Children and Youth Gender-Based Violence Community Advocate

Expectations of your role:

• Family and Youth Advocacy
• Provide culturally relevant advocacy with trauma informed approach to the children and youth (ages 6+) of survivors of gender-based violence, fleeing imminent danger.
• Conduct initial intakes to evaluate the needs of survivors and children/youth.
• Offer crisis intervention, grounding, and coping strategies in shelter, community, school, and office-based settings.
• Serve as a positive role model for children and youth by demonstrating healthy communication, boundaries, problem-solving, and respectful relationships, while encouraging self-esteem, resilience, and personal growth.
• Work alongside YWCA’s Housing Advocates to ensure children have access to available and appropriate youth services (i.e., high school personnel, McKinney Vento and Department of Children Youth and families (DCYF) and Child Protective Services (CPS) counseling and community -based youth programs)
• Support parents and youth in learning strategies for staying safe and developing individualized, age-appropriate safety plans related to home, school, online spaces, and relationships.
• Provide education to children and youth on healthy relationships, boundaries, consent, and personal safety.
• Partner with GBVSS Housing Advocates to identify families and address the needs of children.
• Implement YWCA GBVSS 8-week children/youths’ curriculum; that assists in the healing process.
• Develop and maintain an ongoing network of resources for children with coordinated referrals to link children and families.
• Attend DCYF and CPS case meetings for relevant families.
• Provide wrap around services not limited to emergency basic needs, direct resources to increase economic self-sufficiency, promote health, mental wellness, etc.
• Co-facilitate parenting classes though independent contracted licensed clinician.
• Maintain accurate and confidential client files/spreadsheet, complete HMIS, timely data collection and monthly reporting including narrative writing. 
 
• Community and School Outreach 
• Manage relationships for the McKinney-Vento liaison program with select Public Schools  
• Support relocated families with new student school enrollment support.
• Facilitate workshops and activities that engage Black/African American and youth of color in developing a deeper understanding of the interplay between race, gender, and violence.
• Facilitate and hold space for meaningful peer connections and collective learning, healing, and action.
• Maintain consistent follow-through and positive working relationships with key school administrators, counselors, and decision-makers.
• Leverage effective communication skills to navigate through the relevant educational systems.
• Provide civic participation to ensure youth engagement and preparation through school. 
• Work in partnership with DCYF, Community Centers, and Local public schools within Seattle and King County.
• Attend all required external and internal programming, community and provider meetings.

Must have's to be successful:

• Required Experience and Knowledge
• Demonstrated understanding of the intersection of racism, poverty, and social justice, with a strong commitment to advocacy for communities furthest from opportunity, particularly Black and African American women, children, and youth.
• Knowledge of the dynamics of gender-based violence, including power and control, coercion, trauma impacts, and survivor-centered, trauma-informed best practices.
• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence and or sexual assault in an advocacy, support, or community-based setting.
• Minimum of (2) years of experience working or volunteering with children and youth ages 6–18.
• Experience providing crisis intervention, education, and support to children, youth, and families in one-on-one and group settings.
• Strong understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries when working with vulnerable populations.
• Ability to navigate and coordinate across multiple systems, including human services, education, and child welfare.
• Education and Training
• Some college coursework in child or youth development, social services, or a related field, or equivalent lived or professional experience in lieu of a degree.
• Commitment to complete a minimum of 30 hours of advocacy-based domestic violence training within the first three (3) months of employment and annually ongoing training thereafter.
• Youth and Community Engagement Skills
• Experience facilitating or co-facilitating peer support groups for children or youth.
• Familiarity with how cultural dynamics, including racism and gender, shape the experiences and responses of Black and African American youth impacted by domestic violence.
• Knowledge of community resources within Seattle and South King County, or the ability to quickly build and maintain those connections.
• Professional Skills and Work Style
• Strong advocacy orientation with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Proficiency with basic office technology, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and mobile communication tools.
• Ability to manage documentation, data entry, and reporting in a timely and organized manner.
• Logistics and Availability
• Access to a reliable vehicle, a valid Washington State driver’s license, and the ability to travel independently between multiple work sites during the workday.

Hours, Rate, and Benefits

• Hourly Rate: $28.00
• Hours: 40 Hours per week
• Excellent benefits package including medical insurance, retirement plan, plus generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave plans. For more information about our benefits, please visit: YWCA Careers & Benefits Information
• At the time of hire, employees may enroll voluntarily in the Fidelity 403b Plan
• After two years of employment, employees are eligible to participate in the YWCA Retirement Fund

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In performing this position, the employee:
• All positions at YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish are exposed to clients who have experienced or are experiencing trauma in various forms including but not limited to domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness, unemployment, financial hardship, etc. As a result, staff are at risk of secondary trauma. Employees are encouraged to seek external support and maintain self-care when working indirectly or directly with clients.
• Frequently sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods during meetings, school activities, workshops, and group facilitation.
• Frequently traveling independently between multiple work sites, including schools and community locations.
• Repetitive use of hands, wrists, and fingers for computer work, documentation, phone communication, and program coordination.
• Frequent reaching, handling, and grasping of office and program materials.
• Occasional bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling to access files, supplies, or materials.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of program materials, files, or supplies, generally up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work in environments that may be emotionally demanding due to the nature of advocacy and trauma-informed work.