Careers

The Bilingual Intervention Specialist will provide peer-based field visits and intensive follow-up services to individuals who have been hospitalized for violent injuries or involved in the criminal justice system. Some work is performed in an office environment; but a great deal of work is performed in the community and requires visits to patients entering the hospital as a result of a violent crime. Because of the nature of this work, strong connections to the Oakland community and/or fluency in Spanish are highly valued.

We offer summer, semester and year-long internships for Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Public Policy/Administration (MPP/MPA), medical (MD) students and residents, as well others in related disciplines. For more information, contact Gabriel Garcia at ggarcia@youthalive.org.

The HomeTown Hero program is a specialized initiative by YOUTH ALIVE! designed to develop leadership among participants who have been directly or indirectly impacted by violence. The program offers these individuals a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in violence prevention, case management, and community support, equipping them with the skills necessary to assist others affected by community violence. While all participants impacted by violence are welcome, those who have successfully completed case management services will be prioritized for participation.

Program Goals and Vision

The HomeTown Hero program is focused on cultivating future leaders from within Oakland’s most impacted communities. These participants, having personal experience with the effects of violence, are in a unique position to understand and support their peers. By maintaining a connection with the supportive environment at YOUTH ALIVE!, participants can continue their own development while giving back to their communities.

This initiative builds on the success of YOUTH ALIVE!’s Ambassador Program, which began in 2018 and led to several participants transitioning into full-time roles within the organization. The HomeTown Hero program aims to replicate this success by creating a structured path for participants to grow into leadership positions, particularly in intervention services.

Program Structure and Participation

The HomeTown Hero program offers part-time positions (20 hours per week) where participants work alongside experienced intervention specialists. Their activities include:

Community Learning Engagements: Participants attend home visits, school meetings, and Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) engagements, learning how to support others while gaining valuable experience in case management.

Participant Support: Each HomeTown Hero fellow manages a small caseload of 1-3 Tier II participants, assisting them in navigating challenges related to community violence. They receive mentorship from intervention specialists, helping them apply their knowledge and develop their skills.

Violence Prevention and Advocacy: The program also provides opportunities for participants to engage in public speaking and advocacy, share their experiences, and support violence prevention initiatives.

Participation in the program is open to individuals who meet specific criteria, including being an Oakland native and impacted by community violence. Candidates must submit a resume, participate in two interviews, and pass a reference check. Reliable transportation is required for program activities. Those who have successfully completed YOUTH ALIVE! case management services will be given priority in the selection process.

Curriculum Project and Skills Development

One key component of the HomeTown Hero program is a curriculum project that each participant will complete during their fellowship. This project is tailored to the unique skills that the participant brings to the program, recognizing that each fellow already possesses valuable abilities that can be applied in the field of violence prevention.

We believe that participants enter the program with a skill set that is not only useful but essential in supporting the mission of violence prevention. The curriculum project is designed to immerse the fellow in a project that aligns with their strengths—whether creative, organizational, or community-focused—and allow them to showcase their work to the broader community.

At the end of the fellowship, participants will present their project, allowing them to demonstrate how their skills have developed and contributed to the community’s well-being.

Program Objectives

The HomeTown Hero program is centered around several key objectives:

1. Building Leadership: By providing participants with real-world experience in case management and violence prevention, the program aims to develop a pipeline of future intervention specialists who are deeply connected to their community.

2. Hands-On Learning: Participants gain valuable experience by working with case managers and intervention specialists, applying their knowledge through peer-to-peer education and participant support.

3. Sustained Engagement: The program enables YOUTH ALIVE! to maintain relationships with participants beyond their initial case management, providing ongoing support as they transition into leadership roles.

4. Program Feedback and Improvement: Participants are encouraged to offer feedback on their experiences, helping YOUTH ALIVE! continuously improve its violence prevention and community support programs.

Evaluation and Impact

The success of the HomeTown Hero program is evaluated based on each fellow’s ability to meet project goals, effectively support participants, and demonstrate personal and professional growth throughout their time in the program. Fellows receive regular feedback from mentors and supervisors, which allows them to reflect on their experiences and make meaningful contributions to the program supervisors, which allows them to reflect on their experiences and make meaningful contributions to the program.

The first HomeTown Hero fellow, Edwin Galvan, exemplified the program’s success. His journey demonstrated how structured mentorship and hands-on experience can empower young leaders to take active roles in case management and violence prevention. Edwin made significant contributions, including supporting intervention specialists with court advocacy and producing impactful videos showcasing the effectiveness of YOUTH ALIVE!’s services. One of these videos was featured at the HAVI Conference, a national conference, where it received widespread praise and national feedback. In addition to his media work, Edwin also organized community events, further demonstrating the powerful role that participants can play in making a difference through the HomeTown Hero program. He is now pursuing certification as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) to further support the Oakland community,

positioning himself for opportunities in violence prevention and other first responder roles.

Program Participation Preference

Priority will be given to individuals who have completed Youth ALIVE! programs (such as TNT, CIC, and Pathways) or have received services from Youth ALIVE! (including Counseling, Violence Interruption, KWP, and Advocacy for Change). Participants must be at least 18 years old. Pay is $26.92 per hour.

Please use the link below to apply.

The application will ask you to upload your resume and provide short answers to a few questions.

Apply Here