*Muncie Youth Alliance Job Application has closed*
Urban Light Community Development is serving as the administrative and fiscal organization for the Muncie Youth Alliance pilot program. This job posting/application will close on August 19, 2024 at 4pm.
JOB POSTING
The Muncie Youth Alliance is seeking a highly motivated and compassionate individual to join our team as an adult mentor for youth, also known as a Credible Messenger. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in connecting with and providing support to youth aged 10-17 within our community. Credible Messengers act as trusted liaisons, drawing on their own life experiences to engage and empower others.
The Credible Messenger program utilizes a community-asset approach, focused on investing in the human resources of the Muncie, Indiana/Delaware County neighborhoods most impacted by crime and incarceration. The Credible Messenger is to provide individualized mentoring, skill building, and additional support to high-risk youth using a trauma-informed and strength-based approach using cultural awareness. The Credible Messengers will be working closely with youth that have been impacted by exposure to trauma and violence and are in need of positive adult role models, mentorship, and support with social emotional goals. The Credible Messenger will assist in the implementation and coordination of services with the youth. The goal of this program is to reduce youth criminal involvement and overcome barriers to success in family, school, and community networks. Services will be in close coordination with the program supervisor and guided by individualized service plans.
Duties and Responsibilities
Mentoring:
- Mentor, motivate, inspire, and empower clients by establishing a trusting relationship with program participants
- Develop supportive, positive and healthy relationships with each program participant and their family
- Conduct persistent and respectful outreach to engage individuals who may be resistant
- Ensure activities and service hours coincide with needs, goals, and interest of the program participants as defined by the service plan, probation conditions, risk level and Program Supervisor
Community Engagement & Advocacy:
- Under supervision of the Program Supervisor, involve the appropriate community resources and natural supports as determined by individual needs and service plans
- Help individuals and their families repair and strengthen relationships with people, organizations, and systems within their community through advocacy, navigation, modeling, coaching, and negotiating. Promote collaboration with systems and agencies
Cultural Awareness:
- Communicate and collaborate with and understand the backgrounds of diverse clients, organizations, and other community stakeholders
Monitoring & Reporting:
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation
- Understand the situations where reporting is mandated
- Ability to complete basic data entry
Education & Skill Development:
- Attend required meetings and trainings
- Provide services on a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends
- Other related duties as assigned by supervisor
Qualifications
Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Empathy and the ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds
- Cultural competence and an understanding of community dynamics
- Demonstrated reliability and trustworthiness
- Knowledge of social issues impacting the community
- Problem-solving skills and the ability to think on your feet
- Resilience in dealing with challenging situations
- Familiarity with the criminal justice system, community resources, and services
Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent (additional education or training in relevant fields is a plus) *not required but highly encouraged
- Previous experience in peer support, community outreach, or a related field is preferred
- Previous experience with the criminal justice system *candidates with previous misdemeanors or felony convictions will be considered.
- Must have a valid drivers license and reliable transportation
Working Conditions:
- This position is part-time at 20hrs/week
- This position may require flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
- Ability to travel within the community for outreach and engagement
- Access to transportation (driver’s license, car, and insurance)
*End of Muncie Youth Alliance Job Posting
Neighborhood Engagement Programming
The Resident Listening Initiative
From listening to neighbors, Urban Light Community Development will continue or create new initiatives in the three focus areas: The Lighthouse Recovery Home, House Revitalization, and Neighborhood Revitalization. The program is designed to connect neighbors to each other and to their respective neighborhood associations. Ultimately, the program is designed to engage and support natural leaders within the different neighborhoods.
In 2019, 40 neighbors from the Industry, South Central, and Thomas Park Avondale neighborhoods participated in the resident listening initiative. By listening to our neighbors, Urban Light Community Development has been able to partner with Industry neighbors to start a pilot Adopt-A-Lot program where neighbors are given a stipend to care for overgrown, vacant lots.
Principles
- We highly value resident listening
- Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration
- We highly value reciprocity with our neighbors
- The majority of committee representation will be residents
Neighborhood Engagement Committee Makeup
- Residents of Industry, South Central and Thomas Park Avondale neighborhoods
- Key Stakeholder: Open Door, Ivy Tech Community College, Skilled Expertise, etc.