YHSI Youth Advocate

YHSI Youth Advocate (Part Time, Non Benefit Eligible, Grant Funded, Hybrid, Level 5)

About Lighthouse

Lighthouse MI is a growing non-profit, established in 2019 when Lighthouse of Oakland County and South Oakland Shelter joined forces to offer a stronger collective response to poverty in our Metro Detroit community. With over 80 years of combined experience, Lighthouse serves as a beacon of hope to our neighbors who need it most by offering assistance with emergency basic needs alongside housing programs and supportive services designed to support long-term economic stability. Lighthouse owns and operates Spero Housing Group, a subsidiary non-profit dedicated specifically to developing and operating high quality affordable and supportive housing for persons of low and moderate income, as well as HandUp, a community and crowdfunding platform serving 100+ homeless service agencies and their clients across the United States.

Position Summary

Lighthouse is seeking YHSI Youth Advocates to help contribute to the Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement (YHSI) initiative. The Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement initiative is a collaborative effort to enhance and transform systems that serve young people experiencing homelessness across a 10 county region. The regional partnership consists of organizations within Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Lapeer, Genesee, Shiawassee, and Livingston counties who interact with or provide services to youth experiencing homelessness. We believe that incorporating the voices and insights of those with lived experience is crucial for effective and sustainable change. YHSI Youth Advocates will influence regional strategies, educate communities, lead select projects and advocate for systemic improvements through active participation in meetings and public engagements, mostly virtually. YHSI Youth Advocate should be comfortable sharing their personal experiences and perspectives in a professional setting for advocacy purposes, has strong communication and interpersonal skills, has a passion for social justice and systemic change, and is able to work collaboratively in a team environment.

This is a grant funded position through May 2027. The position is part time, non benefits eligible offering a flexible schedule of up to 24 hours per pay period (2 weeks). Daytime availability is required. Compensation is $20 hourly.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Engage in regular virtual meetings with key stakeholders and regional partners, including Steering Committee and various in person partner convenings, offering your unique perspective and insights as a person with lived experience,

• Meet regularly with the Youth Advisory Board Coordinator,

• Attend and actively participate in Learning Cohort meetings and office hours,

• Provide valuable input on strategies, programs, and policies designed to address youth homelessness and the YHSI project,

• Collaborate with other YHSI Youth Advocates and YHSI team members to curate and deliver impactful presentations to community groups, partners, stakeholders, policymakers, and other groups to raise awareness and educate on the realities of youth homelessness,

• Attend trainings and workshops to enhance professional development and represent Lighthouse,

• Participate in sub committees related to the YHSI initiative,

• Enforce agency policy and procedures and uphold agency values to maintain a safe, client-centered, and inclusive environment for clients, staff, interns, and volunteers,

• Carry out any additional tasks assigned by supervisor.

Benefits

• This position is not eligible to participate in any Lighthouse time off or fringe benefit programs.

• This position is eligible to request and receive assistance with transportation assistance needed to participate in required, work-related meetings and events

• This position is eligible to request and receive assistance with securing IT required to carry out the responsibilities of the job.

Required Qualifications

Due to grant requirements, applicants MUST:

• Have lived experience with youth homelessness,

• Be within the 18 - 26 year old age range at the time of hire,

• Recent lived experience with homelessness in one of the following counties: Oakland, Macomb, Sanilac, Huron, Lapeer, Tuscola, Genesee, Livingston, Shiawassee, or St. Clair,

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to maintain strong professional and personal boundaries,

• Demonstrated ability to uphold and enforce program policies and procedures as necessary,

• Some knowledge of the social services landscape in the region and surrounding areas,

• Ability to work with Google Apps, such as Gmail, Sheets, Docs, Calendar,

• Strong communication skills,

• Strong conflict resolution skills,

• An appetite for innovation and creative problem-solving,

• CPR, Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care, and Housing First training,

• Proven ability to work effectively with racially and ethnically diverse clients and teams,

• Exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations,

• Exceptional communication ability, both written and oral,

• Ability to listen, accept, and provide feedback constructively,

• Possess high emotional intelligence skills,

• Unwavering personal integrity, and

• Ability to work in a fast paced, demanding, constantly changing environment.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Physical Demands:

The incumbent typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office. Incumbent may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday. The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, and to stand, walk, reach, bend or lift up to 20 pounds. Contact with the public in office environments may risk exposure to irrational/hostile behavior, contagious diseases, or contact with domestic animals. The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.