Youth Program Coordinator

Youth Project Coordinator – Joy Grows (Part-Time, Volunteer)

Neighborhood wellness through youth led healthy food access. Website: Joygrows.us

About Us

Joy Grows is a mission-driven nonprofit partnering with youth and families to build community gardens, develop youth leadership, and expand access to healthy food in Annapolis, MD. We’re seeking an organized, warm, reliable Youth Project Coordinator who enjoys their work and wants to grow with us.

Position Summary

You will play a central role in supporting our upcoming Growing Leaders youth program. The role blends on-site youth engagement, project design and hands-on work, and communications / documentation. You will be a change-maker, creator of an innovative youth leadership program.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage scheduling, email, calendars, communication
• Support youth program logistics, attendance, volunteers, partners
• Create programming materials

Required Skills & Qualities

• Interest in our mission (learn more: Joygrows.us)
• Strong organization, communication, reliability, detail
• Comfort learning new tools
• Enjoys problem-solving and mission-driven teamwork
• Ability to self-guide research
• Interest in environmental justice
• Ability to teach, lead, and befriend youth

Valued (Not Required)

• Spanish language proficiency
• Experience with underserved communities
• Nonprofit/youth program or volunteer coordination experience

What You’ll Gain

• Experience in nonprofit operations, youth programs, community partnerships
• Access to networks, leadership training, partner collaboration
• Supportive environment that values creativity, ideas, and joy

Schedule & Compensation

• Part-time: 10 hours / week
• Hybrid: in-person + remote
• Volunteer desired, opportunity to become staff
• Fresh veggies

Weekly Overview:

• Meet with Joy Grows staff to plan youth leadership opportunities
• Outreach - recruit mentors and interface with youth
• Facilitate weekly meetings between youth and mentors
• Creation and maintenance of “Job Board”
  • Youth identify Need in neighborhood and contact person in need - Earn points
    • Food Production and Access
    • Infrastructure Repairs
    • Neighborhood Beautification
    • Clearing Invasive Species
    • Diverting Stormwater Runoff
  • You add Need to Job Board
  • Youth research Solutions to Need - Earn points
  • You help facilitate Solution (work with Joy Grows collaborators on how to implement solution most cost-effectively)
  • You add Solution to Job Board
  • Youth (and mentor) implement Solution - Earn points
• Manage points / rewards for Youth Engagement
  • Rewards - gift cards? Small business supplies?
  • Saving with interest points for Entrepreneurship program launching in Fall
• Incorporate Chesapeake Bay Trust grants into program
• Create guides to providing Solutions for future projects

Starting Out

• Work with current Joy Grows programming
  • Building / maintaining gardens
  • Helping with the food pantry / youth kitchen
  • Meeting and engaging with the youth community
• Build the Growing Leaders program with Joy Grows team
• Set environmental justice goals with Joy Grows team