Peer Navigator- Runaway Homeless Youth

Job Description

Company Overview: Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 25,000 individuals. We do this through 50 programs in 70 locations throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity shows not just through our work with supported persons but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve. Rising Ground is headquartered in downtown Brooklyn.

About the Program: Rapid Rehousing for Young Adults is a solution to homelessness designed to help young adults aged 18-24 quickly exit homelessness to permanent housing. The program provides rental assistance and support services that are tailored to the unique needs of the young person.

Job Summary: Peer Navigators are young adults (ages 18–30) with lived experience of unaccompanied homelessness during their youth. They provide mentorship, advocacy, and connection to resources for youth and young adults currently navigating the RHY continuum. Peer Navigators help build trust, promote youth voice and choice, and walk alongside young people in their journeys. Peer Navigators promote long-term stability and act as a connector between youth, staff, community, and service systems.

Job Duties

Engagement, Relationship-Building & Mentorship

Engage Youth and Young Adults (YYA) during Drop-In Center hours and through outreach activities support access to services and sustain youth participation in programs.

Conduct one-on-one peer mentorship sessions that focus on goal setting, coping skills, housing readiness, and navigating services systems.

Facilitate and co-create peer-led programming, groups, and wellness activities that reflect youth voice and needs.

Support the facilitation and development of Advisory Boards to elevate youth leadership and decision-making.

Systems Navigation & Advocacy

Assist youth in accessing resources.

Where appropriate, accompany youth to appointments when requested.

Participate in case conferences, service plan reviews, and discharge planning meetings.

Assist youth in building self-advocacy skills, understanding their service plans, and becoming active participants in their case plans.

Additional Responsibilities

Participate in virtual and in-person DYCD peer meetings.

Maintain documentation, including session notes, attendance logs, and referral logs, in accordance with agency and DYCD RHY program guidelines.

Help identify gaps in services and advocate for enhanced programming and resources that are based on youth feedback.

Participate in staff trainings, team meetings, and regular supervision.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

Commitment to supporting youth who are experiencing or exiting homelessness.

Knowledge of NYC Runaway & Homeless Youth system and other youth-serving programs.

Awareness of community resources, including but not limited to educational services, housing resources, career opportunities, etc.

Familiarity with approaches such as harm reduction, trauma-informed care, positive youth development, and peer support models.

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to young people from diverse backgrounds.

Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams while maintaining appropriate boundaries and confidentiality.

Commitment to ongoing professional development, including continuing education and supervision.

Uphold Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) Code of Ethics standards.

Promote positive youth development, harm reduction, and wellness strategies in every interaction.

Qualifications:

Lived experience of unaccompanied homelessness or housing instability as a youth (ages 16–24).

High School diploma or equivalent required

Must be committed to obtaining the Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) Credential within 6 months of hire.

Must complete 600 hours of supervised peer support experience to maintain credential.

Work Environment:

This position may require evening or weekend hours based on agency youth engagement needs.

Some travel within the five boroughs to accompany youth or attend community events may be required.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency wholly complies with equal treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to an individual’s perceived or actual race, creed, color, national origin, alienate, citizenship status, gender, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or veteran status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.

Full-time