About Us

Friends of the Children – SF Bay Area employs a simple yet radical mentoring model to walk beside children who face the biggest inequities as they break the generational cycle of poverty.

• We systematically identify and enroll children who face the biggest systemic barriers. Our children identify as people of color, all qualify for free or reduced lunches, and all have experienced intense traumas – like multi-generational poverty, domestic violence, family substance abuse and/or homelessness – by the time they enter kindergarten.

  
  

• We pair each child with a salaried, professional – not a volunteer – mentor. Removing mentoring from the volunteer realm is key to providing our children with the support they deserve.

  
  

• We enroll each child when they are in kindergarten and commit to walk beside them until they graduate from high school - 12+ years no matter what!

  
  

• We apply a rigorous, evidence-based approach at every stage, monitoring each child's progress and adjusting our approach accordingly.

Friends of the Children has a 30-year track record demonstrating that our model works.

Friends of the Children - SF Bay Area is part of a nationwide network, which was founded nearly 30 years ago and has grown to include 25 locations nationwide. We opened our doors in San Francisco in 2017. We identify and enroll a new class of Bayview Hunters Point kindergarteners each year and, by this Spring, we will be serving 125 children – well on the way to our goal of serving 400.

You can learn more about us at friendssfbayarea.org.

Each of our Professional Mentors develops intensive, long-term, trusting relationships with eight youth utilizing a trauma informed lens in a classroom setting. This means:

• Set positive expectations

• Nurture and promote the child’s individual strengths, talents and abilities

• Help assure physical and emotional well-being

• Teach life and academic skills

• Support youth and their families, and connect them to other services and resources

• Model responsible behavior

• Each Friend spends approximately four hours per week with each child (in the classroom and in the community) and will report directly to a Program Manager

The ideal candidate will have:

• Minimum of AA degree preferred

• At least 2 years of youth development experience with elementary and/or middle-school age youth, ideally in a school based setting providing enrichment services

• Familiarity with the Bayview Hunters Point section of San Francisco or similar communities a plus

• Experience with under resourced communities of color

Other Requirements:

• Must be comfortable using web based data management tools and online educational tools

• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word & Calendar required

• Must possess a mission-driven growth mindset, and a commitment to life long learning

• Mission driven growth mindset, and commitment to lifelong learning

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  Willingness to learn from mistakes, receive feedback, and give feedback to others

• Willingness to propose and implement new ideas

• Commitment to building a culture of mutual accountability, inclusiveness, and respect

• Sense of humor

• Must pass drug screening

• Must have your own vehicle, safe driving record and valid driver's license

• Must pass fingerprint and background checks

• Work hours 10am-6pm, Tuesday - Saturday.

If you are this amazing person, here’s what we have to offer:

• You’ll be part of a dynamic and supportive national network, with a proven, evidence-based mentoring model

• You’ll have new challenges daily, and we commit to support you in every way, to help you serve our kids and to keep your batteries charged

• You’ll be part of a friendly and collaborative workplace, where work-life balance is respected

• Most of all, you’ll play a critical role in helping children who face significant obstacles change the trajectories of their lives!

Position Details:

Benefits: Full Medical, dental and vision coverage; 401(k) matching plan, basic life insurance and long term disability insurance; 3 weeks of paid vacation and 2 weeks of paid sick leave per year, generous allowances for mileage, cellphone and other child-related expenses.

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter which outlines how your skills, interests and experience make you a strong fit.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Friends of the Children - SF Bay Area is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices, and to working toward racial equity. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends - SF provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

Local (San Francisco Bay Area) candidates only.