Peer Navigator

## Description

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| **Department** | Ali’s Place | **Reports To** | Director of Support Services | **Education Requirement** | High School or High School Equivalent |

| **FLSA** | Non-Exempt | **Salary** | $22- $25 hour | **Schedule** | 35 Hours/ Week: Sunday- Thursday or Tuesday to Saturday |

**ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW**

The Ali Forney Center (AFC) is dedicated to protecting LGBTQ+ youth from the harms of homelessness and empowering them with the tools needed to live independently. Founded in 2002, AFC provides comprehensive services, including housing, healthcare, and educational support to over 2,000 youth annually. AFC's mission is to create an affirming and supportive environment where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive.

**POSITION OVERVIEW**

The Peer Navigator plays a crucial role in supporting LGBTQ+ youth and young adults (16-25) navigating the Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) continuum. This position involves offering mentorship, facilitating programming, advocating, and connecting youth with vital resources. Peer Navigators are instrumental in fostering trust, empowering youth to voice their opinions and make choices, and accompanying young people throughout their personal journeys. Ultimately, they aim to promote long-term stability by serving as a bridge between youth, staff, community, and various service systems. **Applicants must be 18-30 years of age for this role.**

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**

**Engagement, Relationship-Building & Mentorship**

• Engage Youth and Young Adults (YYA) at AFC’s Drop-In Center and through outreach activities, support access to services, and sustain youth participation in programs.
• Conduct peer mentorship sessions both in a one-one and group setting that can focus on goal setting and attainment, emotional self-regulation skills, housing readiness, vocational and educational skills, gender affirming care, and navigating service systems.
• Facilitate and co-create peer-led programming, groups, and wellness activities that reflect youth voice and needs.
• Collaborate with AFC’s Youth Leadership and Advocacy Program and Youth Advisory Board to elevate youth leadership and decision-making.
• Support facilitation of AFC’s Midtown Council sessions

**Systems Navigation & Advocacy**

• Assist youth in accessing resources in the NYC Area
• Support the accompaniment of youth to appointments
• Participate in care coordination and treatment planning meetings
• Empower youth to develop self-advocacy skills, encouraging them to become active and informed participants in their RHY program journey and beyond.
• Help identify gaps in services and advocate for enhanced programming and resources that are based on youth feedback.

**Additional Responsibilities**

• Participate in virtual and in-person DYCD peer meetings.
• Maintain documentation, including session notes, attendance logs, and referral logs, in accordance with agency and DYCD RHY program guidelines.
• Participate in staff trainings, weekly team meetings, and regular supervision.

## Qualifications

**QUALIFICATIONS**

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| **Competencies** **1. Youth Engagement & Relationship Building** - Ability to establish trust and rapport with LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. - Skilled in fostering safe, inclusive, and affirming environments. - Demonstrates empathy, active listening, and respect for youth voice. **2. Mentorship & Empowerment** - Guides youth through goal-setting, problem-solving, and self-advocacy. - Encourages self-determination and independent decision-making. - Supports personal development in areas such as housing readiness, education, employment, and wellness. **3. Advocacy & Systems Navigation** - Knowledge of local resources, services, and systems (housing, healthcare, education, workforce). - Advocates for youth needs and rights at individual and systemic levels. - Accompanies youth to appointments and helps them build confidence in navigating services independently. **4. Peer Leadership & Program Facilitation** - Co-creates and facilitates youth-centered groups, programming, and activities. - Collaborates with Youth Leadership and Advocacy Program and Youth Advisory Board to amplify youth perspectives. - Demonstrates comfort with public speaking and group facilitation. **5. Professional Growth & Accountability** - Committed to obtaining and maintaining the Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) Credential. - Engages in supervision, feedback, and reflective practice. - Demonstrates reliability, initiative, and accountability in meeting responsibilities. | **Qualifications & Skills** - Lived experience of unaccompanied homelessness or housing instability as a youth (ages - 16–24). - High School diploma or equivalent required - Must be committed to obtaining the Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) Credential within 6 months of hire. |