Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC), is a nationally recognized South Brooklyn based, non-profit community development corporation formed in 1978 whose mission is to advance economic and social justice by building vibrant, diverse communities where residents has genuine opportunities to achieve their goals as well as the power to shape the community’s future. FAC works to transform the lives of over 5,500 low and moderate income New Yorkers annually so that we can all live and work with dignity and respect while making our community more equitable, sustainable, inclusive and just.

Families United for Racial and Economic Equality (FUREE) is a member led Brooklyn-based multiracial program under Fifth Avenue Committee led by mostly women of color. FUREE organizes and unites low-income families to build power to fight against systems of oppression so that the work of all people is valued and everyone has the right and ability to decide and live out our own destinies. FUREE uses direct action; leadership development, community organizing and political education to win the changes our members seek. FUREE’s guiding principle is that those directly affected by the policies we are seeking to change should lead campaigns and FUREE’s programs because they are the true experts.

Youth Program Background

FUREE’s youth program –FUREEous Youth– will engage young people between the ages of 14 and 24 through meetings, workshops/trainings, and a range of other activities and outings. This is a program of the organization that has been inactive for several years. Through the consistent recruitment and engagement of young people throughout the initial year of “rebirth” of FUREEous Youth, we aim to maintain a core group of decision-makers and involved youth leaders, to strengthen community participation in FUREE activities among young people in key public housing developments, and to expand the capacity of youth leaders to become more proficient in base-building and campaign organizing. Through recruitment and outreach, one-on-ones, small group meetings, campaign meetings, special events, social media, educational workshops, and other activities, the FUREEous Youth Organizer will facilitate empowerment with our young people. An overarching goal of the program is that youth leaders will play an active role in coming up with creative ideas to reach and to engage their peers to participate in existing campaigns and in campaigns that they create themselves.

Position Overview

The Youth Organizer will be responsible for developing, implementing and directly overseeing our grassroots youth organizing and programming in collaboration with FAC and FUREE, working closely with the FUREE Program Coordinator. The chosen candidate will mobilize targeted youth throughout Brooklyn to engage in leadership development, skills training and organizing around a range of social, racial and housing justice issues. This position reports directly to the Program Coordinator of FUREE and will support FUREE’s Community Organizer.

RESPONSIBILITIES

FUREEous Youth Program In collaboration with Program Coordinator and other organizers:

• Participate in planning meetings, retreats and grant reporting with partner organizations to develop citywide public housing youth contingent.
• Recruit and base-build with a core cohort of at least 10 young people in the initial “rebirth year” of the FUREEous Youth Program.
• Develop and implement FUREEous Youth program and leadership development curriculum.
• Develop, implement and manage a grassroots organizing strategy that will engage youth in advocacy and issue area campaigns.
• Implement youth participation in FUREE campaigns and coalitions on key issues such as the NYCHA Permanent Exclusion Campaign. Support FUREEous Youth to act as organizers, advocates and leaders in both youth and adult-dominant spaces
• Support young people involved with the development and implementation of the above activities.

FUREE and FAC General In collaboration with Program Coordinator and other organizers:

• Participate in membership meetings, staff meetings, professional development activities and community building events.
• Prepare work plans/staff reports to present at check-ins and staff meetings according to schedule.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate records, enter information in database in a timely manner, and compile outcomes and deliverables for funder reports and special events according to organizational protocol.
• Assist in grant reporting for private and government funders as needed.
• Participate in fundraising activities as necessary.
• Assist in office management tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for this position will possess many, if not all, of the following professional qualifications, competencies and personal qualities:

• Undergraduate degree in field related to organizing or youth services and/or at least 2 years of organizing experience, with a focus on youth organizing and leadership building.
• Experience and expertise in community organizing strategies, tactics and grassroots activism.
• Solid understanding and experience with social media campaigning and messaging.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in teams, participate in cross-departmental planning and work with a diverse set of stakeholders, coalitions and partners.
• Strong organizational, administrative and communication skills.
• Strong writing and public speaking skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to multi-task effectively.
• Strong work ethic and ability to self-start and manage.
• Exceptional time management skills, prioritization of tasks as well as ability to work under pressure and meet urgent deadlines effectively and efficiently.
• Flexible work hours, evening and weekend availability, and ability to travel as needed.
• Comfort working in and with diverse communities.
• Strong dedication to social justice, political education and the FUREE mission/core values.
• Sense of humor, humility and respect.
• Bi-lingual Spanish/English speaking a plus but not required.

Compensation:

$20 per hour/21 hours per week

How to Apply:

Please email cover letter and resume by March 15, 2016 to:

Shatia Strother, Program Coordinator

FUREE

388 Atlantic Ave, 2^nd Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11217

Email: shatia@furee.org

Please indicate “FUREE Part-time Youth Organizer “ in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

Fifth Avenue Committee is an equal opportunity employer (EEO).

People of color, community residents, and women are strongly encouraged to apply.