Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 25,000 individuals. We do this through 50 programs in 70 locations throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity shows not just through our work with supported persons, but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve.

Fair Futures is a youth-led advocacy movement and coalition of 100+ organizations advocating for young people who are system-involved in New York City to have access to the individualized support they need to achieve their potential. Fair Futures is also a comprehensive model that includes a middle school program that prepares students for success in high school and a coaching program where young people ages 14+ are matched with a full-time, professionally trained Coach. Coaches provide emotional support to young people, believe in them, and help them with their academic, career development, housing, and life skills goals.

As a result of the Fair Futures youth-led advocacy efforts, New York City became the first in the nation to secure public funding for all young people in foster care through age 26. In 2020, the Fair Futures model was implemented at all 26 foster care agencies. This year, the Fair Futures model is expanding to serve youth in the justice system in partnership with the Administration for Children’s Services.

Coaches are full-time, trained professionals who are matched with up to 10-15 young people ages 13 and older who have had experience with the justice system. Coaches meet young people “where they are” and build a trusting relationship with them using an authentic, trauma-informed, strength-based approach, often in partnership with colleagues at Close to Home. In addition to providing weekly emotional support, Coaches help young people make progress towards their academic, career development, housing/independent living, and other life goals. When a young person is unsure of their goals/interests, Coaches help them explore and expose them to potential opportunities. They then help young people connect to schools, programs, and opportunities in line with their goals/interests, persist in those settings, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey. Coaches celebrate young people’s progress; if something doesn’t work out, Coaches help young people reflect and connect to the next opportunity.

• Build relationships with up to 10- 15 young people. Coaches employ creative, out-of-the box approaches to engaging youth and do not give up if they are not responsive.
• Provide weekly, ongoing social/emotional support to youth in facility and on aftercare.
• Build relationships and collaborate with the key adults in the young person’s life to support their goals and well-being, including other agency staff (e.g., Case Planners and Specialists), parents, school/program staff, and other significant adult figures.
• Help young people explore their interests and expose them to opportunities in line with their interests.
• Work 1:1 with young people to develop individualized academic and career development goals based on their interests/strengths and take measurable steps towards their goals.
• Connect young people to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities in line with their goals.
• Help young people persist in academic/career settings, navigate any challenges that arise, celebrate successes, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey.
• Should a youth not be successful in any school/program, Coaches help young people reflect on the experience and work with them to transition to the next opportunity.
• Use an online platform each week to track contacts (CARE4 and Connections), young people’s goals, steps taken towards goals, and other key data.
• Connect young people to peer group support and build positive relationships.
• Ensure young people who are aging out can access and maintain stable, affordable housing and build independent living skills.
• Other related duties assigned as needed to meet the needs in program.

• Bachelor’s degree in humans’ study or related field strongly preferred.
• High School Diploma or GED, required.
• Must have extensive proven experience managing and leading teams and working with at risk or system involved youth.
• Commitment to work from an anti-racist, trauma-informed, strength-based family, and youth development perspective.
• Computer literacy required, with knowledge of Microsoft Suite.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong experience using data to monitor program outcome.

RELATIONAL SKILLS

• Ability to work from a strength-based, trauma-informed, youth development lens.
• A love of working with young people.
• Ability to relate to young people, engage them in conversation, and provide support and encouragement.
• Ability to form collaborative, working relationships with parents/families, school and agency staff.
• Consistent and reliable.
• Ability to think outside the box and employ creative approaches.
• Values and promotes diversity.
• Carries a belief that change is possible.
• Able to maintain healthy boundaries.
• Able to remain calm during moments of tension and stress.

TECHNICAL & PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

• Strong time-management, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to troubleshoot, advocate, and navigate obstacles where there is not always a clear-cut pathway.
• Open to learning how to use and interpret data to inform decision-making.
• Ability to collaborate in team settings and build relationships with external partners.
• Ability to use trauma-informed techniques.
• Flexible and can work independently.
• Willingness to travel within the five boroughs.

Salary Range $50,000 - $58,000

Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, 401k matching)

(35) Hr/Wk 10am - 6pm with the ability to be flexible.