Ypsilanti Youth Organizer

Student Advocacy Center of Michigan, a social justice education advocacy organization, is seeking a knowledgeable Youth Organizer who is passionate about working with youth in efforts to create change who reside in Ypsilanti or Washtenaw County. We are seeking an individual that is committed to elevating youth voice, collaborating with schools and other community agencies, promoting school stability and success for youth who may be marginalized in the education system. This position will engage in important work in challenging school practices (including virtual school and administrative transfers) that lead to juvenile justice involvement. We want to listen to students' voices, challenge the harmful practices in individual cases, craft specific asks with students and activate our networks to show up and demand change at board meetings and with the state legislature.

Title:Youth Organizer

Status: Full-time (37.5 hours per week, with some weekends required)

Classified: Exempt

Compensation: Starting salary is based on experience and degree obtained either at $38,000 or $43,000, or $47,000.

Benefits: Health insurance or health insurance stipend, mileage reimbursement, vacation, generous holiday pay, sick leave, cell phone stipend, life insurance, retirement benefit after 90 days of service, flexible schedule, ability to work from home.

Location: Ypsilanti Office

***** To apply, submit a resume and/or cover letter that discusses the following:

- Ways you build rapport with youth.

- What youth organizing means to you

- Steps you would take to engage youth in organizing work?

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• 1 year experience in organizing
• Experience working with youth
• Knowledge of education policy issues, such as the school-to-prison-pipeline, school funding, etc.
• Knowledge of the Ypsilanti community
• Serve as a positive role model to students, staff, and parents.
• Ability to communicate and maintain trusting relationships with communities, partners and other educational authorities
• Excellent interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills
• Highly organized, detail oriented, flexible and able to build strong relationships
• Experience with Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Canva, Social Media?
• Background check clearance, including ICHAT, national and state sex offender registry and Central Registry clearance
• A valid Michigan driver’s license, reliable vehicle, driver’s record clearance and proof of insurance that meets SAC’s underwriting criteria

Scope of services:

• Assist with recruitment of youth from current and past SAC youth, working with SAC staff, to attend group meetings
• Assist with recruitment of non-SAC youth, working with SAC youth, community partners, and schools.
• Build relationships with current and past SAC youth, and other youth of color impacted by school pushout and school funding inequities.
• Recruit and support youth facilitators
• Work collaboratively with schools and community partners.
• Serve as an advocate and liaison to other adults when needed, particularly advocating for authentic youth decision-making processes.
• Participate in Michigan Education Justice Coalition monthly calls.
• Participate in the Michigan Education Justice Coalition Youth Organizing Collective.
• Conduct outreach to youth participants throughout the week to support academic and social needs, as well provide support in organizing tasks.
• Ask lots of questions to encourage youth to process and develop their own ideas.
• Support youth to reflect on their work, consider campaign goals and ways to improve.
• Work with youth to assess and plan leadership training needs.
• Conduct home visits as needed and provide transportation.
• Help youth connect in meaningful ways to youth in other chapters.
• Engage youth in safe meeting spaces that meet their needs (i.e. homework help), introduces them to organizing ideas, engages them in existing campaigns and organizes them to plan and implement their own campaigns.
• Help to nurture a climate of acceptance and safety in meetings.
• Provide support to youth facilitators by spending time before meetings to set up agendas and meeting plans.
• Work with youth facilitators to arrange and plan guest speakers, field trips, etc.
• Help develop structures to support effective group processing, planning and implementation.
• Provide and/or facilitate regular trainings to youth on the new Jim Crow, the school-to-prison pipeline, Rethink Discipline laws, school funding, right to read, restorative practices, organizing techniques, storytelling, Michigan Education Justice Coalition, Dignity In Schools initiatives, and federal, state and local school policy processes.
• Work with youth to identify training topics.
• Connect youth to our existing campaigns with Michigan Education Justice Coalition, and Dignity In Schools Campaign.
• Support youth and SAC staff in identifying and implementing student-led and student-driven organizing campaigns
• Connect with mentors, mentor organizers, and advocates to craft strategic ways to connect their youth with campaigns and organizing work, even if they don’t attend group meetings.
• Keep careful documentation, with youth assistance, on attendance, meeting content (agendas) and progress towards campaign goals, emergency contact information, permission to transport forms, etc.
• Work with interns and mentor organizers to secure meeting snacks and supplies.
• Assist with grant reporting requirements in collaboration with the direct supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Personal Responsibilities:

• Actively support the Student Advocacy Center’s mission, vision, values and principles of practice.
• Uphold and ensure appropriate implementation of all agency policies and procedures.
• Maintain utmost confidentiality and professionalism.
• Maintain excellent work attendance.
• Be willing to engage in learning and current practices of the organizations Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression work.

NOTE:

SAC seeks to build workplaces, schools and communities that cultivate a deep sense of belonging for all, particularly for people of color, gender-nonconforming people, people with different abilities, returning citizens, undocumented citizens, and others who experience hate and rejection in our world.

SAC believes our common humanity unites us. We recognize how deeply we are all hurt by racism, homophobia, xenophobia, ableism and other violent practices. Those of us with multiple levels of privilege and those most impacted by oppression must be equally invested in creating and facilitating a community that is equitable, human-centered and just. Our liberation is bound together.

SAC celebrates interconnection and diversity. We have a deep commitment to cultural humility and anti-oppressive action. We expressly prohibit discrimination in regard to race, color, national origin, age, familial status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, veteran status, height, weight, associational preference, or genetic information.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person