A Youth Counselor or Worker works with young people, primarily ages 13-18, to provide mentoring and support for dealing with problems. Works in a school or community-based program; may assist with referrals from parole or probation offices. Collaborates with teachers, family members, social workers and health care professionals to help young people facing challenges or crises.
Empower House provides transformative community health services, youth development programs, and advocacy opportunities that empower women and girls of color. We envision a world where all women and girls are empowered to transform themselves, their families and their communities. The ideal candidate for this position can share their passion for grassroots community transformation and connect their professional and volunteer experiences to our mission. The candidate should have a clear understanding of the Promotora Model and be familiar with Restorative and Transformative Justice. Our organizational philosophy is based on understanding the implications of the intersections of sexism, racism, and other forms of oppression for women and girls. Women, people of color, LGBTQ and gender non-binary individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Empower House is expanding its youth development programming to include afterschool services directly on school campuses, outside of regular school hours. These programs are designed to support students—particularly girls—through clubs and empowerment workshops that focus on social-emotional learning (SEL), goal setting, and leadership. Using tools such as the Holistic Student Assessment (HSA), staff will help students develop individualized goals, facilitate weekly circles, build skills in non-violent communication, and implement enrichment activities rooted in SEL and restorative practices. Programming will be delivered Monday through Friday on partner campuses afterschool. Empower House partners with San Antonio ISD, Southside ISD, East Central ISD, as well as other local ISDs and charter schools, to meet students where they are and provide consistent, community-based support.
Responsibilities:
Deliver daily afterschool programming on school campuses using approved Empower Youth materials. Create a safe, supportive environment for youth. Collaborate with campus staff and Empower Youth team to plan, implement, and lead engaging program activities. Administer holistic student assessments to identify participants' strengths, needs, goals, and progress. Mentor participating students in social-emotional skill-building, goal setting, and non-violent communication. Facilitate structured conversations and circles of support for youth and families. Lead youth development workshops grounded in the six elements of social justice. Provide direct assistance and individualized support to students and families within the scope of the role. Connect students and their families to Empower House Community Health Workers (CHWs) when additional support, resource navigation, referrals, or ongoing care coordination is needed. Organize quarterly service-learning opportunities to promote civic engagement and leadership. Maintain and update a calendar of plans and events for youth development activities. Recruitment and outreach for the program. Maintain communication with parents, guardians, and caregivers. Keep accurate, timely data on participants within Salesforce (EMPOWER HOUSE's internal database). Support planning and facilitation of Empower House's Spring Break and Summer Camps held at the East Side Empower Youth Center at Lockwood Park. This position requires additional work hours during camp weeks, special events, and other program activities as needed. Participates in all program and organizational staff meetings and team development workshops. Other duties as assigned.
Communication:
Upholds the Empower House values of Solidarity, Empathy, Collaboration and Creativity. Demonstrates a willingness to cooperate and add to a positive team dynamic Ability to speak publicly and facilitate various activities Awareness of how systemic oppression affects our communities and ability to advocate for youth
Qualifications:
High school diploma or equivalent with relevant experience; At least 2 years of experience in youth development and/or education, preferably in school or community settings Strong communication, both verbal and written, with excellent attention to detail Skilled in group facilitation and building collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders Skilled in creating, reviewing, and delivering lesson plans and engaging youth programming Commitment to social justice, youth development, and restorative practices Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred Proficient with computer applications Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with experience managing projects and meeting deadlines Proven ability to set and achieve goals proactively Comfortable working in a flexible, fast-paced, and growth-oriented environment Empower House provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Empower House will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Pay:
$17.00 per hour
Benefits:
Life insurance Mileage reimbursement Paid time off Professional development assistance
