Overview:

We are seeking a dedicated Life Coach to join our team, Gaining Independence for Tomorrow (GIFT). As a Life Coach, you will provide prevention, intervention, stabilization, advocacy, and support services for DCF-involved cis-girls, trans girls, gender diverse youth (assigned-female-at-birth) between the ages of 11-22. These youth have been identified as

1) currently experiencing commercial sexual exploitation,

2) at risk of experiencing commercial sexual exploitation, or

3) in recovery from commercial sexual exploitation.

Life Coaches are individuals who can, based on their own personal life experiences and/or professional/educational experience, appropriately redirect youth to adapt a healthier and safer lifestyle. The relationships developed between the Life Coach and the youth they are matched with is essential to the success of this program. Life Coaches will employ a non-judgmental approach designed to accept youth wherever they are on the continuum of sexual exploitation while helping them to build connections and relationships that will help support and stabilize them while preparing for their future. Development of a strong relationship between a Life Coach and a youth is critical; Life Coaches are the glue that holds together an often-fragile connection between the child and the vital services they need to succeed.

Efforts will be made to match youth involved in the program with Life Coaches whose background and experiences most closely resemble theirs. A Life Coach will be directly responsible for managing a caseload of 7-8 youth. Life Coaches are expected to check in with their clients regularly and to see their clients once a week, acting as the youth’s main connection to safety and as a portal to more intensive services when/if, the youth decides to use them. It is the expectation that Life Coaches will work with youth as long as the youth and the Department of Children and Families deem necessary.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include:

• Provide face to face contact once a week with assigned youth
• Create and monitor safety plans with clients
• Model positive behaviors
• Maintain confidentiality with youth and open communication with supervisor
• Assist youth in establishing goals (interpersonal, sexual health, educational, life, etc)
• Work as part of a team with other staff and collaterals
• Participate and/or lead weekly group sessions and supporting event planning
• Complete all reporting and documentation requirements in a timely manner
• Identify community resources and services for youth and their families
• Develop linkages between youth, their families, foster families, and/or other community connections
• Provide cultural, social, and recreational activities
• Provide assistance with employment, training, educational, health, housing, safety needs
• Assist with transportation, when needed
• Prepare daily, weekly, monthly reports as required
• Participate in all required meetings and trainings
• Weekly working hours will be 10am-6pm with a Tuesday to Saturday or a Sunday to Thursday schedule with the ability to work longer evening hours once a week up till 8pm for GIFT’s weekly group sessions during the school year

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelors degree (preferred) in Human Services or related field
• 1-3 years of experience working directly with at risk/proven risk youth
• Knowledge of the issues faced by young people that have been victims of commercial sexual exploitation
• Knowledge about the intersectionality of many cultures & races, various sexual orientations & gender identities of LGBTQIA youth (including trans youth and gender diverse youth)
• Microsoft Office skills
• Must be able to handle multiple tasks and to meet deadlines in a timely fashion
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Must be able to travel and drive long distance around Massachusetts
• Must possess a vehicle in order to transport and meet other requirements of the job
• Bilingual/bicultural candidates are encouraged to apply; Strong preference for fluency in Spanish and other languages serving the client demographics

Experience:

• Demonstrated knowledge of providing healthy practices and commitment to youth and young adults (ages 11-22)
• Demonstrated strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to balance working in a fast paced environment
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills

Additional Preferred Experience:

• Persons who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation are encourage to apply

Roxbury Youthworks Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and follows a policy of administering all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Relocate:

• Dorchester, MA 02121: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Dorchester, MA 02121