integrated model engages the entire family, grounded in a deep commitment to strengthening literacy, leadership, and power for Mexican, Central American, and Indigenous People. Masa fosters a culturally responsive learning community in which families engage with direct service and advocacy programs to dismantle barriers to success.

About the Family and Youth Peer Support (FYPS) Program The Family and Youth Peer Support (FYPS) Program supports and empowers parents/caregivers of children and youth (birth – age 24) who are experiencing social, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges, and the children and youth themselves. This program is part of an alliance of FYPS programs throughout New York City that provide the following core services: Engagement, Bridging and Transition Support; Self‑Advocacy, Self‑Efficacy and Empowerment; Skill Development; and Community Connection and Natural Supports.

About the Youth Peer Advocate Masa is seeking a Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) to collaborate with youth and their families to assess their needs and link them to appropriate resources in their community. The YPA will be an individual between the ages of 18 to 30 years old who has self‑identified as a person with first‑hand lived experience with social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges, and has experience receiving mental health services and/or navigating other child‑serving systems.

The right person for this role will be energetic and excited about supporting immigrant and undocumented youth and families, be able to build trust and maintain relationships with youth ages 0-24 years old, be knowledgeable in navigating child‑serving systems as a result of their own lived experience, be highly organized, and maintain professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

Support youth with navigating child‑serving systems to obtain the necessary support, services and resources for their child(ren) to be successful in their mental and emotional well‑being

Create a service plan with youth and support them in achieving the goals outlined in the service plan through group services, individual one-to-one services that include building self‑advocacy skills and meeting preparation for upcoming appointments, filling out applications and paperwork and making referrals

Facilitate workshops and support groups for youth enrolled in the program

Organize social and recreational activities organized for youth and families

Conduct outreach to recruit youth and families to the FYPS program through street outreach, tabling, panels, and attending community events

Raise awareness of community needs and issues that become evident as you conduct outreach, meet with families and youth, and attend meetings

Work in collaboration with the Family Peer Advocate (FPA) to provide a holistic approach to supporting children, youth and families

Research services available for undocumented families and youth that will support their individual and family goals

Work with socially, economically, culturally, and ethnically diverse groups in a mutually respectful manner using a strengths‑based approach

Alliance and FYPS Program Responsibilities

Conduct outreach, including presentations, email blasts, social media blasts, fairs and events, neighborhood canvasing

Participate in agency and alliance community awareness events

Attend meetings, councils, committees, and other convening bodies as identified by supervisor

Participate in trainings, workshops, symposiums, conferences, and other events for professional development and to advance knowledge and skills around peer support, mental health, advocacy, or other areas of work related to job responsibilities

Complete YPA credentialing within a year

Attend 26 hours of trainings annually, as required

Administrative Responsibilities

Maintain, organize and file confidential family and youth records

Receive and document referrals made by CBOs or other entities or individuals looking to refer a family, parents/caregivers, or youth in need of FYPS services

Conduct intakes to gather information and support parents/caregivers in developing goals that meets the FYPS model

Document all efforts, activities, and engagement with parents/caregivers in Maven and Salesforce in a timely manner

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

The Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) will be an individual between the ages of 18 to 30 years old who has self‑identified as a person with first‑hand lived experience with social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges, and has experience receiving mental health services and/or navigating other child‑serving systems

Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, both oral and written proficiency is required

Demonstrates qualities of leadership, including knowledge of advocacy, and can positively reflect on and share his/her experiences with others

Possess excellent judgement; attention to discretion and confidentiality

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Comfortable with computer technology and systems, including entering and tracking data and proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and google suite (google docs, google excel, and google presentation)

Able to work flexible hours, as needed

Bicultural candidates are encouraged to apply and those with prior experience working with families with mixed immigration statuses is a plus

Familiarity with social service agencies in the South Bronx is a plus

Prior experience creating and facilitating workshops is a major plus

This position is in‑person at Masa’s office, and may require local travel to other settings at times (e.g. community and outreach events, etc.)

Light to heavy (25 lbs - 40 lbs) carrying of program materials is required

Work schedule will include late schedule to accommodate for afterschool activities for youth and frequent weekend availability

Compensation $20 - $22 per hour (40 hours/week)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are strongly encouraged! Apply For This Job To apply for this position, please fill in the information below.

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Please upload a resume and cover letter below (in PDF or DOC formats). The cover letter should provide information on why you are applying for this position and the skills you feel you would bring to the role. Thank you!

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