Plus Credible Messenger Mentor (Per-Diem Brooklyn) - Rising Ground, Inc

Overview

Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 25,000 individuals. We do this through 50 programs in 70 locations throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity shows not just through our work with supported persons, but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve.

The Plus Mentoring program is designed to help juvenile clients make safe decisions and avoid further involvement in the juvenile justice system. The Plus Mentoring team works along with the Department of Probation to provide an alternative to detention group program for high risk youth, ages 13-18 in Brooklyn, and in the Bronx. 

The Plus Mentoring team is a group-based mentoring program that helps young adults transform the attitudes and behaviors that led to their involvement with the criminal justice system by developing positive and appropriate relationships and supporting them in making safe decisions in the community. The team is made up of a full-time Program Coordinator and 3 part-time Credible Messenger Mentors. Youth will come together twice weekly as a cohort of up to 16 youth, ages 13-18, with the Plus Mentoring team supporting them. The mentors will utilize the Powersource Curriculum and ROCA Rewire CBT to support the youth to examine their feelings, evaluate their own behaviors and develop strategies for change. Group will also be used for group builders, educational activities, anger reduction strategies, recreational outings, group-based community service activities, and family events to name a few. Youth will also meet with mentors and Program Coordinator on an ad hoc basis throughout the week for one-on-one mentoring as well as for support with case management services.

Responsibilities

• Participate in two therapeutic groups per week in Brooklyn on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM. During this time, the mentors will greet the group participants, prepare for dinner, facilitate group, clean up and process the group/individual progress. Mentors will be available during these hours, and will be available outside of group hours to provide crisis intervention or additional mentoring support to youth, by phone and in person, as needed, for up to 8 hours total per week.
• Participate in as many group team-building and family engagement activities as possible, such as recreational outings, community-service activities, etc. The mentors will be included on a rotating on-call list to provide 24 hours/7days a week support for youth. 
• Participate in all Juvenile Justice and Credible Messenger Mentor-related training.
• Participate in individual supervision and treatment team meetings to review youth’s progress/challenges and service plan goals.
• Collaborate and communicate with the Plus team members regarding case planning services and safety/risk concerns.
• Work in partnership with Probation Officers, schools and other community-based organizations to ensure the safety of the youth and to follow through with their participation in court-mandated services.
• Model reliable, supportive and positive relationships to help youth navigate challenges and achieve their goals. Build and maintain supportive relationships with the youth that focus on improving problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Model professionalism and respectful behavior in both the community and in group.

Work Environment: Groups will be facilitated at the Rising Ground office located at 151 Lawrence Street 5th Floor, Brooklyn NY.  On occasion, the mentors will be required to travel, to navigate NYC roads/public transportation system and complete home and school visits, and visits to other service providers’ offices (i.e. Court, Probation, resource center, pro-social activity, etc.).

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a per-diem position involving 6-8 hours per week. The mentors that are expected to participate in the Brooklyn groups are to be present every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM. 

Additional hours will fluctuate to meet the needs of the team and clients. As a team, we are available to clients 24/7/365 and can respond to crises that may emerge. The per diem mentors might be called upon to respond to a crisis/need of a youth and need to be flexible/available to meet the needs of the group members.

Travel: The Plus team provides services to youth and families who reside in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Typically, the mentors will be positioned at the group site. If field work, home visits or school visits need to be conducted, the mentors will provide their own transportation and work-related travel expenses will be reimbursed. 

Qualifications

• High School/equivalent diploma is required.
• Experience with group facilitation and experience working with adolescents.
• History of criminal/juvenile justice involvement and familiarity with the Brooklyn or the Bronx community is preferred. 
• Bilingual Spanish/English speaking is a plus.
• Familiarity with Brooklyn or the Bronx and knowledgeable about the major culture groups within the neighborhoods served.
• Willingness and flexibility to work with youth/families in their own homes and in the community.
• Strong interpersonal/communication skills.
• Ability to work with respect for cultural diversity.
• Commitment to empowering youth and families to solve their own problems.
• Belief in the capacity of people to grow and change.
• Ability to intervene decisively, when necessary, to protect youth and family members.
• Must be able to work cooperatively and collaboratively with the team.

$22/Per Hour

EOE