Overview

Community Connections for Youth (CCFY), Inc. is a Bronx-based non-profit organization whose mission is to empower grassroots faith and neighborhood organizations to develop effective community-driven alternatives to incarceration for youth. CCFY builds community capacity for juvenile justice reform through advocacy, through its model programs for youth and families in the South Bronx, and through training and technical assistance for our partners.

Position

CCFY seeks a full-time Community Organizing and Partnerships Liaison to spearhead the expansion of our current network of partners in the South Bronx and New York City. CCFY’s goal is to disrupt pipelines that lead to deeper system involvement for youth. The Liaison will serve as the person who concerns themselves with the necessary relationships it takes to interrupt this juvenile justice system trajectory. The Liaison will know the community, map the authentic community-rooted assets and attend any opportunities where CCFY and its mission should and can be represented.  Their overall responsibility will be to beacon our work and the opportunities CCFY offers and build bridges that bring us closer to supporting justice-system involved youth and families. The Liaison will create awareness and represent the interests of CCFY of centering grassroots organizations in being the solution to the justice system.

The Community Organizing and Partnerships Liaison will support CCFY’s leadership and programs by bridging knowledge and information gained to develop strategies and launch ideas that will better serve youth, families and the organizations we support. The Liaison will report to the Executive Director and will be responsible for facilitating gatherings, learning and development among the community and CCFY’s local grassroots community partners through the South Bronx Community Connections (SBCC) program.

Responsibilities

  • Cultivate and sustain relationships with community members, community partners, system agencies, institutions, and key stakeholders in relation to the juvenile justice system in NYC;
  • Develop advocacy skills and strengthen the capacity of staff and community members to advocate the community as the solution.
  • Develop and carry out community-based asset mapping efforts
  • Sustain and develop partnerships with key youth justice stakeholders who can provide an in-road for youth to be served by SBCC and it’s network
  • Represent CCFY at various community events, meetings, and media events;
  • Provide education, training, and create awareness among the community on issues, topics and best practices related to community-driven Alternatives to Incarceration 
  • Work under the supervision of the Executive Director in strategic planning around partnerships and funding opportunities
  • Create a platform for the community to form alliances that help with advocacy and sharing solutions
  • Critical analysis of the different methods of learning and gathering through a diversity, equity and inclusion lens, as well as honoring the unique expertise of directly impacted community members.
  • Engage legislation and policies that affect justice-involved youth in the Bronx and New York City.
  • Work alongside the SBCC and Training teams to integrate knowledge and opportunities gained in the community. 
  • Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director

Qualifications

The Liaison will be thoroughly committed to CCFY’s mission of empowering grassroots faith and neighborhood organizations, and will have demonstrated experience in youth development, alternatives to incarceration, community capacity building, and organizing. 

The Liaison will have the following qualifications

  • Master’s degree in relative field or comparable experience
  • At least 5 years experience in networking/relationship building among impacted communities and stakeholders
  • Alternatives to Incarceration initiatives: 5 years or more required.
  • Social work background and/or prior experience working with people with a history of incarceration preferred.  
  • Unwavering commitment to justice for youth, community empowerment, social, racial, and economic justice, and youth development.
  • Ability to facilitate, instruct, teach in various sectors
  • Ability to hold space for both directly affected community members and justice system personnel.
  • Outgoing, self-aware personality and ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds.  
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills and self-motivation.  
  • Positive, proactive and personable team player.  Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.   
  • Special interest in building power among marginalized people to fight for social, economic and racial justice
  • Integrity in leadership marked by demonstrated track record of practicing the values of CCFY in everyday life and relationships as well as professional practice.
  • Travel outside of NYC for CCFY’s national work 25% or more of time.
  • All applicants must comply with CCFY’s vaccination policy and will be required to provide verification that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (with an FDA-authorized vaccine).