Reach & Rise 1:1 Program Director

General Function:

Under the supervision of local executive leadership and in close alignment with the YMCA 

Reach & Rise National Director, the Reach & Rise Program Director is responsible for the overall 

execution, ongoing development, and clinical oversight of the YMCA’s National Reach & Rise® 

1:1 Mentoring Program at the local association level.

Serving as the clinical lead for the program, the Program Director implements a therapeutic, 

trauma-informed, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-informed mentoring model. This 

position manages risk, delivers clinical case management, and establishes vital community 

linkages. The Director leads local volunteer recruitment, screening, match generation, 

parent/family engagement, and ongoing clinical match support while upholding uniformity in 

CBT curriculum delivery, research data collection, and OJJDP federal grant compliance

PROGRAM MODEL OVERVIEW

Reach & Rise® is an evidence-based, therapeutic youth mentoring program designed for youth 

(ages 6–17) facing mental health setbacks, trauma, low self-esteem, or family/peer conflict. The 

1:1 model pairs a vulnerable youth with a trained adult volunteer mentor for 12 to 18 months. 

The program integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles—such as cognitive 

reframing, emotional regulation, mood mapping, and positive coping mechanisms—into 

everyday mentor-mentee interactions to promote resilience, academic connectedness, and risk 

reduction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Clinical Oversight & Cognitive Behavioral Support

• Serve as the resident mental health subject matter expert, integrating cognitive behavioral 

principles and trauma-informed practices into all mentor interactions and match activities.

• Conduct clinical assessments, evaluate mental health and developmental needs, and craft 

individualized Mentee Growth Plans utilizing evidence-based intervention techniques.

• Facilitate 18 hours of pre-match training modules for adult volunteer mentors, focusing on 

youth development, cultural humility, boundary setting, and practical CBT tools (e.g., 

reframing negative thinking, mindfulness, problem-solving).

• Deliver ongoing clinical match supervision, monthly check-ins, crisis intervention, and 

mandated reporting compliance to ensure safety and risk mitigation.

Volunteers, Families & Case Management

• Execute proactive recruitment, screening, interviewing, and background checks for adult 

volunteer mentors (ages 21+).

• Provide comprehensive case management and wrap-around support services to mentees 

and their families, connecting them to community resources, food security programs, and 

external mental health care as needed.

• Guide mentors, youth, and caregivers in tracking progress against growth plan goals during 

regular match check-ins.

Community Partnerships & Network Building

• Build and sustain strong community relationships with schools, youth service bureaus, 

juvenile justice partners, pediatric clinics, and local community-based organizations to 

establish robust referral pipelines.

• Serve as an ambassador for Reach & Rise, promoting the program’s therapeutic benefits 

and fostering cross-departmental collaboration across local YMCA branches and community 

events.

• Ensure program strategies and mentor recruitment reflect the cultural, socioeconomic, and 

generational diversity of the local community served.

Grant Management, Research & Administration

• Oversee full compliance with OJJDP federal grant guidelines, partnership agreements, 

contract deliverables, and budget tracking.

• Participate as a practitioner-researcher in ongoing research studies; collect, maintain, and 

submit accurate mentor/mentee assessment data and outcome metrics according to grant 

deadlines.

• Maintain accurate case records, contact logs, and database entries in the centralized 

platform.

KNOW-HOW & QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), Counseling, Psychology, or a closely related 

mental health field (LCSW, LMFT, or license-eligible preferred).

Experience: Minimum of 2–3 years of clinical, youth development, or case management 

experience working with at-risk youth and diverse family systems.

Therapeutic Expertise: Strong understanding of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 

techniques, trauma-informed care, and youth mental health interventions.

Leadership & Autonomy: Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, 

demonstrate strong leadership, and make sound clinical decisions with minimal direct 

supervision.

Community Engagement: Demonstrated skill in volunteer recruitment, public presentation, 

community outreach, and cross-cultural communication.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess the visual, auditory, and physical capabilities to perform essential job 

functions, with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends for 

volunteer training and community events.

• Travel required to local program activity sites, schools, and community meetings.

• LiveScan fingerprinting and Department of Justice background clearance required prior to 

employment