The rate of pay for this position is $21.25 an hour.

Your New Role:

The THORN (Treatment & Harm Reduction Oriented Recovery Network) Peer Support Specialist uses relatable lived experience to provide supports for youth experiencing homelessness who may be experiencing substance use or mental health challenges. The THORN Peer Support Specialist participates in group facilitation, street outreach, collaboration with different teams and agency providers, and working with youth individually to connect to mental health or recovery resources. The peer support specialist works closely with the THORN Recovery Specialist as well as the Recovery Oriented Supports & Engagement (ROSE) Team, which is a collaborative effort of the Multnomah County Homeless Youth Services Continuum to support youth in building recovery and gaining the resources and treatment necessary to exit homelessness.

What this Role is...

Engagement - In this role you will participate in creative and dynamic opportunities to engage with youth one on one as well as in group settings, both onsite and in community. You will be able to facilitate recreational or psychoeducational groups focused on building connections and creating a greater sense of community.

Youth Centered - In this role, you will experience youth at many stages of change. Getting to build rapport and relationship is integral to this role, and is the key to supportive change. You will get to utilize the frames of harm reduction and strengths-based approaches to support youth in what "recovery" might look like for them.

Dynamic- In this role you will be a part of the larger continuum of supports for young people. You will work with different programs within the agency, and also be a part of street outreach through our Day Services and East Connect programs to refer youth to the wide array of services we have to offer.

Skills and Attributes:

* Desire to work with multicultural staff and youth in a diverse setting

* Provide recovery engagement and support services to youth receiving services

* Assist youth in obtaining resources, referrals and/or services

* Participate in outreach and create program visibility by providing information on services in areas where homeless youth engage

* Run and organize recreational groups

* Work with other Homeless Youth Continuum employees to co-facilitate youth activities

* Participate in crisis prevention, intervention, and support as needed

Experience:

* Lived experience with mental health challenges and/or the mental health system, substance use, houselessness or homelessness, or any combination of the above

* Peer Support Specialist (PSS), Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM), or similar credential or ability to obtain within a period of 6 months of hire

* High School Diploma or equivalent preferred

About Us...

New Avenues is an innovative, influential social services agency that works in partnership with the Portland area community to provide homeless, foster-care, and at-risk youth of all backgrounds with the resources and skills needed to lead healthy, productive lives. At New Avenues, everyone is youth centered and collaboratively work together to accomplish our mission.

We are a diverse non-profit organization serving this community for over 25 years. At New Avenues, we seek dynamic, spirited individuals looking to contribute to the success of these amazing young people. Being part of our team offers a rewarding experience where your contributions have impact. Our approachable and supportive management team is focused on providing you with the tools, guidance, and autonomy to thrive while gaining invaluable social services background.

Our Commitment to Equity...

Back in 2015, New Avenues for Youth embarked on an unending initiative to consistently advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. Today, we are a more curious and consciously aware agency of employees invested in the ongoing practice of learning from multiple perspectives and lived experiences. We firmly believe equity is an ongoing commitment without closure; in taking risks, we will learn from our mistakes. We are an organization committed to listen to each other and those that we serve, to always strive for transparency, to remain humble, and to resist the urge to simplify or silence hard truths. We make these commitments because we believe in social justice and the inherent human dignity of each individual.

New Avenues Offers a Comprehensive Benefits Package...

Paid Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time, Paid Holidays, No Employee Cost Share for your Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance, Short and Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance. Flexibility Spending Accounts, a 403b Retirement Savings Plan, and an Employee Assistance Resource and Referral Program.

Apply Today...

Simply click on the 'Apply for Job' button at the bottom of this screen and attach your resume and cover letter.

New Avenues for Youth is an Equal opportunity Employer.