Head Mentor

About Enlace Chicago:

Enlace Chicago convenes, organizes and builds the capacity of stakeholders of Little Village to confront systemic inequities and barriers to economic and social access. The organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of Little Village residents by fostering a safe and healthy environment and by championing opportunities for educational advancement and economic development. It is committed to accountability and transparency to ensure integrity, believes in building community power through collaboration and grassroots leadership, promotes livable communities with access and opportunity for all, and values social justice and systems change. Currently, our Education, Community Safety, Clinical Services, Community Health, and Immigration and Advocacy Departments work to provide vital services and support to the very valuable residents of the Little Village community.

Position Overview:

The Head Peer Mentor(HPM) will work alongside the College and Career Pipeline Advocate to support Little Village young adults ages 18-24 with their post-secondary plan after high school graduation. The HPM will support the implementation and facilitation of the Peer Mentor and Future Forward programs. The HPM will provide direct support to the Peer Mentors and oversee a small cohort of Future Forward participants. The HPM will also work to increase parent engagement by providing workshops and being in communication with our participants’ families. They will find ways to collaborate and bridge the gap between all the departments at Enlace Chicago.

Key Responsibilities:

Implementing, Collaborating and Organizing

• Support in the creation of a curriculum for parent engagement workshops.
• Plan and facilitate parent workshops at least once a month.
•  Find ways to collaborate with other Enlace Chicago departments.

Communication and Referrals

• Maintain regular communication with Peer Mentors via text message and email for additional support.
• Support a small cohort of Future Forward participants with coaching, sharing information and resources.
• Support Peer Mentors with special cases, the HPM should help look for resources and ways to support the participant.
• Regularly communicate and troubleshoot with the College and Career Pipeline advocate.

Accountability

• Attend and participate in partner meetings with College and Career staff.
•  Attend and be on time to all Peer Mentor meetings, professional development opportunities, team building activities and celebrations.
• Work 20 hours per week.

Special Projects

• Oversee social media presence in collaboration with College and Career Advocate and two mentors.

Core Competencies:

Team Leadership

• Motivate, inspire and guide Peer Mentors to reach their highest potential.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

• Analyze situations that the Peer Mentors are facing, identify issues or problems, and work to develop solutions to better support the team.
•  Recognize issues and know how to troubleshoot.

Social awareness and relationship building

• Be able to understand others’ perspectives and backgrounds to build strong relationships.

Innovation and Creativity

• Being able to generate new ideas, and creative ways to engage families.

Public Speaking

• Communicate effectively to a group, facilitate workshops, and lead activities.

Additional Qualifications:

• 3.0 GPA (good academic standing)
• Currently enrolled in College/University (preferably 3rd or 4th year)
• Lives in Little Village OR graduated from a Little Village high school
• Fully Bilingual in English and Spanish (speak, read, and write)

Compensation: $20/hour

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:

At Enlace Chicago, we are deeply committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued. We believe that diverse perspectives are essential to addressing the complex social challenges we seek to solve, and we strive to create a culture that promotes belonging, respect, and opportunity for all. Our mission is rooted in uplifting the stories of those who have been historically marginalized, and we actively work to ensure that our programs, partnerships, and workplace reflect these values. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and encourage candidates who share our passion for social justice, equity, and inclusion to apply.

Enlace Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Deadline for submission: Open until filled.