JOB POSTING: STUDENT AND FAMILY ADVOCATE (SFA)
THE ACCN
The African Canadian Christian Network (ACCN) is a not-for-profit organization created to improve life outcomes for Black youth and families in the Greater Toronto Area.
We are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Black youth by fostering equitable environments where they can achieve academic success, become leaders and role models, and make positive contributions as citizens of their communities. We serve these young people by partnering with governments, corporations, community organizations and individuals.
We also offer advocacy and support to parents of black students through our Parent2Parent (P2P) program, providing tools to raise resilient Black children.
THE LANDSCAPE AND THE NEED
Black students experience anti-Black racism within many of the systems that govern their lives. These systems include, but not limited to education, child welfare and mental health, where they face systemic barriers to success. ACCN is hiring a Student and Family Advocate (SFA) who will be responsible for advocating on behalf of Black students and families as they navigate these systems whose constructs create disadvantages to Black communities.
We are seeking a dynamic individual who is passionate about helping Black youth succeed. The successful incumbent must have lived experience, and an in-depth knowledge of the issues faced by the Black community. The SFA will be instrumental in resolving issues, and creating positive outcomes from interactions with specific systems, while driving transformational change for Black students.
THE INCUMBENT
The incumbent will provide advocacy supports, culturally relevant mentorship, navigational supports, referrals, and workshop sessions on anti-Black racism. Catchment area is the GTHA (GTA – Toronto, Halton, Peel, York, Durham) and Hamilton.
The knowledge, skills and supports, will also empower families to advocate on behalf of their children and to navigate systems (e.g. participate in educational decisions and processes such as family/teacher meetings; and understand their rights under the relevant policies and practices of the Education Act).
The SFA will work with Black students and families to identify their needs, aspirations, and goals, and to implement culturally relevant and actionable plans to help them respond effectively to barriers to success, pursue opportunities, and self-advocate.
See attached for more details, and to apply.