Youth Advocate - Residential Support

Youth Advocate

• Residential Support Type: Full-Time (40 hours/week), Non-Exempt Reports To: Youth Services Manager Location: In-person, San Francisco, CA About LYRIC Since 1988, LYRIC (Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center) has been a home base for LGBTQQ+ youth in San Francisco. Each year, we support nearly 2,000 young people through programs rooted in love, equity, and youth leadership. Our mission is simple and powerful: to build community and inspire social change through education enhancement, career training, health promotion, and leadership development. With a $4M+ budget and a dedicated staff team, LYRIC is a place where young people—especially trans, nonbinary, BIPOC, disabled, undocumented, and system-impacted youth—can lead, heal, and thrive. What’s This Role All About? We're looking for a Youth Advocate to join our Youth Services Team and support LGBTQQ+ youth and young adults through LYRIC's community-based programs and supportive housing initiatives. Youth Advocates play a critical role in program planning, implementation, and evaluation while providing direct services, case management, youth leadership development, housing stabilization support, and community-building opportunities. This role works closely with youth experiencing housing instability, homelessness, mental health challenges, system involvement, and other barriers to well-being. In addition to providing case management and facilitating youth development programming, Youth Advocates support formerly homeless young adults living in LYRIC-affiliated housing programs by promoting housing stability, independent living skills, and community engagement. This is a full-time, in-person position. Occasional evenings, weekends, and participation in crisis response may be required. What You'll Do Direct Support, Case Management & Housing Stabilization
• Provide youth-centered, culturally responsive case management and advocacy services for LGBTQQ+ youth and young adults.
• Conduct intakes, assessments, goal planning, and individualized service plans using strength-based, trauma-informed, and social justice-centered approaches.
• Maintain an active caseload and support participants in achieving goals related to housing, education, employment, health, financial stability, and personal development.
• Provide supportive residential services for formerly homeless LGBTQQ+ young adults living in LYRIC-affiliated housing programs.
• Build trusting relationships with youth and residents while fostering a safe, welcoming, affirming, and community-oriented environment.
• Conduct regular wellness check-ins and provide ongoing support to promote housing retention, personal growth, and overall well-being.
• Assist residents in developing independent living skills, including budgeting, meal planning, housekeeping, time management, communication, conflict resolution, and navigating landlord-tenant relationships.
• Support participants in accessing healthcare, behavioral health services, public benefits, employment resources, educational opportunities, legal services, and other community resources.
• Ensure smooth transitions between LYRIC services, housing programs, and external systems of care.
• Provide crisis intervention, conflict mediation, de-escalation, and safety planning in response to emergencies, mental health concerns, interpersonal conflicts, and housing-related issues.
• Support residents in understanding and complying with housing policies, community agreements, and program expectations using restorative justice and harm reduction practices. Youth Development & Program Facilitation
• Develop, implement, and evaluate youth development programming rooted in evidence-based and culturally responsive practices.
• Facilitate support groups, leadership development programs, workshops, and skill-building activities.
• Develop and deliver curriculum utilizing popular education, thematic learning, and project-based approaches.
• Create opportunities for youth leadership, civic engagement, peer mentorship, and community building.
• Supervise, coach, and mentor youth leaders and facilitators.
• Support youth in identifying strengths, building resilience, and developing pathways toward self-determination. Outreach & Community Partnerships
• Conduct outreach to high-need communities, including QTBIPOC youth, undocumented youth, youth experiencing homelessness, disabled youth, youth engaged in survival economies, and youth living with chronic health needs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with schools, supportive housing providers, healthcare organizations, community-based organizations, and public agencies.
• Coordinate referrals and collaborate with service providers to ensure comprehensive and coordinated support for participants.
• Represent LYRIC at community events, coalitions, meetings, and outreach activities.
• Coordinate and support youth-led events, workshops, and community gatherings. Documentation & Collaboration
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records across multiple databases and reporting systems.
• Document participant contacts, assessments, service plans, referrals, housing-related incidents, and progress toward goals.
• Complete data entry and reporting requirements in accordance with organizational, funder, and regulatory standards.
• Coordinate closely with case managers, behavioral health providers, property management staff, and community partners to support participant success and housing stability.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, supervision, organizational retreats, and team-building activities. Additional Duties
• Support organization-wide events, initiatives, and special projects.
• Participate in emergency response, on-call coverage, or crisis support as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Show up for youth and community with heart, integrity, accountability, and vision. Who You Are You are passionate about supporting LGBTQQ+ youth and young adults and committed to social justice, youth empowerment, and housing stability. Required Qualifications
• At least 2 years of experience in youth development, case management, supportive housing, residential services, homelessness services, program coordination, or direct service work.
• Experience working in supportive housing, transitional housing, or residential programs.
• Experience working with LGBTQQ+ youth and young adults.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, positive youth development, restorative practices, and harm reduction approaches.
• Experience providing crisis intervention, conflict mediation, and de-escalation support.
• Familiarity with issues impacting youth experiencing homelessness, housing instability, foster care involvement, or system involvement.
• Strong group facilitation, relationship-building, and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to maintain accurate documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, and online data management systems.
• Ability to work effectively in a multiracial, multicultural, multi-gendered, and intergenerational environment.
• Knowledge of San Francisco and Bay Area resources serving LGBTQQ+ communities and youth of color.
• Experience developing curriculum and facilitating youth leadership programs. Compensation & Benefits Hourly Wage: $30.58/hour (40 hours/week) LYRIC utilizes an equity-based compensation model. Compensation is determined by role and tenure and is not negotiable. Benefits Include • $800 annual Health & Wellness Cash Supplement • $1,000 annual Professional Development Fund
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and acupuncture/chiropractic coverage
• Optional Health FSA and commuter benefits
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match Paid Time Off
• 19 paid holidays, including birthday leave and winter closure
• 19 vacation days
• 18 sick days
• 1 personal day