Peer Youth Advocate at Families on the Move of NYC Inc – Bronx, New York

Families On The Move of New York City, Inc. (FOTM)

About Us:

Families On The Move of New York City, Inc. (FOTM) is a family-run, citywide organization advocating for the rights and full participation of children and families navigating learning, behavioral, emotional, mental wellness, and/or substance use challenges. Our mission is to promote health and wellness across the Health and Behavioral Health Systems.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Peer Youth Advocate (18–30 years old) with lived experience to support and empower youth facing social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges. This role emphasizes peer engagement, advocacy, and collaboration with youth and families.

Qualities We Value

• Peer Engagement: The ability to effectively connect and engage with youth. Peer Engagement is 90% of the Peer Youth Advocate's role and responsibility. This also includes engagement with staff and partner staff agencies.
• Commitment to the well-being of others
• Respectful and collaborative, team-oriented mindset
• Wisdom gained through lived experience
• Strong relationship-building skills

Qualifications

• Age Requirement: 18–30 years old
• Lived Experience: First-hand experience receiving mental health services or navigating child-serving systems (e.g., social, emotional, behavioral, or substance use challenges)
• Leadership Skills: Ability to positively reflect on and share personal experiences
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Flexibility: Willingness to work flexible hours, including travel (75% travel required) within the NYC boroughs)
• Preferred: Bilingual and bicultural candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
• Employment Clearances from the Staff Exclusion List (SEL), State Central Registry (SCR), and NYS Justice Center (Criminal Background Check)
• Medical Clearance (proof of vaccination for MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella), Varicella, Hepatitis B, and a current TB screening.
• Additional vaccination requirement: Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (or willingness to become fully vaccinated)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide peer support to youth in community and organizational meetings
• Educating the public about youth mental health issues
• Assist in organizing social, recreational, and educational activities for youth
Develop and facilitate youth advisory councils
• Represent youth voices and interests in meetings, conferences, workforce development training, at councils, committees, and workgroups
• Enter services and maintain records in the data entry system
• Participate in training programs, including Peer Youth Power Credential, Mental Health First Aid, Peer Recovery Coach, and others
Peer Engagement: The ability to effectively connect and engage with youth. Peer Engagement is 90% of the Peer Youth Advocate's role and responsibility. This also includes engagement with FOTM and partner agency staff
• Serve as a peer bridger, assisting youth with transitions to the community or lower levels of care
Share personal knowledge and experiences about the youth-serving system and resources available to youth.Maintains appropriate professional boundaries with youth and other service recipients served.
• Peer mentor: Working closely with youth to foster growth and personal development by providing the appropriate levels of support and serving as a role model, including teaching the youth life skills.
• Peer Youth Advocate is required to complete the Peer Youth Power Credential, FDC training (and successfully pass the exam), OMH New Employee training, Safety In the Community training, FOTM's Just the Basics Advocates training, Peer Recovery Coach training, EHR AWARDS training and Mental Health First Aid within one year of initial hire date if they have not done so already, and any other additional training identified

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

Peer Engagement: The ability to effectively connect and engage with youth. Peer Engagement is 90% of the Peer Youth Advocate's role and responsibility. This also includes engagement with staff and partner staff agencies.
• Ability to travel to multiple work sites within the NYC Boroughs and Westchester County via public transportation, including the agency's main office location in Staten Island and funding source offices in Manhattan.
• Repetitive movement of hands and fingers (typing and/or writing)
• Ability to stand or walk long distances
• Visual acuity to view documents on a computer screen for long periods of time
• Typical office environment
• Flexibility to work evenings/nights/and weekends

Why Join FOTM?

At FOTM, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, genders, and those fluent in additional languages to apply. This is your opportunity to turn your experiences into impactful advocacy that helps families find hope and support.

Position Status: Non-exempt

Employment: At-will

Join us in amplifying the voices of youth and driving change in mental health advocacy! Apply today.