Volunteer Youth Advocate

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Youth Advocate Volunteer Description

Haven Adolescent Community Respite Center ("Haven") provides vital, family-strengthening,
community-based services for adolescents and their families experiencing family conflict, significantly
reducing the risks of teen homelessness and incarceration.

Youth Advocates serve as residential staff at our respite center located on the west side of Jersey City.
The center houses up to 4 youths ages 12 - 17 who are experiencing conflict at home, runaway and/or
homeless for up to 3 weeks.

Because of the nature of our work, we are unable to predict when we will be housing youths, therefore the urgency for volunteers to support us overnights and/or on the weekends is crucial and important. You would be supporting our night staff and/or weekend staff. We are not expecting you to commit to all three weeks, you decide how many "shifts" you are available to help us with.

Responsibilities consist of supporting our staff with the following:
● Provide direct supervision and care to respite center residents onsite
● Work with youth to establish individual goals and action plans for success
● Monitor, track and document the progress and success of youth
● Respond to resident crisis and concerns
● Create and promote emotionally safe environment for clients to engage with staff and peers
● Facilitate basic intake when social work staff are not on site
● Provide non-judgmental support to both youth and their families in times of crisis
● Other related duties as assigned

Qualifications - Required:
● High school diploma or equivalent.
● Valid driver’s license (company car available).
● Experience working with young people with varying skills, abilities, life experiences and/or from
diverse backgrounds.
● An understanding of maintaining confidentiality when supporting youths and their family.
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
● Computer technology skills, including Google Office.
● Must be able to pass a full criminal background check before hire.
● Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or ability to complete full vaccination prior to employment.

Qualifications - Preferred
● Bilingual (Spanish)
● Experience working with the education system - including public schools and school districts - or
with similar large systems.

www.havenrespite.org