Volunteer Position: Young Adults Peer Mentor

Overview

Volunteer Position:
Young Adults Peer Mentor

The Young Adults Peer Mentor plays a vital role in providing support and guidance to homeless street youth and young adult individuals facing various challenges. This position requires a compassionate and empathetic individual who can effectively connect with and assist youth in navigating their struggles. The Young Adults Peer Mentor will serve as a mentor, advocate, and role model, helping young individuals develop resilience and improve their overall well-being.

The goal of the Youth Peer Program is to engage and empower young adults to work through challenges they may face living with a disability, mental health, or substance abuse disorder. Young Adults Peer Mentor can be provided to youth and young adults up to 26 years of age, depending on the individual’s developmental and life stage needs. Young Adults Peer Mentors are provided one-on-one by trained Youth Peer Support Specialists in a home or a community setting.

Per the goals and plan of service, Young Adults Peer Mentors promote hope and acceptance by sharing their story of lived experiences to reduce stigma and increase the youth s voice and ownership of services.

• Provide peer support to youth through active listening, empathy, and understanding.
• Promote mental health awareness and provide education on coping mechanisms.
• Maintain accurate records of client interactions and progress.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care for youth.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Adhere to ethical guidelines and maintain strict confidentiality.

• A deep understanding of the challenges faced by young individuals.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to establish rapport with diverse individuals from various backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain professional boundaries while building meaningful relationships with clients.
• Evidence of good judgment, decision-making skills, and problem-solving abilities.
• Familiarity with community resources available for young individuals in need of support.
• A commitment to continuous learning and personal growth in the field of youth counseling.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required.

• Attention to and support of medical issues, student educational needs, casework, clinical appointments, etc.
• Ensures a high standard of sanitary conditions throughout the house, including heavy cleaning and laundry.
• Manages persons  supported behavior utilizing the principles of the Integrated Social Parental Approach Model to teach young people to make positive, lasting changes in their behavior.
• Participates in the planning and execution of educational, recreational, and personal enrichment activities.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based and/or youth development and trauma-informed perspective.
• Intervenes during emergencies or altercations in order to ensure the safety of all youth.