Program Coordinator - Youth in Care College Advocate Program (Y-CAP)

Organization Description

Foster Progress is a small but growing non-profit organization consisting of 6 staff members, 10 board members, and dozens of volunteers. Our mission is to empower youth from foster care to become successful adults through mentoring, advocacy, and educational opportunities. We are located in the Ravenswood neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. This position is mostly remote, with one day a week in the Chicago office required. You must live in Illinois.

Organizational Values

EXCELLENT

Foster Progress students deserve the same high quality services that we would want for our own loved ones. Non-profit doesn’t have to mean watered down. We maintain the highest standards for everything that has our name on it.

DIVERSE, EQUITABLE, INCLUSIVE

We take the time to examine our own biases and privileges and listen to voices different from our own. We are intentional about deconstructing systems of inequity at every level - with our students, board, staff, partners, and funders.

INNOVATIVE

We stay at the forefront of the current learning in our field. We strategize, evaluate, and iterate to get to the best possible solutions. We advocate for change not only at the individual level, but also at the systemic and policy level of postsecondary institutions and government.

RESOURCEFUL

We cut through red tape and navigate bureaucracies so we can access and leverage every resource available to our youth. We stay nimble so we can do whatever it takes for our youth to succeed. We are generous with what we have.

CONNECTED

No one succeeds alone. We keep our finger on the pulse of the youth at the center of our work. Connecting these youth to a caring, reliable adult remains central to our solutions. We connect resources, people, and ideas to further our mission.

ACCOUNTABLE

Foster youth have been let down by too many people. We will consistently be there for youth even when others have given up or they don't realize they need us. As a non-profit organization entrusted with donations from our supporters, we will uphold the highest ethical standards and transparency.

Program Descriptions

Mentoring & Scholarships

Foster Progress’s Mentoring & Scholarship program serves 60+ pairs in 2023. The goal of the program is to provide youth who have experienced foster care with a one-on-one mentor to help them access and succeed in higher education.

Youth in Care College Advocate Program (Y-CAP)

This new program was launched in July 2023. Foster Progress recruits college students on campuses around the state to host student-run supportive groups.

Traverse

Traverse was launched in 2021, offering travel and service opportunities around the state of Illinois for foster youth. These trips present youth with opportunities to explore the world, improve their mindsets, build meaningful relationships, and define their purpose. Experiences include camping and hiking, road trips, and cultural immersions.

Trainings & Workshops

We provide training to youth and professionals interested in supporting youth from foster care in their transition into adulthood, including social workers, secondary and post-secondary education professionals, foster parents and caregivers.

Job brief

We are looking for a competent, energetic, passionate program coordinator to support the implementation of programs for youth from foster care. Foster Progress is quickly growing, and as such, this opportunity offers room to grow with the organization. The Program Coordinator will report directly to the Executive Director and will work closely with the Program Manager and other staff.

Responsibilities

Supporting Program Manager of Y-CAP in the logistical details of the program, as well as support for the Foster Progress organization, such as...

• Helping to recruit Peer Advocates and students
• Data entry and management of payroll system, mailing lists, etc.
• Helping to plan and execute special activities
• Connecting child welfare agencies and resources to the students
• Measure and track the success of the programs
• Help build positive relationships with and among students and partners
• Manage communications
• Help to execute fundraisers
• Support grant writer by providing up to date reporting
• Other tasks as assigned to support the success of students/organization

Preferred Skills

• People who experienced foster care are highly encouraged to apply
• Ability to work side-by-side with staff, board, volunteers, students, and partners to execute vision
• Flexibility and commitment to learning and growing
• High-energy, nurturing, and engaging personality
• Experience with diverse and high-trauma youth populations
• Knowledge of higher education or college persistence best practices
• Knowledge of child welfare/foster care best practices
• Tech savvy, proficient in Google tools
• Individually motivated and reliable
• Excellent time-management and organizational skills
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Detail-oriented and efficient
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in social work, higher education, or relevant field
• This position is mostly remote, with one day a week in the Chicago office required. You must live in Illinois.
• It is helpful if you have a car. Some travel to college campuses around the state may be required.
• Some evenings and weekend events are required.

Compensation

• $55,000 annual salary
• Medical Benefits
• 10 paid holidays
• 4 weeks paid time off
• Family-friendly work environment
• Professional development and growth opportunities