Are you a person of compassion? An advocate for justice? Someone who stands up for the rights of the vulnerable and speaks out for the marginalized, the exploited and the forgotten? Do you believe in our calling as Christians to welcome the least of these and love our neighbor?
If you answered ‘yes’, to any of the above, World Relief, and millions of people around the world need you.
At this pivotal moment in time, we are rapidly expanding and growing our team to meet the increasing needs of our world. We are looking for people who want to use their gifts and talents to make a real and tangible difference in our world and the lives of the suffering.
If you’re looking for a purpose-driven career in which you can grow your talents, while also standing up for the rights of the vulnerable, we want you to join us today.
ORGANIZATION SUMMARY
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to boldly engage the world’s greatest crises in partnership with the church. The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of war-torn Europe. Since then, for 80 years, across 100 countries, World Relief has partnered with local churches and communities to build a world where families thrive and communities flourish.
Today, organizational programming focuses on humanitarian and disaster response, community strengthening and resilience, and refugee & immigrant services and advocacy.
POSITION SUMMARY:
World Relief seeks a full-time Children & Youth Specialist to help refugee and other immigrant students and their families successful adjust to life in America as a youth. This position has primary responsibility for serving as a liaison between refugee and immigrant families and local preschool, elementary, middle, and high schools. This position will serve families with children from birth to high school graduation and assist in accessing education and other supportive community services.
This position starts as soon as possible and is limited-term through June 30, 2027.
World Relief offers a competitive benefits package and employee discount program for full-time employees.
World Relief is honored to be recognized with the Gold-level Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation for exceeding the core components of our well-being program including leadership and culture, program foundations and execution, and whole person health.
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Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.
For World Relief staff, strong commitment to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief is essential, and Christian faith is a prerequisite for employment, based upon United States federal guidelines provided in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Early Childhood Case Management
- Meet with families who have 0–5-year-old children to determine areas of assistance needed
- Assist with initial WIC enrollment and provide ongoing WIC education
- Educate parents on developmental milestones and work towards achieving them
- Provide parents with an early childhood orientation and additional parent education
- Refer parents to community resources for their child’s needs including Early Intervention and Counseling Services as applicable
- Assist and/or provide information regarding preschool, birth-3 enrollments
- Collaborate with community partners and schools to build meaningful relationships
- Collaborate and communicate with the Intake Team and other WRC staff
- Ongoing participation with weekly parent/child playgroup.
- Advocate for families
K-12 School & Family Services
- Provide support as needed to immigrant youth requiring enrollment in school.
- Assist with fee waivers and free lunch applications as needed.
- Serve as a liaison between families and school staff to assist in problem solving, arrange parent meetings, and facilitate ongoing communication
- Provide initial and ongoing orientation regarding education systems, procedures, and expectations to the families World Relief serves
- Mediate and advocate for school-aged students within school settings
- Conduct periodic information sessions for families addressing a broad range of educational topics
- Refer families to services that will enhance their child’s education and success, such as other after school programs, social services, or medical referrals
Youth Clubs Participation
- Ongoing participation with after school youth clubs with the Youth Clubs team
- Administer and record data for various assessments
- Maintain data of client and volunteer records using databases; ensure that student attendance is taken each week and reported accurately
- Facilitate club enrollment and participation for new immigrant youth
Administrative Responsibilities
- Maintain accurate reporting records, case-notes, and student files
- Actively participate in department meetings, staff development opportunities, program trainings, community activities, and organizational events
- In cooperation with WR Chicagoland staff, nurture relationships with program partners including, but not limited to, churches, schools, community agencies, and other service providers
- Mature and personal Christian faith
- Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief
- Desire to serve and empower the Church to impact vulnerable communities
- Able to affirm and/or acknowledge World Reliefs Core Beliefs , Statement of Faith , Christian Identity and National Association of Evangelicals' For the Health of The Nation document
- Valid driver’s license, access to reliable vehicle and ability to pass MVR standards, regular access to a vehicle, and ability/willingness to drive a 15-passenger van
- Direct-service experience with children and/or youth
- Experience using MS Office, Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams
- Highly self-motivated with strong follow-through and problem-solving skills
- Cross-cultural experience
- Experience working with an interpreter
- Fluency in one of the following languages: Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Arabic, Burmese, Swahili, Spanish
- A bachelor's degree in counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, education, vocational counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, family therapy, or a related human services field.