Youth Counselor, Youth Empowerment Services

Posted by on May 24, 2010

Youth Counselor, Youth Empowerment Services

Youth Empowerment Services seeks to hire immediately a full-time counselor. YES is a year round program that serves out-of-school youth, ages 17 to 21, living in Philadelphia. YES program activities include counseling and case management, literacy classes, GED and college preparation, job readiness training and placement, enrollment in post-secondary training, and engagement activities that include art (Mural Arts Program) and digital media production (graphic arts, video, and audio studio.)

YES counselors serve as a resource for youth and their families. They link the youth and their families to community supports and assist them with navigating the various systems to address their needs. YES counselors also serve as advocates, empowering youth and families with developing their problem solving skills, exploring options, asking questions and making independent choices. YES counselors provide counseling to help youth and family members identify, validate and explore the source of their feelings, especially anxiety and anger that lead to negative and disruptive behaviors. They aid youth and families with identification of strengths and pro-social behaviors to teach social skills and reinforce consequences of actions. YES counselors help youth and families prepare for transitions, especially as they affect family dynamics, schedules, responsibilities, and other feelings about the youth’s success. YES counselors work with the youth and their families throughout the program, meeting with youth weekly and families twice a month during home visits. YES counselors are responsible for goal setting, assessment, support plan development, monthly progress reports, and home visits. Candidates must understand youth development, family systems, have counseling experience, and a strong interest in working with at-risk youth as part of a team in an alternative educational setting. A Masters degree is required.

Read more at: http://www.idealist.org/en/job/379242-209