REACH Background:

Refugee Education & Adventure Challenge (REACH) annually engages more than 100 refugee youth and family members from places like Afghanistan, Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, and Syria in experiential learning activities focused on STEAM education and adventure sports. Programs include summer and weekend adventure camps, adventure-based ESL, peer mentoring and leadership development, nature playgroups for mothers with small children, and other support services (adjustment, high school and college readiness, career planning, etc.).

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Position:

The Community Outreach Coordinator will be responsible for outreaching and connecting community organizations and leaders to the Forest Preserves of Cook County, which will include some collaboration with REACH’s Weekend Adventure and Summer Adventure Camps and Peer Mentor Leadership Program. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is an ideal list, candidates that do not have all of the qualifications, but who have sufficient experience and talent, will be seriously considered for the position.

 

The position is part-time, hourly, not to exceed 800 hours, between October 1, 2023 and September 31, 2024 with an option to continue if grant contract is renewed. The hourly wage is $17.50. Work may include, but is not limited to, extended hours in an outdoor setting, routine exposure to the elements, lifting, biking, climbing, paddling, hiking, and van driving.

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Duties and Responsibilities:

 

Outreach & Engagement

• Outreach via emails and phone calls to leaders and/or staff members at local organizations to request intro meetings or follow ups.

• Conduct introductory in-person meetings with at least 5 institutions or community groups per month.

• Participate in multiple outdoor and indoor cultural and community events (e.g., World Refugee Day, Holi Festival of Colors, Taste of Polonia, Día de Los Muertos, Argyle Lunar New Year) throughout the year to connect with newcomer residents and institutional leaders.

• Participate in curriculum and activities planning, staff meetings and conferences.

• Canvass business corridors where newcomer residents may shop or conduct business.

• Establish and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, such as resettlement agencies, schools, faith groups, libraries, public officials, and others in immigrant neighborhoods in Cook County.

• Coordinate and host focus groups with institutions and community groups, as needed.

• Outreach public officials and encourage them to share information with their constituents and request that they share information about upcoming community events with REACH.

• Visit and engage local institutions and community groups more than once throughout the year, with a focus on building trusting relationships and helping Forest Preserves staff to continue to develop those relationships and partnerships.

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Program Implementation

• Identify potential partners and research their missions, goals, services and/or products.

• Develop a spreadsheet or database of prospective partner institutions and leaders.

• Connect community organizations and leaders in newcomer communities directly to appropriate FPCC staff.

• Help local groups navigate the FPCC process for activities in the preserves by coordinating at least 3 workshop trainings per month with community groups at an FPCC site or in-house to lead them through the various permit application, gear or bus request, and/or campsite reservation processes.

• Meet monthly with FPCC staff to review mission and objectives of Project, give or receive feedback regarding progress, and assist with any troubleshooting.

• Meet bi-monthly (twice/month) with REACH Executive Director. to review objectives, share resources and define plans.

• Complete Nature Ambassador and Trail Watch Trainings as well as REACH Group Leadership Trainings.

• Plan and implement monthly meet-ups at a local preserve (e.g., simple sensory walk and scavenger hunt, tent assembly practice, kayak basics, macroinvertebrate investigation, capoeira, birdwatching).

• Coordinate transportation, refreshments, and volunteers for all monthly meet-ups.

• Support FPCC with other events held in the forest preserves at least once a month.

• Work closely with REACH Executive Director to develop program curricula, session lesson plans and/or meeting agendas

• Research outdoor education and STEAM activities and adapt them to specific lesson plans or training agendas.

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Media & Marketing

• Touch base with FPCC staff to facilitate connections and create social media posts and fliers for wider outreach.

• Co-develop and distribute FPCC information forms and event fliers (in multiple languages) at various outdoor and indoor community events.

• Explore and use local ethnic and community-based media sites, organizational newsletters, and legislative community feeds to advertise Forest Preserves events and to solicit interest in providing meaningful input via online surveys or polls (ideally, in multiple languages).

• Produce and share program information and events via REACH social media platforms.

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Organization/Program Advocacy

• Research helpful resources that will aid in developing, expanding, or strengthening activities that REACH conducts in the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

• Showcase the impact and stories of REACH to the public, when appropriate, to highlight the organization's strengths and achievements.

• Attend and engage in coalition and community meetings and build community allies.

• Coordinate Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with key partner institutions.

• Develop internal materials to educate and inform REACH board, staff, volunteers, and donors about the program.

• Encourage REACH board, staff, volunteers, and donors to actively engage in the program and provide them with guidance and feedback to increase their knowledge and input.

• Collect and analyze data to measure and report on the program's successes and share them with REACH Data Assistant and Executive Director.

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Volunteer Coordination

• Invite community members to “volunteer” at monthly meet-ups in the forest preserves where they can observe or assist with REACH Adventure Camp or Peer Mentor Leadership session activities.

• Train REACH volunteers and interns on how to use FPCC resources and follow FPCC procedures.

• Organize and facilitate regular workshops for REACH volunteers, interns, and partners on topics relevant to our work and community, in collaboration with other REACH staff.

• Assist in the coordination and supervision of volunteers for special events as requested by the REACH Executive Director.

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Needed Qualifications:

• 66 hours per month, including at least three weekend days per month

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, particularly the ability to work with multiple constituencies across communication platforms

• Strong dependability and willingness to be part of a small, interdependent team

• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks

• Strong intercultural competence and ability to work sensitively and effectively with individuals of diverse educational, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds

• Proficiency in MS Office and general computer and technology skills

• Independent, critical thinker with strong problem-solving ability, patience, and flexibility in face of constantly changing situations

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience required; Background in outdoor recreation, immigrant services, or education preferred

• Fluency in Spanish required

• Experience working with newcomer populations or at-risk children and youth preferred

• Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays

• Driver’s license preferred

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Certifications/Clearances Required:

• Criminal background checks and child abuse clearances

• Willing to obtain certification in CPF/First Aid or Wilderness First Aid

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Reports to: REACH Executive Director

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Application Procedures:

Submit a brief cover letter and resume to reachinchicago@gmail.com with the subject heading “Application for REACH Adventure-Based English Instructor Position.”

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Refugee Education & Adventure Challenge (REACH provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

 

At REACH, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core our mission. We are committed to fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion and equity for refugee youth and their families in the U.S. We believe that every person deserves respect, dignity and opportunity regardless of their background, identity or circumstances. We strive to create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where refugee youth and their families can thrive, learn and contribute to their new communities. We collaborate with partners across sectors to advocate for the rights and needs of refugee youth and their families and to promote access and inclusion for all.