Youth, Family and Communication Liaison

Connections only does one thing – mentoring. We do it really well. We recruit, screen, train, and support adult volunteers to become caring, compassionate, positive adults to young people. Mentee participation is voluntary and the only incentive is the opportunity to develop a supportive relationship with a caring adult. Mentors and mentees are matched based on mutual interests, complimentary strengths and needs, geography, and amount of time they want to commit to each other. Matches are supported by Connections staff to ensure safety and growth, in close partnership with the young person’s clinical treatment team, for a minimum of one year. Connections is unique in that we stick with our mentees regardless of whether they change living situations or transition completely out of the system.

The mission of Connections is to work in partnership with young people, families, organizations, and volunteer to curate long-lasting, supportive mentoring relationships that improve self-worth for young people with past, current, or peripheral contact with the child welfare or juvenile justice systems in New York City or Westchester County.

The Youth, Family, and Community Liaison will be central to our mission of providing a positive and life changing experience for our youth by working alongside families and communities to provide coaching, guidance, and compliance to young people throughout their time with Connections. The Youth, Family, and Community Liaison will support mentoring relationships by keeping young people engaged, troubleshooting challenges that arise, and teaching them how to show up in a relationship. They will foster family support of the mentoring relationship and build community relationships that strengthen the experience.

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• • Supports the mission, vision, and values of Connections by serving as a role model to children and colleagues
  • Supports and facilitates positive interaction with others by exhibiting:

  Individual maturity

  Respect for others

  A team-centered approach

  Maintenance of confidential information

  An appreciation of a multicultural workplace

  • Complies with all organizational policies and procedures as defined by the Employee Handbook.
  • Communicates appropriate information to colleagues and partners in a timely and effective manner.
  • Participates in appropriate professional development programs to attain and maintain competency.
  • Fosters positive, nurturing relationships, building trust through interest and active engagement with mentees, mentors, families, community partners, and staff
  • Provides support to mentees and families through in-person meetings, phone and text messaging, Zoom, and other creative engagement tactics appropriate for young person engagement.
  • Contributes regularly to social media communication, including providing input on strategies and messages.
  • Develops and fosters relationships with community groups and partner organizations that benefit Connections, including through referrals, recruitment, and experiential opportunities.
  • Maintain and nurture relationships with agency and community partners.
  • Organizes and hosts:
  • Reaches out to new referrals and their families to introduce and give an overview of our program.
  • Reach out to families and mentees monthly, or even weekly, for a check-in and to provide match support
  • Keep agency partners updated on their referrals
  • Find monthly free events for mentees and mentors in New York City
  • Save and respond to Visit Recaps
  • Give organization-wide presentations introducing our program to new agencies
  • Stay abreast on new resources and tools for our families (Cash assistance programs, ICE trainings etc.)
  • Organize and lead partnership events (Culture for One, NYPL, etc.)
  • Main point of contact for agencies, families, and community partners.
  • Manage budget for monthly and quarterly events.
  • Manage budget for YLC meetings
  • Recruits and interviews prospective mentees; and provides onboarding to individuals for participation
  • Recognize and celebrate mentee and family contributions
  • Promote community linkages and partnerships for resource development for youth and families.
  • Manages all necessary administrative tasks including data collection, evaluation and follow-up, budgeting, scheduling, and reports for analysis and metrics measurement.
  • Conducts regular program evaluation, pre/post surveys, and satisfaction surveys to ensure feedback is regularly invited and outcomes are accurately tracked.
  • Supervises the Connections Youth Leadership Council, including scheduling meetings, building relationships, and providing structure and support.
  • Delivers program workshops, field trips, skills training and onboarding sessions for mentors, youth mentees, and caregivers.
  • Regularly evaluates all of the above, including performance of program objectives and deliverables, recommending measures for continuous improvements and increased success

• Recent MSW graduate, Undergraduate degree and 2 years of relevant work experience, or High school diploma (or equivalency) and 6 years of relevant work experience.
• Excellent interviewing and assessment skills
• Nonjudgmental approach to working with diverse groups of people
• Demonstrated ability to set and maintain boundaries and discerning judgment.
• Ability to communicate competently and confidently with diverse groups of people, including presentations to large groups
• Strong writing, listening, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent planning, organizational, and time management skills
• Demonstrated experience building successful partnerships; planning and strategy ability

• Detail-oriented and results-driven
• Positive, action-oriented attitude showing initiative, independent thinking and sound judgement
• Ability to lead, inspire and motivate others to accomplish their goals
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency and CRM tools
• Social Media proficiency
• 11am-7pm, M-F. Availability and willingness to flex schedule to work occasional evening and weekend hours as programmatic needs arise (approximately 1-6 evening and/or weekend days per month).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and build relationships remotely.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to multiple locations in Westchester County and throughout New York City

A Generous benefit package offered.  The salary for this position 60k

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