Program Department

Friends of the Children - New York (Friends NY) is looking for a passionate, committed, professional mentor, who we call Friends, to join our family. Friends NY is a chapter of a nationwide organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty through salaried, professional mentoring. We select children facing multiple systemic obstacles from the five NYC boroughs and commit to working with those children from kindergarten to graduation (12+ years), no matter what.

OVERVIEW:

A Friend works intensively with eight to ten youth. We are seeking a mentor for our Childhood program (Pre-Kindergarten to 6^th Grade) or Adolescent program (6th Grade to 12th Grade) to serve as a positive adult role model to eight elementary children or ten adolescents and develop loving, caring, and sustained relationships with each child. For each child, a Friend will set positive expectations; nurture and promote each child’s strength, talents, and abilities; help ensure physical and emotional well-being; teach life and academic skills; provide enrichment activities; and model responsible behavior. A Friend will fully document activities and participate in ongoing evaluation processes, including fulfilling other required administrative tasks. Friends will work primarily one-on-one with their children. A Friend must know, understand, honor, and support the organization’s mission, vision, values, and principles, and be able to clearly articulate the organization’s function.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develop and sustain a long-term, caring, protective, and loving relationship with each child and caregiver
• Spend time with children, one-on-one and within group settings
• Set annual realistic expectations and roadmap goals based on each child’s strengths, talents, abilities, and needs
• Provide enrichment resources and activities that include opportunities for cultural awareness
• Develop positive relationships with caregivers, families, teachers, and others involved in each child’s life
• Reinforce basic academic skills and refer to tutoring if needed
• Spend within budgetary guidelines to support outings
• Complete activity journals, roadmap goals, and expense reports, quarterlies and assessments accurately in a timely manner
• Attend and actively participate in team meeting and staff functions (In-person or virtually)
• Maintain First Aid/CPR certification
• Provide information and support to the development and executive team on related activities
• Fulfill other responsibilities as requested

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma, with two-years’ experience working with children a plus
• Willingness to commit for a minimum of three years in role
• Advocate to secure additional resources, opportunities, and services for youth as appropriate
• Assist with systems navigation in NYC schools to secure conditions for optimal academic success
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with children in varied capacities and settings
• Ability to develop trusting relationships
• Ability to work independently and as a team player
• Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• A sense of humor is a plus
• Maintain a 40-hour work schedule that includes afternoons, evenings, and weekends

Desired Skills and Experience

1. Bilingual (preferably Spanish and French)
2. Experience working in Education, Social Services, and Foster Care Agencies
3. Experience working with communities impacted by Substance Abuse, Criminal Justice, Juvenile Retention, Homeless Shelters and Transition Homes, Immigration, and Mental Health.

EOE Statement:

A Friend is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages qualified individuals from all backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We actively seek to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce and embrace the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all individuals.

We believe that diversity enriches our organization and enhances our ability to effectively serve the youth and communities we support. Our commitment to equal opportunity extends to every aspect of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

By fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, we can better fulfill our mission to positively impact the lives of youth and families. We are dedicated to creating an environment where all employees can thrive and contribute to our shared success.

We encourage individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply for positions with our organization and join us in our commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and adolescents.