Group Mentoring Program Coordinator

Why Work For Simpson?

Our Mission is to house, support and advocate for people experiencing homelessness. We believe that everybody has the right to safe and affordable housing; we strive to strive to create a collaborative community with the individuals we serve, within Simpson, and with the greater community; and we advocate against the injustices of society that cause homelessness and poverty.

Simpson Housing Services Provides an Excellent Benefits Package to All Full-time Employees, Including:

• Generous PTO and 11 Additional Paid Holidays
• Health Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts and an HSA match
• Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Up to 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Free Annual Minnesota State Park Pass or Wellness Stipend
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Dental Coverage and Vision Discount Plan
• An Incredible Culture that Encourages Career Growth and Support!

Summary

This position partners with young people and their families to interrupt generational cycles of poverty and homelessness through relationship-based youth development programming.  This position is part of the Family and Youth Programs Department at Simpson Housing Services. The goals of the program are to partner with families to locate and retain stable housing, increase economic resources, and simultaneously address the needs of parents and children to improve outcomes for the whole family.

Simpson staff are expected to actively work toward an anti-racist culture at Simpson Housing Services and within the broader community.

Responsibilities

Coordinate a Group Mentoring Program for young people ages 12-18:

• Assist with recruitment, screening, and training of volunteer mentors.
• Solicit referrals and complete intakes for parents and mentees.
• Plan and facilitate a minimum of two Group Mentoring sessions per month.
• Provide ongoing supervision of matches which includes, but is not limited to, a minimum of one individual contact with each young person, parent, and volunteer in the program per month.
• Plan and attend monthly outings or trainings for mentors and mentees.
• Plan and execute a year-end celebration.

Provide support for students to reach program goals:

• Design and implement activities and support to assist each student in reaching the goals for the Group Mentoring Program:

• • Young people will be more likely to graduate high school and pursue post-secondary education or career opportunities.
  • Young people will be more likely to actively participate in civic and community life.
  • Young people will engage in fewer high-risk behaviors.
  • Youth people will be less likely to experience homelessness as adults.
  • Young people will be better equipped to shape the systems that impact their lives.

Provide educational advocacy services to children and families:

• Communicate with parents and provide school advocacy, establish relationships with relevant school staff, assisting to build relationships between the parents and school staff.
• Participate in parent/teacher conferences, IEP meetings as appropriate.
• Monitor attendance and develop support plans for families with less than 95% attendance.
• Employee may maintain a small case load of education support families to bring direct service hours to a minimum of 15/week.

Work as part of an effective team to meet goals of program:

• Demonstrate the ability to work within a team setting, with an emphasis on leadership,

self-initiative, patience, creativity, maturity and tact.

• Communicate and coordinate services with all team members. Attend regular team meetings, other required meetings.
• Collaborate with Early Childhood and Family Support Specialists
• Sort and distribute in-kind donations.

Complete accurate and thorough documentation and recordkeeping in a timely manner:

• Maintain individual electronic ClientTrack files, including timely detailed case notes of each interaction.
• Maintain volunteer files and log hours using Volunteer Hub.
• Maintain accurate records including time sheets, credit card statements, client expenses and mileage reimbursement.
• Participate with funding reports, grant writing and site visits.
• Other duties as assigned.

Provide positive representation of SHS through public relations and networking:

• Interpret and promote the program to constituents, and community organizations.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff, volunteers, and participants.
• Network with providers of similar services.
• Participate in professional meetings, workshops, and staff meetings.

Demonstrate essential knowledge, abilities and skills:

• Ability to work very well independently, with excellent skills in teamwork and collaboration
• Ability to be flexible and manage time
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction/Housing First Model and commitment to that model
• Commitment to working toward an anti-racist culture both within Simpson Housing Services and the broader community.
• Ability to communicate respectfully, positively and professionally with participants, providers, family members and others who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion
• Ability to perform non-traditional tasks while meeting participant needs
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Adhere to a standard framework of boundaries in all interactions with participants, volunteers, staff and public
• Possess strong computer skills, with experience in Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrate ability to learn and use computer database for client records.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This position handles a caseload of 15-30 young people between ages 12 and 18, depending on the intensity of services required.   Families will be in a mixture of site-based and scattered-site housing in Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, and Carver counties. This position works with families who are referred through Hennepin County Coordinated Entry.  Participant populations may include those experiencing mental or chemical health issues, criminal histories, domestic violence, etc. Families are expected to engage with services and work towards self-sufficiency.

Employee may provide back up for other team members during periods of absence or during times of increased workloads.

Required Qualifications

Employee must share in Simpson Housing Services Values:

• We believe that everybody has the right to safe and affordable housing.
• We celebrate and embrace the uniqueness and dignity of every person.
• We encourage people to draw upon their strengths and promote the power of self-advocacy.
• We advocate against the injustices of society that cause homelessness and poverty.
• We strive to create a collaborative community with the individuals we serve, within Simpson, and with the greater community.

Our Commitment to Advancing Racial Equity

We hold steadfast to our values, embracing the uniqueness and dignity of each person and advocating against the injustices of society. Together, we are committed to working for racial equity and ending homelessness.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Youth Development, or Human Services, or relevant experience is required.
• Driver’s License and access to a safe, reliable and insured vehicle
• Ability to meet documentation expectations
• Must share in Simpson’s values and program philosophy

Desired:

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in youth work and/or program coordination.
• Experience working, volunteering or interning with low-income families, diverse populations, and people experiencing homelessness.
• Lived experience with homelessness.
• Knowledge of mental health, chemical dependency, physical or sexual abuse.
• Experience working with middle and/or high-school students.