Fair Futures is a youth-led advocacy movement and a youth-centered model that supports young people who are system-involved to achieve their potential. As a result of the advocacy efforts led by the Fair Futures Youth Advisory Board (YAB), New York City became the first in the nation to secure public funding for all young people in foster care from age 11 to 26. The Fair Futures model has also expanded to the juvenile justice sector in NYC across Close to Home and MAAP.
The Center for Fair Futures Inc. was launched with two core goals - to support the youth-led advocacy work/YAB and the implementation of the Fair Futures model across the NYC child welfare agencies and juvenile justice sector. The Fair Futures model is a comprehensive program designed to help young people have access to individualized supports they need to achieve their potential, from 6 grade through age 26. This includes a middle school program that prepares students for success in high school and a coaching program where young people ages 14+ are matched with a full-time, professionally trained Coach. The overall goals of the Fair Futures program are tohelp young people:
- Build trusting relationships and a network of positive adult and peer supports;
- Prepare for and graduate from high school;
- Connect to and persist in post-secondary settings;
- Engage in career exploration and career development experiences in line with their interests to help them eventually navigate onto a living wage career pathway;
- Access and maintain stable, affordable housing if they are exiting foster care and gain independent living and life skills.
The Center for Fair Futures also serves as advocates for young people who are system-involved (foster care and juvenile justice). These efforts for young people who are system-involved in foster care, are currently led by our Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Coordinator and the Youth Advisory Board. Fair Futures was successful in raising $30 million from the City, largely due to the strong voices of the young people on the Center for Fair Futures YAB. As a result, all 25 foster care agencies have implemented the Fair Futures model.
The Center for Fair Futures is currently seeking a Youth Advisory Board Coordinator to continue our advocacy efforts within the juvenile justice sector. The YAB Coordinator will recruit, support, and develop the YAB members who have been system-involved by the justice system, to develop an advocacy agenda and coordinate/plan advocacy efforts in close partnership with the Fair Futures Advocacy leads.
Key tasks and responsibilities for the Youth Advisory Board Coordinator include but are not limited to:
- Provide oversight and guidance to the Center for Fair Futures’ Youth Advisory Board. This includes modeling pro-social behavior and using a strength-based, trauma-informed, youth development approach to working with young people at all times;
- Support the Youth Advisory Board in identifying advocacy topics that the members feel strongly about, including but not limited to challenges related to housing, academic, and career pathways for young people who have been impacted by the justice system;
- Serve as Co-Chair on the Center for Fair Futures’ Advocacy Committee, which meets biweekly, and collaborate closely with the Committee regarding advocacy strategy and planning for events and press opportunities (rallies, meetings with City and State officials, etc.);
- Coordinate all youth advocacy activities and recruit young people to participate in these opportunities; support them to ensure they are prepared, appropriately dressed, and arrive on time;
- Form relationship and participate in meetings with City and State officials;
- Lead monthly YAB meetings and create an agenda for each meeting;
- Recruit new youth board members across Close to Home and MAAP agencies and organize on-boarding;
- Organize regular events/activities, in line with the interests of the members;
- Visit Close to Home and MAAP agencies across NYC; build relationships with Fair Futures staff; assist with youth engagement, when requested (this could include presenting to a group of youth on Fair Futures, visiting LSP and NSP, etc.);
- Maintain up-to-date contact lists of all members and participation in events;
- Serve on and work closely with the Center for Fair Futures Advisory Committee, which meets Quarterly.
Key Qualifications :
- At least 1 year of working with system-involved young people and/or in youth development;
- Post-secondary experience - Associates, Bachelors, or another post-secondary credential;
- Requires knowledge of the juvenile justice system;
- Former experience within the juvenile justice system is encouraged but not required;
- Ability to engage young people and work from a strength-based, trauma-informed lens;
- Strong leadership and communication skills;
- Strong organizational and administrative skills;
- Ability to coordinate with a range of stakeholders and serve as the youth voice of Fair Futures;
- Motivated self-starter who can follow directions but also create and lead new initiatives.
Compensation and time limit:
The Center for Fair Futures Youth Advisory Board Coordinator would be a full-time employee of the Center for Fair Futures. The salary is $65,000 plus benefits. The position is limited to a two year term
How To Apply To apply for this position, please submit a complete application package including:
1. Resume
2. A cover letter outlining how your skills and qualifications meet the position requirements
3. Three references with current contact information
Resumes submitted without a cover letter and references will not be reviewed.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Patient demographics:
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Evenings as needed
- Monday to Friday
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Ability to Commute:
- New York, NY 10004 (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in New York, NY 10004