Part-time | 20 hours/week | Hybrid & Field-Based | Greater Chicago Area
Flexible scheduling; candidate must be located in the Chicago/Greater Chicago region.

ABOUT SAFE FAMILIES PLUS
Safe Families PLUS (Providing Lasting Unconditional Support) connects youth and young adults in the child welfare system with caring adult mentors who provide guidance, encouragement, and stability as they transition into adulthood. We serve youth ages 14–21 who are at risk of aging out of DCFS care with limited adult support. Volunteer mentors are adults aged 25 and older who commit to at least one year of mentorship, meeting with their mentee at least twice per month. Safe Families PLUS is a program under Safe Families for Children.

POSITION SUMMARY
For a young person aging out of care, one consistent adult can change the trajectory of their life. As our Mentorship Coordinator, you'll be the person who makes those connections happen and helps them last. You’ll work directly with youth, coach volunteer mentors, and collaborate closely with caseworkers to ensure each young person has a consistent, caring adult in their corner.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Coach and Support Matches

● Coach up to 35 mentor and mentee matches toward strong, lasting mentoring relationships

● Prepare youth for mentorship and lead in-person initial match meetings, helping build rapport, set mentee goals, and review program expectations and guidelines

● Check-in monthly with each mentor and mentee to encourage them, support growth, and confirm outings are happening

● Meet in-person with each match at the 6 month mark, and as needed when challenges arise

● Coach mentors in trauma-informed approaches and work through challenges as they arise

● Provide resources to mentors as needed to assist mentee with meeting their goals: housing, education, career, etc.

● Develop individualized support plans with youth who have higher or more complex needs

● Provide monthly updates to caseworkers

● Keep clear, organized notes in our program database and tracking systems

● Distribute and collect quarterly satisfaction surveys fro mentors, mentees, and caseworkers

● Occasionally transport youth to program-related activities

Champion the Matching Process and Support Volunteers

● Own and organize the waitlist for both youth and volunteer mentors, keeping it current, accurate and moving forward

● Review mentee referrals and make thoughtful matches based on geography, interests, and compatibility

● Stay in regular contact with waitlisted youth, their caseworkers, and approved mentors so everyone feels informed and engaged while they wait

● Facilitate monthly mentor support groups and ongoing training opportunities for volunteer mentors

Program Collaboration and Development

● Participate in weekly staff meetings and bi-weekly supervision

● Engage in ongoing trainings and professional development

● As capacity allows, support mentor recruitment and screening, team projects, and other organizational priorities. We’re a small, collaborative team: everyone pitches in, and we also protect each role’s core focus and capacity.

REQUIREMENTS

● Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Counseling, or related field

● Experience working with youth, preferably within the child welfare system

● Experience supporting, coaching, or working alongside adult volunteers or community members

● Strong interpersonal skills, with the warmth and ease to build trust quickly with youth, volunteers, caseworkers, and families

● Familiarity with trauma-informed care and de-escalation techniques

● Strong organizational skills and comfort managing a caseload, waitlist, and follow-ups

● Valid Illinois driver’s license, auto insurance, and access to a vehicle

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

● MSW/LSW or a graduate degree in a related field

● Experience with motivational interviewing, strengths-based coaching, or a similar approach

● Group facilitation experience, such as support groups, trainings, or workshops

● Familiarity with Illinois DCFS and the child welfare system

Don’t meet every qualification? We still encourage you to apply. We value passion, relational skills, and experience with youth.

WHO THRIVES HERE

You are deeply passionate about youth in the child welfare system and understand the unique strengths and challenges they carry. They are:

● Relational and youth-centered: comfortable, confident, and experienced working directly with youth; meets young people where they are

● Self-driven and proactive: takes initiative, follows through, and doesn’t wait to be told what needs to happen

● Skilled with volunteers: able to coach, encourage, and hold accountability with adult volunteers in a warm and effective way

● Trauma-informed: brings awareness of how trauma shapes behavior and knows how to respond to youth and coach mentors through hard moments

● Team-oriented: a collaborative, reliable presence who communicates openly and shows up for their colleagues