Organizing & Policy Fellow - A Way Home America

A Way Home America (AWHA) (awayhomeamerica.org) is a national organization that transforms systems through public policy to end homelessness for Black, Indigenous, youth of color, and LGBTQIA+ youth on a path to housing justice for all. Our work is driven by the following values. We work with policymakers and legislators, seeking policy and administrative/regulatory changes that historically marginalized youth and young adults.

A Way Home America is a fiscally sponsored organization of TSNE (tsne.org).

The Organizing & Policy Fellow provides critical support to AWHA’s policy and advocacy work on the state and local levels. The Fellow reports to and works in tandem with the AWHA Organizing and Policy Director. This is a 38-week fellowship starting when hired. 

Essential Functions

• In collaboration with the AWHA’s Organizing and Policy Director, Youth Policy Team, and Policy Analyst the fellow will support the implementation of the New Deal: Transforming the Way Home project that expands partnering with and convening movement leaders to collaborate and build a coordinated strategy to progress efforts to prevent and end youth homelessness.
• Identifying, managing, and sharing state and local policies connected to the New Deal with communities and driving consistent AWHA advocacy across AWHA’s New Deal to End Youth Homelessness;
• Engage in research, writing, and other activities to provide analysis and critical thinking on developments contributing to the New Deal: Transforming the Way Home;
• Assist the AWHA’s Organizing and Policy Director in staffing and facilitating the AWHA State and Local Policy Crew, preparing materials and meeting follow-up. The fellow will also staff any meetings related to their agreed-upon state or municipality, and
  
• Support AWHA’s state and local engagement, ensuring meaningful opportunities for youth collaboration and strategy input.
• Attend, engage, and support AWHA’s New Deal Days on Capitol Hill and any other AWH in-person or virtual events and provide assistance with assigned tasks;
• This will also include attending the preparation days and the event day(s).

Additional Responsiblties

• Serve as a resource to organizations and others on issues, activities, and developments that align with the New Deal to end youth homelessness comprehensive proposal;
• Speak and present on behalf of AWHA’s collective effort at conferences, events, and other forums;
• Seek out, support, and manage relationships with key community stakeholders to understand the unique youth homelessness landscape across the country.
• Assist the AWHA’s Organizing and Policy Director with daily operations related to the New Deal: Transforming the Way Home;
• Other duties as assigned.

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• Lived experience in youth-serving systems, optional, and/or a minimum of 2 years organizing experience or, students pursuing secondary education in public policy, research, or related fields are encouraged to apply;
• Comfort in communicating with high-level legislative and executive branch policy-makers and staff;
• Outstanding organizing, research, writing, and analysis skills
• Strong leadership and communication skills, as well as excellent judgment in developing and implementing priorities/goals;
• Exceptional writing and grammatical skills;
• Diligent work ethic and personal drive while working independently;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and G Suite;
• Willingness and ability to travel to in-person needs as needed;
• Has a demonstrated commitment to youth collaboration, LGBTQIA+ and racial equity, and ending youth homelessness;
• Effective and productive in a remote work environment;
• Computer skills: Microsoft Office software and Google Suite;
• Experience in building relationships with diverse populations;
• Align with A Way Home America’s core values:
  • Recognize and Center Intersectionality
  • Name and Challenge White Supremacy
  • Engage in Principled Struggle
  • Practice Targeted Universalism
  • Generate Transformative Visions Toward Liberation
  • Create a Culture of Accountability
  • Shift Power to Youth and Young Adults
• Open to understanding and valuing young people;
• Passionate about the mission to end youth homelessness and impact change in existing systems;
• Able to give and receive feedback with love, rigor, and respect, honoring individual differences and promoting a healthy life/work balance;
• Has integrity and accountability;
• Holds all accountable for anti-black racism and colorism, and
• Will be adaptable to the workload and self-sufficient.

Additional Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license or ID;
• Successful background check;
• Ability to travel for events and meetings;
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends;
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize work;
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills;
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask
• Lived experience in homelessness, child welfare, juvenile justice, a plus
• Bi-lingual ability, a plus (Spanish preferred)

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

• The ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods in front of a computer screen is an essential aspect of the position;
• There may be a need to lift and/or move materials or equipment up to 40 pounds;
• Reach; traverse; sit (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move;
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate;
• Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards;
• The likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight;
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

Compensation and Benefits

Location: Work is primarily performed remotely from a personal home office and may require travel. 

Compensation: The starting salary for this position is $21/hr and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): twelve paid holidays, three weeks of vacation, one week of personal holiday, and ability to accrue up to 487.5 hours of health leave time for benefited staff.
• 80% Employer-paid, offering some $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim along with several low-deductible plans;
• Low-cost Harvard Pilgrim/Point32Health Dental and Vision.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care.
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance.
• Employer-paid Pension and Employee-paid 403b plan through TIAA.
• ...and more!

TSNE/AWHA strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/AWHA prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/AWHA celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE/AWHA's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.