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Family Advocate

Job Description

 

Organizational Summary

 

Union Settlement is an East Harlem based nonprofit organization founded in 1895. For 128 years, Union Settlement has provided critical and innovative programming to children, youth, families, and older adults. As a pioneer of the settlement house movement, Union Settlement continues to meet the needs of the ever-changing East Harlem community through its core programs. Through these programs, New Yorkers gain opportunities, develop skills, and become empowered to pursue and achieve their dreams. 

 

Today, Union Settlement provides services through 33 program sites in approximately 28 locations. Union Settlement’s current programmatic portfolio includes 8 core program areas: Early Childhood Education, Youth Services (including after school programs), Family Services (including the Family Enrichment Center and the Family Childcare Network), the East Harlem Community Partnership, Adult Education, Mental Health Services, Older Adult Centers, and Economic Development.  Union Settlement serves more than 10,000 individuals and nearly 1,000 businesses every year. 

 

Strengthened by a dynamic, diverse, and collaborative workforce of more than 350 employees, Union Settlement also serves as a connector, convener, and advocate for East Harlem and its partners. To learn more about Union Settlement, visit www.unionsettlement.org

 

 

Position: Family Advocate

Department: Family Services

Reports to: Family Enrichment Center Director                          

Hours: Full-time; 10:00am – 6:00pm

Salary: $54,250                                                                                    

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Location: On-site

Positions Reporting to this Role: None

 Family Enrichment Centers (FEC):

Family Enrichment Centers (FEC) are warm and welcoming community gathering places where any family or individual can come for support and information, and to participate in and/or lead activities (called “offerings”). Each FEC is a unique, home-like setting designed with and for community members where they can connect as neighbors, contribute to their community, and support one another. FECs are based on the premise that community members design and drive the FEC’s activities or offerings. The FEC works with families and community members to develop offerings that promote one or more of the family protective factors to increase well-being. The seven protective factors include the five in the Center for the Study of Social Policy’s protective factor framework (review here), as well as economic mobility and relationships in the community.

FECs build on family and community strengths, are guided by the community’s interests, dreams, goals, and desires, and do so without being intrusive or using a case management approach. FECs do not follow a traditional social service delivery approach. They are 100% voluntary, safe spaces that welcome all, and respect each person’s privacy and their ability to decide how, when, and how often to interact with an FEC. 

Position Summary:

The Family Advocate is responsible for contributing to the day-to-day operation of the East Harlem Family Enrichment Center including building connections with other staff, local residents, and community partners; co-designing and delivering relevant programming and activities; providing advocacy and making referrals for participants; and creating a warm and inviting gathering place for families and individuals using the protective factors model to support community resilience.

 

Responsibilities:

  • Convene, support, and collaborate with a team of local parents, subject experts, and other residents to deliver monthly events and activities held at the Family Enrichment Center. 
  • Recruit, welcome, and orient community residents, volunteers, and participants and ensure they have valued members of the Family Enrichment Center team. 
  • Engage groups of local community members of all ages comfortably, and guide them through the co-designed activities and programming at the Family Enrichment Center.
  • 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 offerings of the Family Enrichment Center.
  • Effectively utilize tracking and reporting mechanisms and accurately enter data and run reports in agency databases as needed to obtain program-level data, compiling statistical or written reports for agency and external stakeholders.
  • Engage members and manage enrollment and attendance at offerings and events.
  • Care for and attend to the physical space of the Family Enrichment Center program to ensure it is safe, welcoming, organized, and appealing to participants and community members.
  • Manage inventory, ordering, and purchasing responsibilities to ensure food and supplies are stocked for offerings.
  • Work in a fast-paced environment on multiple projects coinciding.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of professional experience; or High School diploma and five (5) years of professional experience in community-driven-programs working directly with children, youth and families. 
  • Deep understanding of the East Harlem Community. 
  • Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. 
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to warmly connect with and engage children, youth, and adults individually and in groups.
  • 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.

 

CO R E CO M P E T E N C IE S

 

  • Leading Others: Creates a sense of urgency throughout the organization on the importance of achieving outcomes. Inspires, influences, and enables team members to reach their goals
  • Facilitating Change: Approaches challenges with creativity and flexibility. Demonstrates analytical thinking. Guides change to meet Union Settlement’s goals.
  • Managing Performance: Evaluates and revises goals semi-annually with the team. Provides consistent supervision and documents performance highlights and concerns
  • Applying and Developing Expertise: Embraces and leads the team to achieve milestones. Seeks and supports professional development opportunities for team members. Manages finances and budgets effectively
  • Communicating and Collaborating: Listens well and actively engages with others with honesty and integrity and holds team accountable to the same standard

 

Union Settlement’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment

 

Union Settlement is an equal opportunity employer. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.