Peer Outreach Worker

ABOUT YOUTHCARE: YouthCare builds confidence and self-sufficiency for young people experiencing homelessness ages 12-24 by providing a continuum of care that includes homelessness prevention, street outreach, basic services, emergency shelter, housing, counseling, education, and employment training. Founded in 1974 as a three-bed emergency shelter program, our continuum now operates across nine locations and a variety of community-based partnerships. Several of our programs are national models, and we are a leader locally and across the country in serving runaway young people and young people experiencing homelessness, as well as young people who have experience sexual exploitation.

ABOUT UNIVERSITY DISTRICT YOUTH CENTER: The University District Youth Center (UDYC) provides homeless, at risk, runaway, and/or street involved young people ages 13-22 the opportunity, tools, and support in transitioning to improved living while creating a safe, nurturing environment that values and respects the cultural diversity of the young people we serve.

POSITION SUMMARY: A program of UDYC. The Peer Outreach program works in conjunction with the drop-in program to provide support to young people experiencing homelessness. This position is responsible for providing peer outreach by engaging homeless youth in the U-District and connecting them to the appropriate services. This position conducts community-based outreach to ensure that young people are aware of services. This position is responsible for providing support to the Drop-In Program and to the young people who access UDYC. This position works in close collaboration with the Drop-In staff and requires collaboration with the larger UDYC team including case management, housing, education, and employment. This position requires data collection & reporting on outreach contacts.

Non-management employees are represented by Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engage young people in a variety of settings including UDYC, the streets, schools, and other areas where young people congregate.  
• Collaborate with Project Coordinator, University District agencies, and University of Washington to implement YouthCare programs.  
• Build trust and rapport with young people experiencing homelessness, young people who have experienced sexual exploitation and/or young people who are at risk. 
• Conducts community-based outreach to ensure that young people experiencing homelessness are aware of services that are available to them. 
• Encourage movement through the continuum of emergency services to case management, education, and employment programming. 
• Staff regular drop-in and outreach shifts safely and therapeutically. 
• Provide de-escalation, crisis intervention and basic emotional support. 
• Multi-task in a fast-paced and hectic environment. 
• Coordinate engagement center activities (client led groups). 
• Complete necessary paperwork and data collection. 
• Participate with staff and volunteers in cooking and serving nutritious meals for up to 75 people. 
• Work with the Performance & Quality Improvement (PQI) Team to improve youth voice and participation in quality improvement efforts at YouthCare by assisting with client surveys, focus groups, etc. 
• Participate in regular supervision, clinical consultations, and weekly staff meetings. 

This job description is not intended to cover every aspect of your job at YouthCare. We are a team that works together to meet the needs of our clients and every member of the team is expected to pitch in and help even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this description.

QUALIFICATIONS –     

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:     

• Relevant experience or work with young people experiencing homelessness, sexually exploited young people, or high-risk young people populations. 
• Interested in learning harm reduction philosophies in regard to sexual activity, drug use, and other potentially risky behaviors. 
• Ability to provide street-based outreach services in varying weather conditions. 
• High School Diploma or GED 
• Experience and credentials must comply with program contract requirements including but not limited to the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) background check and must be at least 21 years of age.