Peer Mentor, Fatherhood Services

Hours: Part-Time (20 hours/week)

Reports to: Program Director, F2F

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Location: Brooklyn, NYC

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Youth Justice Network (YJN) was founded as Friends of Island Academy in 1990 to anchor, support, and develop capacity among young people newly released from jail in New York City. YJN’s mission is to break cycles of incarceration and build an equitable justice system by providing individualized advocacy, mentorship, and opportunities for participants to grow, thrive, and lead.

POSITION BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION

YJN is seeking a Peer Mentor for its Friends 2 Fathers (F2F) program. Funded by the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), F2F seeks to help fathers connect with their families, engage more deeply on a social and emotional level with their children, and increase their financial support. The Peer Mentor is a credible fatherhood leader who leverages lived experience to engage, motivate, and coach fellow fathers enrolled in Friends to Fathers (F2F). In alignment with DYCD staffing requirements, the role facilitates parenting‑skills training, organizes community projects, and drives outreach and recruitment, while modeling positive, nurturing fatherhood . Through a combination of group and individualized support, F2F supports fathers referred to us from various agencies and the courts, offering classes, workshops and other supports necessary for fathers who are seeking to become emotionally and financially engaged with their children; and strengthen and deepen their engagement with their families.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Curriculum Facilitation:

• Co-lead ProFathering15 discussions for Tier 1–2 fathers and quarterly Fathering‑in‑Action sessions.
• Serve as co‑facilitator with the Training Specialist for the 8‑session Supporting Father Involvement (SFI) curriculum delivered to Tier 3 fathers and Tier 4 father‑coparent pairs, as recommended by the SFI model

Support Groups & Peer Coaching:

• Lead or co‑lead twice‑weekly 90‑minute support groups, providing relatable guidance, skill‑practice, and accountability.
• Serve as co‑facilitator with the Training Specialist for the 8‑session Supporting Father Involvement (SFI) curriculum delivered to Tier 3 fathers and Tier 4 father‑coparent pairs, as recommended by the SFI model .
• Create and implement ice breakers as needed for group sessions.

Community Project Leadership:

• Guide fathers in planning and executing at least two child‑ or family‑focused community projects each year, nurturing leadership and civic engagement.
• Engage in F2F team building activities with staff and the fathers such as a movie night, open mic event, outdoor exercise and wellness function, etc.

Outreach and Recruitment:

• Conduct street outreach at family‑court waiting rooms, NYCHA events, barber shops, and online platforms to enroll eligible fathers and coparents.
• Share personal testimony to illustrate the program’s impact and reinforce a strengths‑based narrative.
• Utilize YJN’s Shifting Gears team and mobile advocacy bus as an outlet for community outreach.

Documentation and Data:

• Record attendance, milestone completions, and peer‑mentoring hours in DYCD’s Participant Tracking System (PTS).

Professional Development:

• Complete the National Fatherhood Initiative’s Father‑Friendly Check‑Up and a minimum of 12 hours of annual training, including Family Development Credential coursework, per DYCD guidelines.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Essential lived experience as a father who has been disconnected from and/or had supervised visitation with a child, now re‑engaged
• Demonstrated group‑leadership skills and excellent interpersonal communication.
• Commitment to racial and gender equity and to uplifting the strengths of low‑income Bronx fathers
• High‑school diploma/GED required; associate’s degree or relevant certifications a plus.
• Basic computer literacy; ability to work evenings/weekends.
• Bilingual English/Spanish highly desirable/ possible two positions