Program Director

Program Director

Overview:

Foster Pride is a non-profit (50l(c)3) organization that serves children and teens in foster care in New York City. Youth in foster care are among the most vulnerable in the city. Nearly half of all foster children never graduate high school; 68% of former foster children have been on food stamps; and, seven out of ten homeless people in New York were once in the foster care system.

For almost 30 years, Foster Pride has been empowering children and teens in foster care to develop their talents, build self-esteem and reach their potential through mentoring relationships and the arts.  More than 15,000 youth have participated in Foster Pride’s visual literacy art classes, job-preparedness activities, internship programs, and more that spark creativity, academic learning, and help provide the resources these kids need to become successful, independent adults.

Each year Foster Pride offers programs to approximately 400 children and teens. As they age out of the system, Foster Pride’s mentoring, financial literacy, job-preparedness, and internship programs provide foster teens with the resources they need to make a successful transition to adulthood. None of Foster Pride’s programs are “one and done.” We stick with our kids, many from the time they enter the program until they get their GED, graduate high school or college and beyond: offering financial advice; taking them to Ikea to buy the first bed that’s ever been truly their own, and in some cases, we’re lucky enough to dance at their wedding.

Foster children are as bright, talented, loving, and creative as any other children – they just don’t have the support they need to make their dreams a reality.  Foster Pride offers them that support to create brighter futures.

Position Summary:

Foster Pride is seeking a dynamic, creative Program Director to run its annual programs for children and teens in foster care throughout New York City. The Program Director will be a strategic partner with the Executive Director to plan programs, cultivate and steward partner and volunteer relationships and ensure program impact, efficiency of delivery and scheduling.

Named one of New York City’s Top 4 Best Charities by CBS.com, Foster Pride is a small organization that consistently punches above its weight.  The Executive Director and the Program Director will be the two-person team leading the organization.  The position offers the opportunity to create and manage programs and to work directly with Foster Pride students. 

Responsibilities:

• Plan and schedule the number and type of classes to be held each year;
• Set up and coordinate classes with Foster Pride teachers at partner agencies; create spreadsheets for classes and internships;
• As primary contact with the roster of social workers and teachers, steward and monitor relationships, troubleshoot problems or concerns, recruit new teachers, as needed;
• Coordinate with teachers to order class arts supplies and delivery to agencies;
• Oversee annual Career Week program: recruit participating students and the companies that provide behind-the-scenes looks into their businesses--set schedule, plan resume writing and interview workshops, create information packets for social workers and students, manage registration;
• Work with the Executive Director on recruitment and implementation of the Mentorship Program to secure 10-15 internships annually at various companies;
• Set up and schedule special holiday art parties with volunteers and foster care agency partners; assist in development and execution of annual fundraising gala; participate in planning and implementation of other Foster Pride events;
• Propose new or enhanced program initiatives;
• Provide limited administrative support: update donor tools and log donations, assist in scheduling board meetings, update stakeholder contact information, design layout for monthly newsletter, send out donor acknowledgments.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;

2+ years of experience in Arts education or working with a non-profit organization.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about the mission, have a strategic mindset and be a creative thinker. The candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills, be detail oriented, take initiative and have the ability to work independently.

Salary:  $45,000.

How to apply:

To submit your application, please send an email to contact@fosterpride.org with a copy of your resume and cover letter by November 30, 2021.

Send cover note and resume to:  contact@fosterpride.org by November 30, 2021.