Youth Advocate/Peer Support SpecialistAt — La Cura Collective
La Cura Collective offers hands-on field practice opportunities for students interested in social work, public health, public administration, nonprofit management, youth development, and community-based services. We are a youth-centered, community-driven organization dedicated to disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline throughout Monterey County. Students support youth-at-promise and justice-impacted youth in alternative education settings, including continuation schools, community day schools, court schools, juvenile halls, and youth detention facilities. When permitted by facility access and clearance requirements, students may also support currently incarcerated youth. Interns may participate in mentorship, peer support, educational skill-building, reentry navigation, higher education access, career readiness, leadership development, community engagement, and program coordination. Students gain experience in trauma-informed care, cultural responsiveness, peer support, nonprofit operations, and community-based services while helping youth heal, reclaim their narratives, and build pathways to success.
By the end of this opportunity, students will have developed an understanding of trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches to working with youth-at-promise and justice-impacted youth. Students will gain hands-on experience in mentorship, peer support, educational skill building, reentry navigation, higher education access, career readiness, leadership development, community engagement, and nonprofit program operations. Students will also strengthen their skills in communication, collaboration, advocacy, program development, and working with community partners to create pathways to success for underserved youth.
Students will receive training and ongoing guidance to prepare them for their responsibilities. Training will include trauma-informed care, person-centered language, cultural humility, and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) principles. Students will also be expected to complete Medical Peer Support Specialist training and must be willing to commit to completing the required training. Through supervision, mentorship, and hands-on learning, students will develop the skills necessary to provide culturally responsive, person-centered support while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and promoting healing, recovery, resilience, self-advocacy, and empowerment.
Students interested in this field practice opportunity should initiate contact with La Cura Collective by emailing Admin@wearelacura.org. Students should include their name, academic concentration, anticipated field placement dates, and a brief statement of interest. Students may be asked to submit a current resume and participate in an interview with La Cura Collective staff. The selection process will include a discussion of the student's interests, professional goals, availability, and ability to work with youth-at-promise and justice-impacted youth in community-based and alternative education settings.
| Hours | Duration |
|---|---|
| 20 | hours per week |