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The Peer Specialist/Outreach Coordinator plays a critical role in fostering meaningful connections with teens and the wider community to support the mission of the Jim Gillen Teen Center. This position is responsible for increasing youth participation (census) at the center by engaging with local schools, community organizations, service providers, and families. The coordinator will serve as both a peer support role model and a bridge between the center and the community, promoting recovery, resilience, and youth empowerment.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Peer Support & Youth Engagement
- Act as a positive, relatable peer mentor for teens navigating recovery, wellness, or personal challenges.
- Facilitate group discussions, workshops, and peer-led activities that foster self-expression, connection, and growth.
- Build trust and rapport with teens to encourage consistent participation in programming.
Community Outreach & Partnership Development
- Identify, establish, and maintain collaborative relationships with schools, social service agencies, mental health and recovery providers, youth groups, and other key stakeholders.
- Develop and implement outreach strategies to raise awareness of the teen center and its services.
- Represent the Jim Gillen Teen Centers at community events, meetings, and school functions to promote engagement and referrals.
Program Promotion & Census Growth
- Design and distribute outreach materials (flyers, social media posts, newsletters, etc.) in collaboration with the communications/marketing team.
- Track and analyze outreach efforts and participation data to inform growth strategies.
- Conduct follow-ups with partners and referring organizations to ensure teens are connected and supported.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred; High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Previous experience working in teen or recovery-focused settings. Proven experience in outreach, youth engagement, peer support, or community organizing. Advocacy experience is a plus. Lived experience with recovery, mental health challenges, or related youth services strongly preferred.
- Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) or Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW), or willingness to obtain certification within one year of hire.
- Familiarity with youth development, recovery principles, and trauma-informed approaches.
- Strong interpersonal skills with a passion for working with adolescents.
- Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic, mission-driven team.
- Comfortable speaking in front of groups and building relationships with diverse populations.
- Reliable transportation and willingness to travel locally for outreach purposes.
- Role requires a flexible schedule, including availability during evenings and some weekends to attend community events and engage with community partners outside of traditional hours.
About Us:
Care New England Health System (CNE) and its member institutions, Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Kent Hospital, VNA of Care New England, Integra, The Providence Center, and Care New England Medical Group, is a trusted, integrated health care organization that fuels the latest advances in medical research, attracts the nation’s top specialty-trained doctors, hones renowned services and innovative programs, and engages in the important discussions people need to have about their health and end-of-life wishes. Care New England is helping to transform the future of health care, providing a leading voice in the ongoing effort to ensure the health of the individuals and communities we serve.
:
Americans with Disability Act Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job-specific functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.
EEOC Statement: Care New England is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status
Ethics Statement: Employee conducts himself/herself consistent with the ethical standards of the organization including, but not limited to hospital policy, mission, vision, and values.