SWITCH Youth Outreach Specialist - Memphis Allies

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.

As a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works — partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.

We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters— helping children and families live successfully.

For more information, please visit www.youthvillages.org

Program Overview: 
 
Memphis Allies, launched by Youth Villages, is a bold, collaborative initiative designed to reduce gun violence and build safer, stronger neighborhoods across Memphis. The program brings together community groups, organizations, and local resources to expand opportunities for adults, youth, and their families while addressing the root causes of violence. 

At the heart of this effort is the Support with Intent To Create Hope (SWITCH) model—an innovative approach that combines street outreach and life coaching with intensive clinical services and case management. Through SWITCH and SWITCH Youth, Memphis Allies staff identify, connect with, and support adults (ages 19 to 30) and youth (ages 12 to 19) at the highest risk of involvement in gun violence, who may have been recently arrested, on probation, or are re-entering the community after incarceration. By meeting individuals where they are and surrounding them with consistent support, Memphis Allies is working to build stability and safety, change lives, reduce gun violence, and strengthen communities. 

 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

The SWITCH Youth Outreach Specialist:  

• Identifies very high risk, prospective participants though the Gun Violence Reduction Strategy 
• Locates prospective participants through personal networks, outreach, social media, or other means and works to engage them and directly connect them to a Life Coach 
• Builds trust with prospective participants by learning their individual stories and establishing trust necessary for dialogue  
• Responds to shooting scenes after an injury shooting to provide support to victims and their families, ease tension at the scene, offer support to victim’s friends and network, and gather information about the cause of the shooting 
• Goes to hospitals to engage with recent gunshot victims to offer support and services, discourage retaliation, and build relationships with victims, families, and the victims' network 
• Attends community events and canvas neighborhoods with high rates of violence to show a presence and offer support  
• Attends funerals of people who were members of active gangs, crews, and groups to provide support to their family as well as build relationships with the family and victim’s network 
• Visits and occasionally conducts groups and workshops in local juvenile and adult correctional facilities for the purpose of building rapport with individuals who will be released and may be high-risk individuals 
• Establishes a positive and trusting relationship with each participant, spending time in-person and building a rapport 
• Provides transformative mentorship (including motivational interviewing, strengths identification, and basic familiarity with cognitive-behavioral interventions) 
• Defuses immediate tensions and helps build long-term peace agreements between all parties, with the aim of creating a safer community for everyone 
• Attends all mandatory meetings and trainings (including staff meetings, team meetings, case conferences, and quarterly booster training sessions) 
• Provides on-call crisis support to youth and adults (schedules vary by location but require 24/7 availability) 
• Completes accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR) 
• Performs other duties as assigned 

Additional Information:  

• Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of the youth, adults, and families served.  
• Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance. 
• Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage. 

 
Qualifications: 

• High School diploma or equivalent (required) 
• Must have lived in Memphis, TN for a minimum of two years (required)  
• Credibility and cultural competency (required) 
• Experience working with youth and families in need of crisis intervention (preferred) 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail  
• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills  
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously  
• Basic computer knowledge  
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule 

Youth Villages Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision

• 401(k)

• Time off:

• • 2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)

  • 12 paid sick days per year

  • 11 paid holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)

• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision

• Growth & development through continuous training

• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

*Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.