Lawrence Hall is Hiring a Mentor - One Summer Chicago Near Chicago, IL
Essential FunctionsThe One Summer Chicago Mentor reports to the Youth and Community Engagement Supervisor. Provides mentoring to youth, to assist youth in completing social/emotional groups as outlined by the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, engage in positive social and emotional education programs, complete financial literacy training, make academic progress, limit justice system involvement and connect to community-based resources, learn new job skills, and maintain summer employment. OSC Summer Youth Employment (SYEP) and Chicagobility Mentors are expected to provide case management services to youth during regular meetings on-site and during frequent visits to their community, school, place of employment and homes. Requires knowledge of trauma exposure, knowledge of the 5 S's of trauma: Safety, Self-Regulation/Soothing, Supportive, Strengths, Self-Care, and an understanding of and recognition of the signs of traumatic stress. Must own personal vehicle or have access to a vehicle as this position includes frequent travel/field work. Position requires flexible schedule and 24/7 availability as field work may occur during evenings and/or weekends. Responsibilities
Facilitate social/emotional groups as outlined by the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services
Assist youth in completing financial literacy curriculum
Develop Individual Achievement Plans with youth
Coordinate youth services with key stakeholders to support provision of wrap-around services for youth and their families
Provide one-on-one mentoring services outside of program hours to assist the youth in developing the personal, emotional, or social skills that may be impacting their ability to be successful through coaching and modeling positive behaviors
Utilize restorative justice practices to support conflict resolution and positive social engagement.
Act as a liaison between the youth, youth's family, agency, youth's school, police department, and employer
Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms
Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization
Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants
Maintain a positive relationship with employers for the SYEP or Chicagobility program
Teach youth job skills as related to the youth's summer employment placement
Facilitate Career Readiness Training as needed
Maintain a caseload of youth
Coordinate enrichment activities for youth, both individually and in group
Engage youth in a minimum of one face-to-face visit per week. Face-to-face interaction may occur on the Lawrence Hall campus, in the youth's community, school or home
Connect youth with outreach services to address basic social service
Assist participants in learning essential job functions and orientation to the workplace environment and culture
Cultivate and maintain a network of available community resources for youth as needed
Maintain personal area and program service areas in a neat and orderly fashion
Ability to multitask and manage time effectively
Attend all staff meetings and in-service training as required
Participate in program evaluation as required
Participate in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned
Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect
Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences
Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment
Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery
Accurately complete documents as needed
Effectively communicate with referring agencies and/or case managers regarding client's needs, and engagement in program services
Maintain a professional standard when representing the agency or clients
Engage in continuing education and professional development in an effort to provide best practice
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Must be 24 years of age
High School Diploma with 1 or more year of experience working with at-risk youth or Juvenile Justice involved youth
Must be highly organized, detail focused, have excellent time management and possess strong computer skills
Experience with Juvenile Justice System and restorative justice practices preferred
Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred