Family Advocate

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.

The Family Enrichment Center (FEC) is a warm and welcoming community gathering place in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. It is a space where any member of the community can come for support, information and to participate in or lead activities (called “offerings). The FEC is a home-like setting, which reflects the community, and offers programming and resources that promote family well-being and empowerment. In partnership with FEC staff, families will drive the planning, development, and sustainable co-ownership of the centers. Families who participate in the programming will be encouraged to share their expertise by volunteering at the center and given meaningful opportunities to engage with neighbors and peers. The goal of the FEC is to strengthen families’ protective factors and build community connections, capacity and resilience and increase overall wellbeing.

The focus of this position is to support and expand the work of the Family Advocate in building connections with FEC Staff, community partners, and stakeholders. An engaging-empathetic communication style based on natural warmth and enthusiasm are the keys to achieving the goals of this job. The FEC Family Advocate is responsible for contributing to the day-to-day operation of the FEC including, co-designing and delivering programming, providing concrete advocacy for members, making referrals and creating a warm and welcoming gathering place. TheFamily Advocatewill welcome newcomers, take active steps to recruit volunteers and ensure that they are valued members of the team. A key part of the Family Advocate’s job is to convene, support, and collaborate with a team of local parents to deliver monthly events (training will be provided).

• Convene, support, and collaborate with a team of local parents, subject experts, and other residents to deliver monthly events and activities held at East Flatbush FEC.
• Recruit, welcome, and orient community residents, volunteers, and participants and ensure they are valued members of the East Flatbush FEC team.
• Engage groups of local community members of all ages in a comfortable manner and guide them through the co-designed activities and offerings of the East Flatbush FEC
• Provide advocacy, outreach, and referrals to connect participants to service providers and other programs that have resources to offer.
• Promote cooperation between participants and engage the buy-in and commitment of community stakeholders in the activities of the East Flatbush FEC
• Effectively utilize tracking and reporting mechanisms and accurately enter data and run reports in the East Flatbush FEC portal and other agency databases as needed to obtain program-level data, compiling statistical or written reports for agency and external stakeholders.
• Manage the East Flatbush FEC website to communicate with and engage members regarding offerings and activities and seasonal events.
• Work in a fast-paced environment on multiple projects occurring simultaneously.
• Successfully engage and positively impact individuals and groups from a diverse community in a warm, outgoing manner
• Skilled at working in a fast-paced environment on multiple projects occurring simultaneously
• Solution-focused and skilled at proactively establishing relationships and new groups.
• Able to involve others in decision-making processes, promote cooperation and possess a strong commitment to results and positive impact
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree with three (3) years of professional experience;
• OR a high school diploma with five (5) years of professional experience in community-driven-programs working directly with children, youth, and families.
• Lived and/or worked experience in the East Flatbush community.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to connect with and engage children, youth and families.
• Experience inputting data, running data driven reports and using the information to make programmatic decisions.
• Experience caring for children (as a parent, guardian, relative, neighbor, or babysitter) preferred.
• Available to work occasional evenings or weekends as needed
• Must have a commitment to work from a trauma-informed, strength-based, youth and family development perspective.

Preferred:

• Bilingual (Creole/Spanish/English).

35/hrs a week

Benefit package ( Medical, Vision, Dental, PTO, 401k matching)

$52,000/Annually