Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year – and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success.  At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain’s New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference! 

NOTE: As a NYC contracted agency all positions at Good Shepherd Services fall under the NYC vaccine mandate. All employees, volunteers and interns must show proof of vaccination upon hire.

Candidates hired in this position will work in person but will have the flexibility to work remotely when program need allows

Title:                           FAMILY ADVOCATE, FAMILY ENRICHMENT CENTER (FEC)

Reports To:                DIRECTOR, Family Enrichment Center (the C.R.I.B.)

Location:                    2588 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11207

Hours:                         35 Hours/Week; Non-Exempt

Job Summary: The Family Advocate is responsible for contributing to the day-to-day operation of the East NY FEC (called the C.R.I.B.) including: building connections with other staff, local residents, and community partners; co-designing and delivering relevant programming and activities; providing advocacy and making referrals for participants; and creating a warm and inviting gathering place for families and individuals using the protective factors model to support community resilience.

Major Duties:

• Convene, support, and collaborate with a team of local parents, subject experts, and other residents to deliver monthly events and activities held at the C.R.I.B.
• Recruit, welcome, and orient community residents, volunteers, and participants and ensure they are valued members of the C.R.I.B. team.
• Engage groups of local community members of all ages comfortably, and guide them through the co-designed activities and programming at the C.R.I.B.
• Provide advocacy, outreach, and referrals to connect participants to service providers and other programs that have resources to offer.
• Promote cooperation between participants and engage the buy-in and commitment of community stakeholders in the activities of the FEC.
• Effectively utilize tracking and reporting mechanisms and accurately enter data and run reports in the C.R.I.B.’s Club Express website and other agency databases as needed to obtain program-level data, compiling statistical or written reports for agency and external stakeholders.
• Manage the C.R.I.B. website to communicate with and engage members and manage enrollment and attendance at offerings and events.
• Care for and attend to the physical space of the FEC program to ensure it is safe, welcoming, organized, and appealing to participants and community members.
• Handle inventory and ordering/purchasing responsibilities to keep the site running and ensure needed food and supplies are stocked for offerings.
• Serve as the petty cash, Metrocard, and gift card custodian, ensuring these items are available and accounted for at all times, submitting receipts and back up information to GSS fiscal department as funds are depleted.
• Work in a fast-paced environment on multiple projects occurring simultaneously.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field, and/or equivalent experience
• Live and/or work in East New York, Brooklyn
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to warmly connect with and engage children, youth, and adults individually and in groups
• Experience preferred developing and running a group or a club or coaching a team
• Experience caring for children (as a parent, guardian, relative, neighbor, or babysitter) preferred
• Available to work occasional evenings or weekends as needed
• Must have a commitment to work from a trauma-informed, strength-based, youth and family development perspective

General Requirements:

All staff are expected to be committed to the mission, vision, and values of Good Shepherd Services, which includes involvement in quality improvement activities and a willingness and ability to work within a culturally diverse environment.

Good Shepherd Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  We encourage all qualified individuals to apply. Falsification or omission of relevant information in connection with any application for employment is grounds for denial or dismissal.

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.