Volunteer Feature Reporter Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The mission of Sunshine Gospel Ministries (SGM) is to seek the renewal of the city through ministries of discipleship, mercy and justice. Our vision is to empower youth and families to thrive and lead prosperous, healthy lives through connectedness, opportunity, and economic sustainability. Our culture is open, warm, inviting and family oriented. We are a ministry that seeks individuals who have a passion for the gospel, and our youth and families in the Woodlawn community.

The Youth Outreach department at SGM exists to help youth and young adults in our community flourish spiritually, academically, emotionally, and physically; encouraging self-expression through various experiences which expand their horizons and ability to dream. This is accomplished through year round out-of-school-time academic and faith-based enrichment programming centered around a trauma informed, social-emotional based curriculum which helps students to develop resiliency. Programs feature tutoring, homework assistance, as well as, various recreational, performing arts, and STEAM opportunities.

POSITION SUMMARY

This role will lead and oversee after school programs for high school students, and summer camp programs for students of all age groups. The program goals are to:

1. Ensure that students are provided with a safe, loving and caring space where mentoring relationships can be fostered.
2. Ensure students are told and shown that God loves them and are introduced to the Gospel.
3. Ensure the 40 Developmental Assets are taught and reinforced to all program participants.
4. Ensure students are provided with homework assistance, academic tutoring, social/emotional support, and enrichment.
5. Ensure that students are exposed to the different and unique ways of self-expression.

The Youth Outreach Engagement Associate collaborates with a team of part-time staff and volunteers to accomplish these goals in each of the program areas. This position is also responsible for strengthening current and identifying/building new partnerships with schools, community organizations and entities.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / FUNCTIONS

NOTE: Sunshine Gospel Ministries is a not for profit faith-based organization. This position is a ministerial role and will share God's word, lead biblical studies, and model behavior that is consistent with God's love.

• Assists Youth Outreach Program Director in providing oversight and support to all high school out-of-school-time programming.
• Assists Youth Outreach Program Director in administrative duties such as metrics reporting, keeping inventory of supplies, ordering snacks and necessary materials and supplies, maintaining attendance reports and updating the communication database with relevant youth/parent information across elementary, middle and high school programming.
• Assists Youth Outreach Program Director in keeping accurate fire, tornado and active shooter logs to comply with all DCFS licensing requirements.
• Assists Youth Outreach Program Director in providing spiritual leadership to Youth Engagement Assistants to ensure that God remains at the core of all programs and activities.
• Collaborates with Youth Outreach Engagement Associates in providing elementary and middle with consistent parent communication and maintaining programmatic data.
• Collaborates with Youth Outreach Engagement Specialists and Youth Outreach Program Director with developing and implementing all High School programming, curriculum and lesson plans to best accomplish program goals that ensure that the 40 Developmental Assets remain the basis of all programming.
• Assists Youth Outreach Program Director with maintaining Youth Outreach programmatic budget.
• Assists Youth Outreach Program Director with recruiting, training, and coordinating volunteers to maximize their effectiveness.
• Collaborates with the Youth Outreach team to maintain consistent and positive mentoring relationships with students.
• Assists Youth Outreach Program Director with cultivating and maintaining relationships with partner organizations to provide additional opportunities for students.
• Collaborates with additional Youth Outreach Engagement Associates to provide emotional support and behavior management in line with Youth Outreach policies/best practices.
• Participates as part of the Youth Outreach team that provides programs for youth from 1st-12th grades.
• Participates in Sunshine Gospel Ministries ministry-wide events such as Open House, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Store, and other events that may be planned throughout the year.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned.

RELATED DUTIES

Must become a Mandated Reporter

EDUCATION SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• BA degree in a related field or a minimum of 2 years working in a relatable ministry setting or with non-profits focusing on urban, racial and justice issues
• Ability to effectively reach, communicate with, and understand high school students and the challenges they face.
• Demonstrates working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Ability to effectively manage time and projects
• Possess good oral and written communication skills
• Ability to effectively collect and manage data
• Capable of effective multitasking
• Ability to work well in a collaborative environment as part of a team, as well as self-motivated and able to work independently
• Must be organized, detail oriented, reliable, and flexible
• Ability to work with and have an appreciation for diverse groups of people
• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity to the African-American community
• Able to use discretion and judgment when dealing with confidential information
• Continuous learner who leverages opportunities for learning and applies new knowledge and skills
• Demonstrates a belief in community as related to SGM's core values (Gospel, Radical Hospitality, Celebrating Beauty, Restorative Justice, Collaboration, Reconciliation, Fostering Effectiveness)

• Reliable, predictable, and timely attendance is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk and/or sit; use hands to fingers or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must be able to bend, stoop, pull, push, lift, as well as have overhead extension of arms. Must be able to stand for long periods of time; be able to lift, carry or move at least 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in a public building and/or outdoors and thus will be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

DIRECT REPORTS

None

BENEFITS

• Health Reimbursement Account
• SIMPLE IRA
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off (including 16 company holidays)
• Career advancement opportunities