YHSI Youth Advisory Board Coordinator

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 leading a 10-county Youth Homeless Systems Improvement (YHSI) project. This project will work to improve the youth homeless service system in southeast Michigan. The YHSI Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Coordinators play a crucial role in ensuring youth are fully engaged and represented within this project. These part-time roles will empower young people experiencing homelessness by providing leadership opportunities and a platform to voice their concerns through participation in YHSI. Working within a team consisting of the two YAB coordinators and the YHSI Program Manager, these positions will be responsible for recruiting, training, and supporting YAB members, as well as coordinating their involvement in various activities and events. As the primary point of contact for youth involved in YHSI, the right candidate will be able to serve as a positive role model, respond to the needs of the youth, and work with program partners to ensure active recruitment, representation, and participation for the Youth Advisory Board. The position will be mostly remote with the Lighthouse’s main office located in Pontiac, MI and potential, limited travel within Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Lapeer, Genesee, Shiawassee, and Livingston counties. Applicants do not need to be in Oakland County to be considered for these positions.

Responsibilities & Duties

Recruitment:

• Work with the project manager and partners to develop and implement a comprehensive recruitment strategy to identify and engage young people with lived experience of homelessness.

• Utilize various outreach methods, including social media, community partnerships, and direct outreach to youth shelters and youth centered programs.

Training and Support:

• Provide training and orientation to new YAB members on the project's goals and expectations.

• Offer ongoing support and guidance to YAB members, addressing concerns and providing resources as needed, to help foster full participation in the YAB.

• Facilitate team-building activities and foster a positive and inclusive YAB environment.

Meeting Coordination:

• Schedule and organize regular YAB meetings, ensuring efficient and productive sessions.

• Assist YAB members in establishing YAB goals, structure, rules of engagement, application process, etc. to help establish and foster an effective youth-driven board.

• Develop agendas, take minutes, and distribute meeting materials to all YAB members.

• Track attendance and participation to maintain accountability.

Administrative Tasks:

• Represent the organization and YAB at project meetings and events.

• Collaborate with other YHRP partners to share best practices and advocate for youth experiencing homelessness.

• Maintain accurate records of YAB member information, meeting minutes, and other relevant documentation.

• Prepare reports and presentations as needed.

• Work with supervisor to process YAB member stipends.

• Manage the YAB budget and ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED,

• Lived experiences with homelessness or some professional experience working with low-income individuals and families in the US,

• Ability to work with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite (Gmail, Google Calendar, Gchat, Google Drive, Google Doc, Google Sheets, and Google Slides etc),

• Demonstrated ability to maintain strong professional and personal boundaries,

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

• Strong communication skills,

• Strong conflict resolution skills,

• An appetite for innovation and creative problem-solving,

• Ability to occasionally work evenings, late nights, weekends, and some holidays, and

• Reliable transportation and ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience participating in, or facilitating, a youth advisory board or similar youth leadership role,

• Some knowledge of the youth social services landscape in Mid and Southeast Michigan and surrounding areas,

• HMIS (Homelessness Management Information System) experience,

• 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,

• Associate’s Degree in mental health/social work/hospitality or related field

• Exceptional communication ability, both written and oral,

• Ability to listen and accept 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. Applicant 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.

Last updated on Jan 28, 2025