Volunteer/Employment
Two positions available:
Bay Area Co-Director
Central Valley Co-Director
Mission
The guiding vision of Youth In Focus is of a world in which youth and adults share knowledge and power to create a more just, sustainable, and democratic society. Since 1990, YIF has pursued this vision by providing training, consulting and coaching support in youth-led action research, evaluation and planning (Youth-REP) to underrepresented youth and adult allies working for positive change. Youth-led action research brings young people's energy and insights to bear upon social and organizational challenges. Young people play lead roles in designing, doing, and following up on research or evaluation projects that serve to change or initiate a program, organization, community initiative, organizing campaign, or policy that affects them and their peers.
Organization
Youth in Focus has an office in Sacramento and an office in Oakland with a total staff of 7 and a budget of approximately $550K. Our projects in the Central Valley focus on educational change, community development and prison justice, including fiscal sponsorship of the ESPINO coalition [Escuelas Si, Pintas No]. We work across the valley, primarily in Sacramento, Yolo and San Joaquin counties. In the Bay Area, we work on issues of queer health, education and community justice.
The Future
Youth in Focus is looking to shift its organizational model towards collective leadership and build the capacity to make this successful. Our initial step is to hire two co-directors to take on the responsibilities of the former executive director, as well as certain geographic areas of focus. One co-director will work primarily in the Central Valley and one will work primarily in the Bay Area. The co-directors will work together and with the board and staff to create a collaborative and sustainable delegation of responsibilities.
We seek vision and leadership to help finalize and implement an emergent strategic plan for Youth In Focus. Included in our goals are national and state-wide field building, working with local grassroots social justice organizations, convening youth for social justice summits, national training of trainers, and strengthening our regional work. Fund development will continue to be a top priority in the next few years to fulfill the vision.
For details, please download the full job description as a PDF.
