Student Advocate

DREAM! (Dare to Revitalize Education thru Arts and Mediation) is a community-based organization on a mission to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline by encouraging creative confidence in young people and equipping educators and families with practical skills to support student academic and personal success. DREAM! collaborates with students, families, and educational partners to create positive youth-centered school cultures. The organization is now recognized as a leader for its unique and impactful approach in the Restorative Practice field. This spring, DREAM! is initiating an Advocacy Case Management project in the Bronx at the Evander Child’s Complex of 5 high schools. We are seeking a (PT) Student Advocate to work in one of the schools with a caseload of students who have low attendance, are undercredited, and have a history of risky behaviors, but also have great potential. 

Advocacy Case Management (ACM) offers students the individualized support they need to succeed academically, as well as personally to support life success. Student Advocates are the backbone of this work. They each have a caseload of students and are responsible for gathering essential data from their schools, program staff, families, and other stakeholders. They then work with each student to create their own goals. Along with the weekly 1-1 sessions the Student Advocate will facilitate group sessions designed to engage students in conversations and projects with the ultimate goal of life skills building. As DREAM! integrates Restorative Practicesives, Social-Emotional learn and the Arts, the Advocate will be trained to integrate those practices and will be interwoven into the ACM work. 

A successful Student Advocate (SA) is someone who: 

• Is committed to working with young people with challenging circumstances with an asset-based approach, maximizing students strengths and interests for them to take the lead on their Action Plans. 
• Is skilled at identifying and supporting students in developing specific personal and social development skills that enable them to advocate for their own academic and personal success.
• Takes a patient, youth-centered approach to coaching, facilitation, and mentoring students and communicating student interests and concerns with adult stakeholders 
• Is committed to effectively utilizing the ACM process to inspire clear/measurable growth in areas that the SA, student and stakeholders have collectively identified as critical to student success.
• Can work closely with DREAM! Mediation Coordinators, Teaching Artists, and school staff gather and assess student data to create and implement targeted Action plans to strengthen a student’s knowledge, skills and confidence. 
• Is able to document on-going student progress with meticulous attention to detail.
• Has excellent project, people, and time management skills. 
• Has grit, dedication, and optimism in the face of challenging work. 
• Is a strong communicator, great listener and relationship manager with the ability to work well one-on-one and in small group facilitation with young people and adults from various backgrounds 

Student Advocate Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Promote academic, social, and personal success for 12-16 students on a caseload
• Conduct regular coaching/update one-on-one sessions to discuss and re-strategize progress towards goals 
• Forge and maintain relationships with student stakeholders.

• Parents, teachers, guidance counselors, athletic coaches, mentors, after school program staff)

• Coordinate with DREAM! and school staff to gather information and discuss student academic and behavioral progress 

• Write Action Plans and maintain regular and accurate progress case notes on each student

• Participate in Case Conferences, presenting students with information strategies and progress

• Co-create and co-facilitate life skills group workshop 

• If needed, co-facilitate related program activities when available

Student Advocate Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 1 year experience working in youth development or education
• Dedicated to providing positive outcomes for children and families 
• Flexible team player willing to support program staff as needed 
• Able to work in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities 
• Knowledge of the New York City school system and Bronx communities is a plus
• Knowledge of Spanish is a plus 
• Must live within the Bronx or Manhattan 

Compensation 

• $30 P/H, 20 Hours per week 

Job Location: 

• 800 E. Gun Hill Rd, Bronx, NY 10467 

This position requires a compassionate individual who is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of students. The ideal candidate resides in the Bronx. If you are passionate about advocating for children’s rights and well-being, we encourage you to apply. To be considered, interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume.