High-Intensity Credible Messenger, The ATLAS Project

About Us

Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 72,000 individuals annually. We do this through 101 programs across 138 sites, throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity is shown not just through our work with supported persons but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve. Rising Ground is headquartered in New York City.

Role Overview

ATLAS, an initiative of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety in partnership with United Way of NYC, aims to reduce community and interpersonal violence by engaging people in a change process that nurtures hope and strengthens relationships. Atlas meets people at times of crisis, such as an interpersonal or family conflict, a recent arrest, or a recent court case and connects them to free community-based therapeutic programming. The therapeutic approaches offered through Atlas are evidence-informed, meaning they have strong evidence of effectiveness in promoting personal change and preventing future involvement in violence or incarceration. The approaches are culturally competent, trauma-informed, and deeply respectful of the strength, wisdom, and personal agency that resides in people.

ATLAS seeks to enhance peace and prevent violence in New York City through transformative investments in families, community-based organizations, and in the systems meant to maintain accountability and public safety. We recognize the impact “systems” have on the lives of marginalized persons; keeping them in a cycle of involvement that impacts their freedom, self-efficacy, and dignity. Atlas is an investment in the agency and self-reliance of people affected by system involvement and in the community partners that serve them.

Rising Ground is seeking a driven, resourceful, and highly relational Credible Messenger to join a specialized, high-intensity team serving youth at elevated risk of violence and system involvement. Working closely with the Lead Therapist and clinical team, the Credible Messenger will take an intentional and strategic approach to engaging youth who may be difficult to reach, resistant to services, or disconnected from traditional systems.

The Credible Messenger will learn each young person’s world—including their relationships, routines, interests, strengths, challenges, and support systems—to identify meaningful opportunities to build trust and become a consistent, positive presence in their life. This role requires a strong community presence and the ability to respond to crises, community incidents, and emerging safety concerns while serving as a source of stability, support, and positive influence.

The Credible Messenger will work closely with families, providers, community partners, and the clinical team to create a coordinated network of support that strengthens engagement, promotes safety, and connects youth to FFT and other resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with approximately 15–25 youth, with a focus on spending consistent time with assigned participants.
• Meet with youth regularly, in person, to talk about what’s going on in their lives, what they need, and where they want to go.
• Meet youth where they are—in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, residential programs, juvenile facilities, and other community settings.
• Build trust with young people who may not trust adults, providers, or systems and may not want services.
• Use your lived experience, community knowledge, and ability to connect with people to keep youth engaged and connected to the program.
• Mentor and support youth while helping them connect to resources, opportunities, and people who can help them move forward.
• Help youth with immediate, emergency, and safety needs and communicate concerns to the clinical team.
• Work closely with FFT Therapists, Case Managers, and the Lead Therapist to keep youth engaged and support their progress.
• Help therapists connect with youth and build strong working relationships with them.
• Build relationships with young people, families, community members, and others who can help support youth.
• Participate in community outreach, community responses, Breaking Bread activities, and other opportunities to connect with youth and the community.
• Identify young people who may benefit from the program and connect them with the appropriate staff.
• Keep clear and timely notes about contacts with youth, engagement efforts, needs, and concerns.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, training, and other activities that support the work.
• Maintain a flexible schedule, including evenings and other nontraditional hours, based on the needs of youth and the community.
• Other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Required Qualifications

• Lived experience and strong community connections are highly valued. A Bachelor’s degree is encouraged but not required.
• Experience working with youth, families, or communities impacted by violence or the juvenile/criminal legal system.
• Strong ability to connect with young people and build trust, especially with youth who may not want services.
• Knowledge of New York City communities, schools, the juvenile/criminal legal system, and community resources.
• Ability to meet youth where they are and work in homes, schools, neighborhoods, facilities, and other community settings.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Willingness to advocate for youth and families and help them recognize their strengths.
• Belief that young people and families can grow, change, and make positive choices.
• Ability to think on your feet, adjust your approach, and find creative ways to connect with youth.
• Ability to stay calm and handle conflict, crisis, and stressful situations.
• Ability to work well with people from different backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to work as part of a team and partner with therapists, case managers, families, and community providers.
• Ability to build strong relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Willingness to work evenings and other flexible hours based on the needs of youth and families.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout New York City. Work-related travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Supervisory Responsibility

• No

• Home Based
• Community Based
• Rising Ground Offices (Brooklyn Hub, Harlem Hub, Headquarters)

• Competitive salary structure
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match 
• PTO policy (11 Paid Holidays, Paid Sick Time, Paid Vacation & Paid Personal Days)
• Remote / flexible work options (If applicable)

• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Ability to work in-person in New York City (NYC)
• Ability to travel to other Rising Ground Sites (if required)
• Ability to travel within the community and do visits