'Healthy Futures' Program Specialist (Americorps)

THE ORGANIZATION

Safe-Hub's mission is to create safe spaces that combine the power of sport and education to empower youth and change lives. As a place-based organization, we leverage existing community assets, fill gaps in community services, and provide a powerful collaborative platform to maximize positive change.

Safe-Hub established its first US operation in North Philly during the height of the pandemic in 2020. Since launching, the Safe-Hub team has worked with over 1000 young people from Philadelphia’s most resource-constrained neighborhoods. Through local partnerships, community engagement, and high-quality soccer-based youth development and post-secondary and career readiness programming, Safe-Hub is revitalizing North Philly’s public spaces and bringing together the diverse community of Kensington through sport.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Safe-Hub is looking for an enthusiastic individual to assist in the implementation and administration of our high-quality Sports-Based Youth Development (SBYD) programs for young people ages 4-17 in North Philadelphia. As a Safe-Hub Program Specialist, you will add to our organizational capacity to enrich and amplify our youth and community development work. You will learn industry-leading approaches to youth development, give back to the community as a role model for young people, and join the global Safe-Hub movement to empower the next generation of leaders. Our greatest asset is the incredible community of individuals who are passionate about improving outcomes for young people and for the neighborhood at large.

*Half-time or full-time position available*

Safe-Hub Program Specialists will help youth develop skills in ALL 3 key programmatic areas:

• Healthy Bodies: Safe-Hub gets kids moving through soccer, physical fitness, and competition. We provide healthy snacks and nutrition information and help youth develop healthy lifestyles that will benefit them throughout their lives.

• Healthy Minds: Safe-Hub is a safe, supportive community where youth can be their authentic selves. We are intentional about building Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills and promoting strong, healthy relationships on and off the field.

• Healthy Futures: Safe-Hub helps young people develop and practice the skills needed to achieve their goals. We cultivate competent, confident learners with a growth mindset and expand their understanding of the opportunities and life pathways available to them.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Specialist supports Safe-Hub across an array of programmatic functions. The Program Specialist works closely with Program Coordinators to ensure the delivery of high-quality youth programs. This position is ideal for an individual with a passion for youth development as well as an interest in nonprofit and program administration.

General Program Responsibilities

• Execute and enhance program recruitment strategy. Research and attend school events, soccer games, resources fairs, etc. to promote Safe-Hub programs in the community.

• Model healthy relationships with Safe-Hub staff, build trust with participants.

• Coach and assist with program delivery and implementation, including full-time summer camp in July.

• Assist with program logistics (registration, data and media collection, site setup and maintenance, etc.)

• Improve and streamline systems and procedures. Contribute to the overall efficiency of the programs.

• Research additional resources, materials, and best practices.

• Assist with preparation and execution of organizational events.

• Assist with planning and execution of staff training.

• Equipment and facility management (program supplies inventory, storage, and organization, field maintenance, etc.).

• Execute Monitoring & Evaluation plans.

• Practice positive communication with Safe-Hub staff, participants, families and volunteers.

Healthy Futures Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and enhance Healthy Futures (and Healthy Minds) content into EduSoccer and PlayMaker curricula (college and career readiness, opportunity exposure, resource awareness, study habits and skills, etc.).

• Attend all PlayMaker Development Sessions and document curriculum materials.

• Coordinate intentional activities and rituals to foster a culture of achievement and future-focused success.

• Co-create mechanisms to solicit, collect, record, and communicate feedback from program participants.

• Co-design, plan, and implement a calendar of events to complement the PlayMaker and EduSoccer curricula and build life-readiness skills across all age groups (academic support, career exposure, tutoring, workshops, access to resources, etc.).

• Organize, facilitate, and chaperone regular community service projects and college trips for youth participants to participate, including developing new partnerships and service opportunities based on youth interests.

• Support internal communications, including weekly emails, social media content, flyers, and printed materials.

• Organize and oversee a Youth Leadership Council, including running meetings, helping to create and manage a youth budget, and liaising between program participants, families, and staff.

• Identify and create new opportunities for our youth to participate in future-readiness activities, including summer internships and learnerships.

• Use the relationships-centered environment at Safe-Hub to teach life readiness skills and reinforce our core values, such as goal setting, growth mindset, SWEAT agreement, etc.

Key Deliverables

• Safe-Hub Philadelphia Operations Manual: Document and organize program operations (policies, procedures, standards of service, etc.) into an Operations Manual for ongoing use.

• Participant Incentive Program: Create, implement, and track a Participant Incentive Program with rewards for attendance, participation, and positive behaviors.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Required

• Commitment to diversity, social justice, and equal opportunities for all young people.

• Passion for Safe-Hub’s mission, youth and community development.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; administrative skills; organizational and planning skills; outstanding attention to detail and follow-through; ability to take initiative.

• Flexibility, comfort with -and ability to- "wear multiple hats" depending on organizational need.

• Must pass all background screening (criminal, child abuse, and FBI clearance).

• Access to reliable transportation.

• Willingness to attend coaching education, give and receive constructive feedback, and practice a growth mindset.

Preferred

• Experience working with young people and in team sports.

• Experience on-field (playing and/or coaching).

Safe-Hub's mission requires that our staff interact with and understand an array of cultures and backgrounds. We value having a talented team that reflects the population we serve, who come from diverse backgrounds and vary by race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, religion, and abilities. We encourage individuals to apply who will contribute to a positive, inclusive, participatory learning environment and help reinforce an atmosphere of mutual respect.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedule and telecommuting options. (*Program schedule is fixed, but additional administrative hours may be flexible.)

• Professional development and career-readiness preparation in addition to extensive sports-based youth development training.

• Education award that can be put towards student loans or future tuition (upon completion of required 900 or 1700 hours of service). This position is a half-time or full-time Americorps commitment for a 1-year term of service.