Program Coordinator, Antelope Valley

Job Title – Program Coordinator, Antelope Valley

Reports to – Y.E.S. A.V. Program Manager

Status – Full-time, Non-Exempt

Organization Overview

United Friends of the Children empowers current and former foster/justice involved youth on their journey to self-sufficiency through service-enriched programs, advocacy, and consistent relationships with a community of people who care.

Founded over 40 years ago, United Friends’ is a leading provider of youth development services to current and former foster youth in Los Angeles County. Through its housing and education programs, the organization has helped thousands of young people imagine and actualize their own dreams and futures. United Friends’ programs focus on commitment, trauma-informed care, and empowerment by prioritizing a whole-person-development approach. Through a Social Justice Positive Youth Development (SJPYD) model, we center building relationships with youth over an extended period to achieve greater outcomes. Around those relationships, United Friends wraps an array of supportive services to help youth successfully transition to adulthood. As a result of services, United Friends alumni have greater housing and economic stability, higher educational attainment and a stronger sense of community and emotional wellbeing.

Position Overview

Starting as early as middle school and following students through college graduation, UFC’s Education Program forges trusting relationships with youth in foster care as they navigate some of life's most pivotal moments. UFC’s Education Program is committed to encouraging and supporting youth in earning both their high school and college degrees. United Friends’ programs focus on commitment, trauma-informed care, and youth empowerment by prioritizing the whole-person-development of youth in care through a Social Justice Positive Youth Development (SJPYD) approach, while building relationships with the youth over an extended period.

Reporting to the Program Manager of the Youth Engagement and Success Antelope Valley team, the Youth Engagement and Success Program Coordinator supports the design and logistical implementation of youth workshops, service learning, and special events held in the Antelope Valley by working in collaboration with the Community Impact team. The Program Coordinator will also work with the YES A.V. Program Manager to promote our program services to community partners.

United Friends currently implements a hybrid work environment – schedule is determined at the discretion of management and the needs of the program and/or agency. This position will work full-time hours, Monday-Friday and on weekends and evenings as necessary. United Friends’ Lancaster office will serve as a hybrid work location for administrative and meeting purposes (as specified). Travel between United Friends’ Lancaster office and other sites across Los Angeles County is required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Workshop and Event Support

• Lead the logistical components of our workshop programming, including but not limited to purchasing workshop materials, contracting with vendors, managing transportation on the day of the workshop or event, and setting up and breaking down the workshop.
• Manage the onsite storage and inventory of workshop and event-related materials.
• Work with the Community Impact team to provide workshop-related communications, such as email updates, meeting minutes to the Y.E.S A.V. team
• Assist with planning, coordinating, and executing special events (e.g., Annual Career Day, Holiday Party, Summer Kick Off, etc.).
• Collaborate with the Community Impact Coordinator to ensure staff are prepared to facilitate the workshop and event content.

Partnership Cultivation

• Under the direction of the Y.E.S. A.V. Program Manager assist in the development of partnerships with community partners such as school districts, local businesses, event spaces, and other non-profit agencies that will facilitate high quality opportunities for students
• Assist with the cultivation of relationships with and serve as a liaison to community partners to increase awareness of the needs of foster youth and to ensure students’ success.
• Assist in preparation of files and date for internal and annual audits.
• Enter information into Apricot and other online databases
• Support the Intake Coordinator, as needed.

General Administration / Recruitment and Intake Process

• Provide general administration support for the Antelope Valley office.
• Assist with the processing of check requests.
• Assist with creation of reports for grantors and funders.
• Support Education Program outreach efforts by assisting with program presentations, table community events and referral partnership cultivation.
• Work with referred parties to obtain signed enrollment paperwork.
• Enter intake information into Apricot and other online databases
• Support the Intake Coordinator, as needed.

Other

• Other duties as assigned.

General United Friends Responsibilities

• Act as a role model within the organization to uphold and implement United Friends’ organizational values:
• Embrace program evaluation that leads to excellence and impact.
• Build effective and empowering partnerships with the youth, community, and each other.
• Create a fun and exciting environment that inspires learning and innovation.
• Communicate openly, honestly and with humility across all groups.
• Work together as one organization.
• Staff hold a commitment to:
• A culturally responsive Trauma-Informed Approach to our population and client centered advocacy
• Strong knowledge of the communities served and centralize this cultural understanding into the work.
• Support in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)
• Evaluating the completeness, accuracy and relevance of data to determine information value and improve client services.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 2+ years of professional experience in a related setting
• Experience working with vulnerable populations
• Establishes and cultivates respectful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to analyze and present information concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to handle confidential information with sensitivity and integrity
• Ability to multi-task and manage the completion of multiple projects, often with shifting priorities, while working under direct supervision or independently
• Has a positive, respectful attitude and works well in a team setting
• Demonstrated ability to be creative, flexible and well-organized
• Ability to establish and cultivate respectful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds
• Holds self-accountable, sets high expectations for self and others, works both independently and collaboratively and relates tasks to organizational values
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook applications, Google Drive, and database management experience
• Trauma-informed and client-centered advocacy
• Understand the communities served and centralize this cultural understanding into the work
• Passionate about United Friends’ mission
• Must have valid California Driver’s License and an insured and reliable vehicle

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a non-profit setting
• An understanding of and sensitivity to issues concerning former foster care youth
• Bilingual in English and Spanish; oral and written