A year of service will set you on a rewarding path. We promise. Good Shepherd Volunteers is a year-long volunteer program that serves women, adolescents, and children affected by poverty, violence, and neglect. We are looking for someone passionate about restorative justice to serve as a Youth Development Counselor in our Non-Secure Placements (residences) for incarcerated adolescents. Are you looking to make an impact and begin your path to a rewarding social impact career? If you are, and you are ready to “just love” as our motto says, then please read on! We’d love to have you!

Click here to watch a short video about Good Shepherd Volunteers!

As part of the Close to Home initiative, Good Shepherd Services has two Non-Secure Placements (residences) for youth who are involved in the criminal justice system. Youth serve their sentences by living in these placements (similar to a group home) as an alternative to incarceration. There is one male and one female residence, both with approximately 12 youth, typically ages 14-16. Youth stay in placement for an average of seven months. These residencies use trauma-informed models to provide a safe, structured, and understanding environment for the youth. Residencies are staffed 24 hours a day with a combination of frontline child care staff, social workers, case planners, health services and others to provide the youth with all the resources they need including school and more. It is a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.

Your Role:
The GSV in this position works closely with youth, assisting in tasks such as escorting youth to school, helping them study, implementing groups or participating in recreational activities. The GSV may also accompany youth to any medical appointments, court appearances, or other outings. The GSV also counsels youth when necessary, providing them with personal support and assisting in conflict mediation and resolution. The GSV may work alongside the Recreation Specialist, Education and Vocational Specialist, Behavior Management Specialist, and Health Services Staff. There is also an opportunity for the GSV to work more behind the scenes, doing things like pursuing entrepreneurial partnership building and community organizing around relevant social-justice related issues.

Apply to be a Good Shepherd Volunteer today! https://www.gsvolunteers.org/apply/apply-today/