Youth Community Educator Program, PROJECT P.A.V.E. (Denver)

Project PAVE: 4130 Tejon Street, Suite C, Denver 80211 – www.projectpave.org

Youth Community Educator Program (YCEP)

What is it?

The YCEP empowers youth by training them to educate the community on healthy relationships and teen dating violence prevention.

What is Project PAVE?

P.A.V.E. (Promoting Alternatives to Violence through Education) is a non-profit organization that works with Denver Metro area schools to provide a variety of services to students. We offer support to students who have been impacted by violence through our school based counseling programs and referrals service and we also educate students about teen dating violence and healthy relationships.

What Will a YCEPer Do?

YCEPers will be trained to present PAVE’s Path to Healthy Relationships curriculum. Once trained, they will team up to present to a variety of groups in the community such as youth groups, parent groups, faith-based organizations, at conferences, etc. Presentations are typically after school, early evenings, and some weekends. Youth Educators will also have an opportunity to participate in a professional mentoring program with PAVE staff, board, and volunteers.

Who Can Apply?

Any Denver Metro area high school student of working age (working permit if necessary) who is interested in promoting healthy relationships while informing people in the community about the issues of teen dating violence can apply. Because presentations are all over the city, reliable transportation is a must.

Do I Need Experience?

Applicants should be comfortable speaking in public. They should demonstrate responsibility and a willingness to learn new things. No prior knowledge or experience working in the teen dating violence prevention movement is necessary.

How do I apply and Will I Get Paid?

Contact Derek McCoy (contact info below) for a Youth Community Educators Program application, which will be available toward the end of March 2014 after TCAP testing is complete. Applications will be due toward the end of the school year (exact date will be on app), followed by interviews, and training will take place during the latter part of June and into July. Once completing a minimum of 20 training hours at minimum wage ($8), Youth Educators are treated like other professional staff and compensated accordingly. As a Youth Educators you will have the opportunity to earn $10 per hour for presenting (including preparation and debrief meetings (typically about 3 hrs of total work), as well as a monetary incentive (amount TBD) for each qualified presentation that you schedule.     

I Still Have Questions!

Please contact the YCEP Coordinator, Derek McCoy, at 720-414-2547 or dmccoy@projectpave.org if you have any questions about the program or how to apply.

 

 

 

Youth Educator Position Description

 

Organization Overview:  Founded in 1986, the mission of Project PAVE is to empower youth to end the cycle of relationship violence. The cycle of relationship violence is generational and affects people in every community. PAVE’s approach to ending this cycle is through intervention and family advocacy, prevention education, and youth leadership. Project PAVE annually reaches over 3,500 children, teens, parents, teachers and other professionals with its therapy and violence prevention programming in Denver-metro area schools and other community outlets. Project PAVE services are youth-focused and offered for free to the community.

 

Position Title:  Youth Educator (YCEPer)

Reports to: YCEP Coordinator  

 

Summary: Youth Educators will be trained to present on the topics of teen dating violence (TDV) and healthy relationships. They will team up to present to a variety of communities such as students, parent groups, faith-based organizations, at conferences, etc.

 

Key Responsibilities

Professionalism and Accountability:

• Be consistent and present. Show up on time and take responsibility for your part.
• Dress appropriately considering the environment of the presentation.
• Walk the talk. We’ll be presenting about healthy relationships, so we need individuals who are willing to engage with others in healthy relationships throughout all areas of their life. You are the example for others to see.
• Presentation Fill Ins: If you’ve signed up for a presentation and end up not being able to present, you are required to find another YCEPer to replace you.

Trainings, Meetings, and mentoring:

1. Complete 20 hours of training.
2. Master an understanding of the major concepts from the curriculum (The Path to Healthy Relationships and TDV 101)
3. Participate actively with the Professional Mentor assigned to you.

 

Presentations:

• Present the Path to Healthy Relationships curriculum and TDV 101 to community groups of youths and adults.

• Meet with Coordinator to prepare for each presentation.
• Recruit opportunities to present. Utilize your networks (school, family, neighbors, friends, faith based organizations, etc.) to locate venues for YCEP to present.
• Meet with Coordinator to discuss reflections on presentation, feedback, etc.

 

Support Choose Respect Clubs in Denver Metro schools:

• If your school already has a club, participate actively and continuously spread the word about Choose Respect Club, so that new members will join. If a club has not been started yet, work with students and staff at your school to help get one started.