Youth Leadership and Advocacy Coordinator

Children’s Defense Fund – New York

Mission of Children's Defense Fund:

The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind^® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor children, children of color and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investments before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown.

CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by individual donations, foundation, corporate and government grants.

CDF-New York

CDF-NY serves as a resource and partner for children, families and organizations throughout the tristate area and is recognized as an authority in the endeavor to protect children and strengthen families. CDF-NY’s unique approach to improving conditions for children by combining research, public education, policy development, community organizing and advocacy activities has made it an innovative and tireless leader for New York’s children since 1992.

Job Responsibilities: The Youth Leadership and Advocacy Coordinator will be involved in a wide variety of outreach projects to support the visibility and success of CDF’s programs and policy initiatives in New York. The Coordinator will operate as part of a dynamic team, collaborating with CDF-NY’s other Youth Leadership and Advocacy Coordinator and reporting to the Executive Director. CDF currently reaches high school and college-age students who have proven their greater interests of community engagement and advocacy as servant leaders in their everyday lives. An ideal candidate will assist in providing college-readiness and youth leadership skills to Beat the Odds® (BTO) Scholars while supporting and enhancing CDF-NY’s platform for BTO alumni engagement. In addition, this position will, in concert with our national office, provide support to our summer Freedom Schools.

Specific job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Youth Leadership Support:

• Support the BTO program outreach to current scholars or alumni through:
• • Assisting with workshop logistics and preparation for cultural and educational activities for BTO scholars
  • Providing 1-1 support for scholars and/or alumni
  • Assisting in the BTO program application process
  • Increase overall logistical and programming support for Program & Youth Leadership Development – including the Beat the Odds Scholarship Program and Freedom Schools
  • Amplify BTO Alumni Engagement and Programming and structure the engagement platform to serve as a model that has potential to be utilized as the program continues.
  • Assist with other program activities, including Freedom Schools and special events, as needed

Advocacy & Outreach Support:

• Researching issues related to CDF-NY’s policy priorities – i.e. juvenile justice, education, child health and early childhood
• Organizing advocacy events for BTO Scholars and Alumni that teach attendees how to engage as servant-leaders in advocating for their own lives and those within their community
• Maintaining relationships and regular contact with a network of social service and legal assistance providers to ensure services are available to meet the needs of BTO Scholars
• Engaging Beat the Odds program participants in CDF-NY’s policy priorities
• Generating/ sharing social media content regularly to build meaningful connections for CDF-NY and moderating the Beat the Odds social media account(s)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with two years of experience in a related field
• Must be culturally competent and have experience working with youth from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
• Strong leadership skills, motivation and ability to take initiative, yet also work independently
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills
• Ability to organize workflow, keep orderly files and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Willingness to communicate with program alumni and organize alumni events on a regular basis

Hours: Full-Time: 35hrs / week.

To apply submit the following documents:

• Resume
• A cover letter describing your interest in the position and CDF-NY
• A brief writing sample (no longer than 5 pages)

The Children’s Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer