Professional Mentor "Friend" – Denver, CO

Friends of the Children Colorado is looking for a passionate committed Friend (professional mentor). Our mission is to impact generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with highly trained full-time professional mentors12 yearsno matter what.

Basic Function:

We are currently seeking a mentor to serve as a positive adult role model to eight elementary children and develop loving caring and sustained relationships with each child. For each child a Friend will set positive expectations; nurture and promote each childs strengths talents and abilities; help ensure physical and emotional well-being; teach life and academic skills; provide enrichment activities; and model responsible behavior. A Friend will fully document activities and participate in the ongoing evaluation process. Friends will work primarily one-on-one with the children they serve while also building trusting supportive relationships with parents/caregivers. A Friend must know understand honor and support the organizations mission vision values and principles and be able to clearly articulate the organizations function.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Develop and sustain a long-term caring protective and loving relationship with each child.
• Spend time with children one-on-one.
• Partner with parents/caregivers to provide concrete and social emotional supports for the family.
• Set realistic expectations and goals based on each childs strengths talents abilities and needs.
• Teach life skills and help develop a talent/skill/area of interest with each child.
• Provide enrichment resources and activities that include opportunities for identity development.
• Develop positive relationships with families teachers and others involved in each childs life.
• Reinforce basic academic skills.
• Maintain a 40-hour work schedule that includes afternoons evenings and weekends (normal working days are Tuesday through Saturday with Sundays and Mondays off).
• Maintain spending within budgetary guidelines.
• Complete distribute and collect time summaries activity journals short-term plans expense reports and evaluations materials accurately and in a timely manner.
• Attend and actively participate in team meeting and staff functions.
• Maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
• Transport children in personal vehicle as required for mentoring activities.
• Provide information and support to the development and executive team on related activities. Fulfill other responsibilities as requested.

The ideal candidate will have the following Education Experience and Abilities:

• 2 or 4-year degree
• Alternatively at least seven years progressive experience working with children and families will be considered in lieu of a college degree
• Willingness to commit for a minimum of three years.
• Bilingual Spanish language skills are preferred
• Advocate to secure additional resources opportunities and services for youth as appropriate
• Assist with systems navigation in schools to secure conditions for optimal academic success
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with children in varied capacities and settings
• Ability to develop trusting relationships with children families teachers and others involved in each childs life
• Ability to work independently and as a team player
• Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• A sense of humor is a plu

Working Hours and Conditions:

This is a full-time non-exempt position.

Due to the nature of aFriendsrole the work hours are somewhat non-traditional and may include late afternoon evening and weekend work.

• We recognize that eachFriendsdaily work schedule will vary due to the unusual nature of the role and the needs of the individual children being served.
• The program requires that you see each of your assigned children both in and outside of school and/or daycare for an average of four hours each week although how you accomplish that is at your discretion within established program guidelines.
• Friends must be comfortable actively engaging in activities with youth in community settings such as parks libraries and schools.

As part of Friends work with youth they are required to transport children in their personal vehicles as required for mentoring activities. Childrens car seats and mileage reimbursements are provided. Friends are required to maintain a current drivers license good driving record and vehicle insurance.

Benefits

Friends of the Children Colorado cares about the health and well-being of our employees We offer generous vacation and sick leave paid time off paid holidays a comprehensive medical benefits package a 401(k) retirement plan and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Employees can add optional plans at employee expense which include medical coverage for dependents a Flexible Spending Account and supplemental life insurance.

Salary Range

• $50k - $55k annually

Location: Denver Colorado

Job Closing:December 31 2025 at 5 PM

Cover Letter: Applications without cover letters will not be considered; please use this as an opportunity to convey why you want to be a Professional Mentor at Friends of the Children - Colorado!

Friends of the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to addressing discriminatory practices. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

Friends of the Children is growing rapidly as communities across the country are experiencing the power of how One changes a childs story: One Friend. One Child. 12 years. No matter what. #ThePowerOfOne

To learn more about Friends of the Children go to: Experience:

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