DescriptionHelp young adults discover their strengths—and their future.
Are you the kind of person who can turn everyday moments into teachable ones? Do you believe every young person deserves support, dignity, and a chance to grow? If you light up at the idea of helping youth find stability, skills, and confidence, then you might be our next Adult Care Specialist!
At our residential programs, you’ll be part mentor, part coach, part steady presence—and a huge part of someone’s journey toward independence.
SHEAKLEY CENTER FOR YOUTH is a multipurpose complex for homeless youth. The building houses 36 individual shelter bedrooms for youth ages 18-24, 39 apartments, and a day resource center. Mental health care, life skills and job training, substance abuse services, and help finding employment and safe housing are provided. Our Street Outreach Team is also housed in the Sheakley Center.
- Shelter: Each young adult works with a case manager who helps the young adult develop a plan and implement it. The goal is to guide young people into safe, stable housing.
- Day Resource Center: A safe place for homeless teenagers and young adults to come in off the streets and get basic need items. Open every day 9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m., food, clothing, toiletries, laundry facilities, and computers are available. A registered nurse provides basic health care and first aid. Lunch is served daily.
- Street Outreach Team: They comb Cincinnati to help youth who are experiencing homelessness and connect them to resources.
What You’ll Do (AKA Your Daily Impact)
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🎯 Engage & Inspire: Build meaningful connections with youth, helping them explore their goals and spark their potential.
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🌱 Support Growth: Implement strengths-based, youth-centered program goals to help residents move toward less restrictive settings.
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👀 Supervise with Care: Maintain a safe, structured, and positive environment at all times.
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💛 See the Whole Person: Understand each youth’s story, preferences, and challenges—and use that understanding in both daily interactions and crisis moments.
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🧼 Teach Real-Life Skills: From hygiene to life skills to community resources, you’ll help young adults build confidence and independence.
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🧠 Provide Therapeutic Support: Deliver interventions as outlined in individualized service plans and complete all necessary documentation.
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💬 Use Trauma-Informed Language: Stay strength-focused to help youth reach their full potential.
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💻 Document Like a Pro: Keep thorough, timely notes in our electronic health record (EHR).
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🔄 Communicate Clearly: Coordinate seamlessly with the next shift so everything runs smoothly.
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📚 Grow Professionally: Attend training, supervision, seminars, and staff meetings to sharpen your skills.
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🌈 Be a Role Model: Mentor, encourage, and model positive behavior and social inclusion.
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🧩 Problem Solve Together: Help youth navigate challenges with patience and empathy.
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🎉 Create Community: Organize or assist with structured groups, activities, and events.
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🚗 Get Them There: Provide transportation to and from program activities.
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🧾 Stay Compliant: Maintain high-quality records, reports, and documentation.
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🥘 Make Meals: Prepare meals for residents as needed.
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🚨 Stay Trained: Maintain current knowledge on safety, safeguarding, crisis response, and policy updates.
💡 What Makes You Great at This Role
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A trauma-informed mindset
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Commitment to LGBTQ+ and racial equity
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Comfort and proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite
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Strong engagement and facilitation skills
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Deep empathy and understanding
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Skilled at supervision and safety
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Ability to train and develop youth in life skills
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Excellent documentation and compliance habits
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A team-first attitude
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Flexibility when each day brings something new
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Solid problem-solving instincts
🏢 Your Work Environment
You’ll be working in residential programs including shelters, group homes, and secure settings serving young adults ages 18–24. This is an essential, onsite position—no remote work options.
You may encounter:
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A physically active environment (walking, bending, climbing—who needs a gym?)
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Loud or high-stress situations
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Exposure to airborne or bloodborne pathogens
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Occasional physical or verbal aggression
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A fast-paced, emotionally charged, and deeply meaningful workplace
💪 Physical Demands
This is an active role! Expect:
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Regular standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing
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Frequent lifting/moving of 50+ pounds
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Staying aware, alert, and engaged throughout your shift
🕒 Schedule & Availability
Your schedule will match the needs of the youth we serve. That means you may work evenings, nights, weekends, or holidays to support program operations.
🚗 Travel
Local travel is typical, including transportation of clients using a personal or company vehicle.
Qualifications🎓 Required Education & Experience
⭐ Preferred Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree
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2+ years working with at-risk youth or in a residential program
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Coursework or background in education, social work, or psychology
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CPR/First Aid certification
💥 Ready to Lift Up the Next Generation?
If you’re passionate, patient, and ready to empower youth with empathy and purpose, we’d love to have you on our team. Come be part of the support system that helps young adults build the future they deserve!
