Youth Advocate

Job Title: Youth Advocate

Location: Wilmington, NC
Department: Open House Shelter
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 12:00 PM–8:00 PM

About Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.

Coastal Horizons Center, Inc. provides a continuum of professional services that promote healthier lives, stronger families, and safer communities. Our programs provide support, advocacy, and resources to individuals and families throughout the communities we serve.

About the Position

Coastal Horizons Center is seeking a Youth Advocate to provide direct advocacy, case management, outreach, and support to youth residing in the Open House Shelter. This position works directly with youth in a residential setting to ensure basic needs are addressed, meaningful short- and long-term goals are established, and youth are connected with appropriate community resources and services.

The Youth Advocate uses a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental approach to engage youth and promote safety, stability, wellness, and self-sufficiency. This position also supports community outreach and education efforts related to runaway, homeless, and street-involved youth.

Why Join Coastal Horizons?

• Make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth and families.

• Provide advocacy and support to youth experiencing homelessness, instability, or other challenges.

• Build partnerships with community agencies and service providers.

• Participate in community outreach, education, and prevention initiatives.

• Work as part of a team dedicated to promoting healthier lives, stronger families, and safer communities.

What You'll Do

Youth Advocacy & Case Management

• Provide direct advocacy and case management services to youth residing in the shelter.

• Assess youth needs and assist with identifying and addressing immediate and ongoing needs.

• Develop measurable short- and long-term goals with youth and monitor progress toward those goals.

• Connect youth with community resources and services, including medical and behavioral health services, public benefits, childcare, education, WIC, housing, and other supportive services.

• Provide telephone referrals and assistance with scheduling and accessing community services.

• Provide transportation assistance for medical appointments and other essential services as appropriate.

• Provide health education and encourage youth to establish and maintain healthy wellness practices.

• Facilitate the weekly Botvin LifeSkills group.

Community Outreach & Education

• Conduct street-based and community outreach to engage runaway, homeless, and street-involved youth and connect them with appropriate services.

• Educate youth, agencies, community partners, and the public regarding the risks and challenges faced by runaway and homeless youth.

• Promote awareness of available emergency shelter, sexual assault/rape crisis, domestic violence, medical/health, behavioral health, and substance use services.

• Organize and participate in community events to promote Open House services, including Parents Day Out events.

• Develop and maintain relationships with community agencies and encourage partnerships that support high-risk youth populations.

• Educate community partners and employees regarding issues affecting homeless and runaway youth, including the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ youth.

National Safe Place & Community Partnerships

• Maintain the program's existing National Safe Place membership.

• Develop and maintain current and future Safe Place site partnerships.

• Submit required membership and program data.

• Represent Coastal Horizons Center professionally within the community and with partner organizations.

Residential & Program Support

• Provide support to Residential Staff as needed.

• Step in to provide residential coverage when staffing gaps occur.

• Maintain a safe, supportive, respectful, and positive environment for youth.

• Utilize a strengths-based approach that recognizes and reinforces the individual strengths and abilities of each youth.

• Demonstrate respect for diversity and engage each youth with compassion, non-judgment, and support.

Documentation & Records

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete client documentation.

• Update and maintain client records in accordance with program and agency requirements.

• Audit client records for accuracy and completeness.

• Complete required documentation, reports, and program data.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related human services field.

• Two years of residential staff experience and/or experience working with youth.

• Current Adult CPR and Basic First Aid certification.

• Knowledge of available community resources.

• Knowledge of issues affecting sexual assault/abuse, runaway youth, homeless youth, and street-involved youth.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to establish rapport and develop effective working relationships with youth, supervisors, coworkers, community partners, and the general public.

• Ability to represent Coastal Horizons Center professionally in the community.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a compassionate and resourceful professional who is comfortable working directly with youth in a residential environment and engaging with community partners. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong advocacy skills, cultural responsiveness, sound judgment, and the ability to build trusting relationships with youth who may be experiencing significant barriers or instability.

Additional Requirements

This position requires the ability to work in a residential shelter environment and provide support when residential staffing needs arise. Candidates should be comfortable participating in community outreach activities and interacting with youth, families, community agencies, and the general public.

Salary & Benefits:

· Competitive salary based on experience

· Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

· Educational loan repayment programs & Career growth

· Retirement savings plan/401K

· Paid time off programs, rollover hours, 14 paid holidays

· Employee engagement activities, resource groups, and diversity events

Request For Accomidations:

If you require an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at jobs@coastalhorizons.org.

We look forward to reviewing your application!

EEO STATEMENT

Coastal Horizons is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all of our associates.