Volunteer Opportunity:

Youth/Police Dialogues Facilitator

General Statement of Duties:

Youth/Police Dialogues (YPD) are a series of facilitated discussions between police officers and Boston teens that aim to improve community safety by building trust, improving communication and breaking down stereotypes between youth and police. YWCA Boston is seeking individuals with relevant experience to facilitate these dialogues.

Each dialogue series is comprised of four 3-hour sessions led by 2 experienced co-facilitators. Facilitators use YWCA Boston's curriculum. Topics include stereotypes, snitching, safety concerns, responsibility to one's community, what's working and not working with police-youth interactions, and community action planning. We are seeking volunteers who are interested in facilitating dialogues on an on-going basis.

Facilitators are supported by professional YWCA Boston staff.

Experience/Qualifications:

• 4 to 5 years of facilitation and/or diversity experience.
  
  
• Demonstrated mediation and facilitation skills.
  
  
• Direct service experience working with Boston adolescents and at-risk youth
  
  
• Experience with the criminal justice system.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work in an environment with economic, racial, ethnic and gender diversity.
  
  
• Ability to work independently to coordinate logistics (travel to site, planning with co-facilitator, etc.)
  
  
• Ability to meet a flexible schedule (typically afternoons and evenings) and travel to various locations within Boston
  
  
• Enthusiasm, positive sense of humor and can do attitude.
  

Major Duties:

• Serving as a neutral party, facilitate four dialogue sessions per series (one per week for four weeks) between Boston youth and police in an organized, professional manner using YWCA Boston's curriculum.

• Work collaboratively with co-facilitator and YWCA Boston staff to plan and lead a thoughtful and energetic dialogue.

• Complete all necessary preparation and communication (in-person, on the phone, or via email as needed) before, during and after the series with YWCA staff, co-facilitator, and community partners.

• Lead participants in developing a community action plan to be implemented after the completion of the dialogue series.

• Complete a facilitator training at YWCA Boston and on-going facilitation evaluations.

• Provide feedback on dialogue and communicate all questions and concerns to YWCA staff.

• Positively represent YWCA in all interactions with the public.

• Compliance with YWCA standards and values of neutrality

• Support of YWCA mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
  

To apply for this volunteer opportunity, please click here.

To learn about facilitator training, please click here.