Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I believe a true leader can accept when it is time to pass the torch and have a new leader lead the way. I want to take this opportunity to inform everyone that July 31, 2014 will be my last day as the Long Island Regional Youth Partner.

I am excited to announce I will be taking on a new position traveling around the country to give presentations to youth and young adults on social change and making healthy decisions. I have worked alongside excellent colleagues and have had so many opportunities to grow personally and professionally. The RYP position gave me an opportunity to learn about finding my voice while also helping others find their own.Thank you all for your support and for those who took me under their wings and helped mold me into the young lady I have become.

I am truly leaving here with mixed feelings; happy about my new career opportunity, but sad to be leaving such an amazing organization where I have so many wonderful friends and colleagues. I have had the opportunity to partner with so many driven leaders who have taught me what advocacy is all about. I will always be a proud member of the YOUTH POWER! family. This job was the best period of my life so far. I learned a great deal and worked with many people with whom I am sure I will remain friends for a long time. I can only wish that my new job will give me such rewarding experiences and supportive friends. Thank you all again.

Please direct all future correspondence after July 31st to YOUTH POWER! Executive Director Stephanie Orlando: [email protected]

My very best wishes for the future go out to each and every one of you.

Yours sincerely,

Desiree Moore

I have been at YP! for 2-1/2 years, and now that I am moving onward and upwards, I'd just like to say how incredible the ride has been. I have learned countless things that I will take on to new job opportunities, but five lessons really stand out to me. I would like to share this wisdom with you today. 

#5- Things don't always turn out as you plan: and that's a good thing. I can't count all of the times I planned a forum, went out of town for a meeting, or even organized a Go To Meeting only to have it turn out to be the complete opposite of what I had in my head when I began planning. The point of planning is not to have complete control over your assignment. The point of planning is to evolve an idea and turn it into something great and memorable. As long as you know when to steer the ship and when to let it float on its own, you will be good to go. 

#4- If you're going to dance on an elevated dance floor...watch out for those edges so you don't sprain your ankle in the middle of a work conference. I learned this one the hard way. Dance floors at conferences are tough. You....you had to be there. 

#3- Don't be afraid to ask for support. Tough times know no schedule, and I experienced a few personal setbacks and issues while working for YP! Some of the best support and comfort I received was from my co-workers and the YP! network. Without their kind words, advice, and love, I would not have been able to overcome the problems I had as completely as I did. I owe everyone in my network so much for their awesome support to me. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. 

#2- Always take the strength-based approach. In my life, I have never felt so accomplished as I have when working on projects and presentations for YP! Not just because of the hard work I put into everything, but by the fact that YP! taught me to look at the victories first. It didn't matter if I had ten people at a presentation or fifty. What mattered what how many young people listened to be and walked out of that room feeling like they could make a difference. No one is perfect, and no one project is going to ever turn out to be spotless. Look back at what you've done thus far, and you will see exactly how strong you are. Not everyone can go as far as I did, and do what I've done for youth in the state. 

#1- Youth have power. Every single youth I've met in my 2-1/2 years here has taught me part of this lesson. Yes, that includes YOU! As a teenager, I felt powerless much of the time, and often I surrendered my will to that of the adults in my life. I felt there was no other way. Then I saw that youth advocacy not only existed, but thrived. You are showing the world that young people have the right to lead their lives with happiness, safety, freedom, and security. I am in awe of so many of you, and it is your stories and victories that are inspiring me to continue the good fight for youth and young adult empowerment. I only hope you keep it up, and never let that power get away from you.
And to end this farewell with a theater cliché (by quoting a musical): "Who can say that I've been changed for the better? Because I knew you, I have been changed for good." YOUTH POWER! has given me one of the best times of my life thus far, and I hope it continues to do amazing things for everyone in New York State.   

Until we meet again, I remain forever youthful and empowered, 

Colleen Deitrich 

The Regional Youth Partners are peer leaders that connect local youth groups, coordinate regional youth advocacy efforts and provide technical assistance on youth engagement and peer support. RYPs help to increase youth voice on all levels of youth services. They are our field organizers, working to make our youth movement stronger. 

 
QUALIFICATIONS:
 Must have personal life experience accessing children's mental health services and be willing to share this information publicly. Additional experience with Disability, Foster Care, Addiction, or Juvenile Justice is beneficial.
 Bachelor's or Associates Degree preferred but not required
 Must have valid driver's license and reliable transportation
 Must be able to travel

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:
 Independently motivated
 Excellent coordination and organization skills
 Experience with youth leadership and advocacy
 Experience with peer support preferred
 Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
 Demonstrated ability to engage with diverse groups
 Demonstrated ability to speak with small and large groups of people
 Experience with various software packages: Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Go-To, Google applications

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Regional Representation
o Establish contacts within region

Network Organized Youth Involvement, Empowerment and Peer support
o Build and sustain a network of groups & councils to collaborate and share information
o Coordinate at least one Regional Youth Forum per year
o Host regional meetings of youth coordinators/advocates/facilitators

Directly Assist & Support Youth Groups and Councils
o Assist groups in starting up & sustaining
o Attend youth groups & councils to see how they do things, learn from them and provide support and feedback if needed
o Help to set up meetings with service providers & government officials for systems advocacy

Train and Educate Youth and Adults
o Provide educational and empowerment activities related to YP!'s mission areas
o Provide education on grass-roots organizing and sustainability strategies
o Offer training to adult allies, government entities, agencies and organizations on youth engagement and youth guided services

Increase Youth Involvement & Advocacy
o Identify youth leaders to participate in regional and local planning councils
o Participate in the regional technical assistance team of CCSI
o Organize regional youth input for statewide advocacy, as well as helping to increase youth involvement locally and regionally

Additional Obligations
o Develop outreach materials
o Input daily reporting
o Produce a monthly report of job activities
o Attend statewide staff meetings
o Collaborate with the Office of Mental Health Division of Children and Families regional coordinators, Families Together in New York State chapters, Parent Advisors and New York State Success
o Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of YOUTH POWER!

Location: Amnityville, NY

Counties: Nassau and Suffolk

Click here for the job posting.

Salary: Low to mid $30s with full benefits

Location: Applicant must reside in one of the twenty counties in the region. Preferred: Syracuse or Utica

Central Region Counties: Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Clinton, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, Saint Lawrence

Click here for the job posting.

Salary: Low 30's with full benefits

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applicants must send a resume with a formal cover letter in order to be considered. The letter should indicate the title of the position that the applicant is seeking.

Mail to:
YOUTH POWER!
Attn: Management Office
737 Madison Avenue, Albany NY 12208 

Email to [email protected] with the Subject "Central RYP" or "LI RYP"  

The Youth Engagement Coordinator will coordinate a team of young leaders who provide technical assistance to Counties and ensure that New York State Success is youth-guided.

STATUS: Part time, hourly ($12-$16 per hour).

LOCATION: Albany or Rochester, New York

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Personal life experience in child serving systems (juvenile justice, behavioral/mental health, child welfare, and drug & alcohol, etc.).
• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent is required.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE 

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent coordination and organization skills
• Attentive to details
• Team leadership skills
• Experience with youth leadership and advocacy
• Demonstrated ability to engage with diverse groups
• Advanced skills with software packages: Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Go-To, and Google application
• Preferred familiarity with the children's mental health services

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensures youth participation in all aspects of Upstate NY SOC Expansion including the advisory board, subcommittees and other work teams
• Coordinates a team of young leaders to provide technical assistance and guidance to Counties
• Works with evaluators and other staff to ensure the youth perspective is effectively reflected in evaluation and quality assurance/improvement activities
• Works with the Technical Assistant Coordinator to assure that training needs of youth are met so that they may be meaningful participants in the process
• Provides systems advocacy by working with partners to fully integrate youth guided practices and partnerships
• Works with the Social Marketer to identify marking strategies to effectively reach youth and identify best practices for engaging/involving youth at the community level
• Supports the Learning Collaborative by providing training and consultation on youth engagement at the system and practice level and youth guided care
• Serves as a member of the Innovation Funding Pool review committee to award and oversee application from communities participating in the Learning Collaborative

APPLICATION PROCESS: 
Applicants must send a resume with a formal cover letter in order to be considered. The letter should indicate the tile of the position that the applicant is seeking.

Mail to:
YOUTH POWER!
Attn: Management Office
737 Madison Avenue, Albany NY 12208

Email to: [email protected] Use the Subject "Youth Engagement Coordinator" 

Click here for the job posting.

The Youth Engagement Consultant will coordinate YP!'s youth employment initiative. The initiative will utilize webinars and in-person workshops and trainings to engage youth, young adults and the Department of Labor's Career Centers for the purpose of increasing youth employment competencies.

STATUS: Contract through June, 2015. Full time (35 hours), hourly ($15 per hour), benefits package including: health, dental and vision insurance and employee sponsored Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan, life insurance, sick, personal and vacation (1 week after six months of service), time and access to Employee Assistance Program. 

LOCATION: Albany, NY

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Personal life experience with a disability or experience in child serving systems (juvenile justice, behavioral/mental health, child welfare, and drug & alcohol, etc.)
• Bachelor's Degree (must have obtained or be in pursuit of the degree)

• Excellent coordination and organization skills
• Experience with youth leadership and advocacy
• Experience with youth programs and/or workforce development preferred
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to engage with diverse groups
• Demonstrated ability to speak with small and large groups
• Experience with various software packages: Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Go-To, Google applications;

Youth Employment Initiative:

• Coordinate Skill Building Workshops: develop a skill building workshop for youth, young adults and youth professionals to introduce resources that support career exploration, self-advocacy and post-secondary education planning.
• Youth Webinars: Develop webinars for youth to address critical education/workforce topics. Develop materials as well as identify nationally recognized guest presenters if needed.
• Adult Webinars:  Coordinate webinars for adult allies, youth service professionals and community partners and cover such topics as youth engagement, youth cultural competence and mentoring of Youth Peer Advocates.
• Youth Self-Advocacy Trainings:  Coordinate three-hour training sessions provided to youth professionals and Youth Peer Advocates utilizing a career focused Youth Self Advocacy Training compiled of national resource material.
• Complete required reporting
• Present on and for the initiative as needed
• Incorporate personal experience into presentations and systems advocacy efforts
• Participate in required YP! network activities and team meetings
• Complete tasks as assigned by the Executive Director of YP!

Applicants must send a resume with a formal cover letter in order to be considered. The letter should indicate the tile of the position that the applicant is seeking.

Mail to:
YOUTH POWER!
Attn: Management Office
737 Madison Avenue, Albany NY 12208

Email to: [email protected] Use the Subject "Youth Engagement Consultant"

 

Click here for more information.

The UYP! Registration fee is $600 and will include: 

• All classes and student activities
• Student handbook and University of YP! t-shirt
• Overnight lodging on July 28, 29 and 30
• Meals on campus on July 28, 29, 30 and 31

The New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) is offering a fellowship program for those student who are interested in adding the concentration of Addiction to their major.  This fellowship will include full coverage of registration fees and opportunities to engage in OASAS advisory activities.  More information on the fellowship will be available at http://www.youthpowerny.org/uyp/

Youth Advocate Supervisors should consider this a great training and networking opportunity for their employees.  

For more information visit our website, follow our daily UYP! Tips on facebook,