Just-Us Facilitator

Title: Just-Us Facilitator

Classification: Contractual

WHO WE ARE: SkyART is a permanent fixture in the vibrant cultural landscape of Chicago's South and West Side communities. Founded in 2001, with creativity at the center of everything we do, SkyART provides free, safe, open spaces where people are empowered and connections are made. SkyART continues to fulfill its mission from our flagship studio in South Chicago and beyond, reaching young people through three pillar programs: SkyWAY, for ages 7-13; Project 3rd Space, for ages 14-24 and Project Impact, our art therapy program. In 2020 SkyART announced an expansion to Chicago’s West Side and began providing school programs in Austin, Garfield Park and Humboldt Park. In 2024 we purchased a 7,500 sq ft building in Garfield Park for SkyART West, our second permanent location. Driving our mission is a deep understanding of the transformative power of art and its capacity to enhance intellectual, emotional and social development.

WHO WE SERVE: The communities where SkyART works and the young people we serve exemplify the resilience and the beautiful diversity of our city. Our free programs are open and accessible to youth from communities that have been impacted by historic marginalization, generational trauma and systemic racism, and who may lack access to cultural programming that affirms their identity and places them front and center as creators of their own futures. The majority of Black and Brown youth we serve are impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) which can negatively impact their ability to create and maintain healthy relationships, reach academic goals, and feel prepared to thrive in the workplace. Many are directly impacted by systems of oppression. This may include cycles of violence, involvement in the justice system, or instability at home. For all these reasons, SkyART prioritizes the wellbeing and healing of our participants using art as a platform for self exploration, reflection and Social Emotional Learning (SEL).

HOW YOU CONTRIBUTE

The SkyART Just-Us Facilitator will work effectively at addressing the realities of our interns by supporting career-readiness, attending to their social-emotional needs, and exposing them to artistic skills and opportunities. Through an expressive arts approach, with a foundation in strength-based perspective and processed-based art learning, the Just-Us Facilitator will directly work with currently incarcerated youth to improve their ability to regulate, express, create and care for themselves and others. The Just-Us

Facilitator will have a deep understanding of our youth's complex, multi-layered and unique lives.

The Facilitator will work closely with the Project Impact and Schools and Community Program Managers, to provide service to currently incarcerated youth that intern in our Westside art studio (3450 W Lake St. Chicago, IL 60622). The Internship will take place every Monday from 10 AM - 3 PM with administrative tasks and meetings carried out on an as-needed basis, working up to ten hours per week. The facilitator will refer to the SkyART handbook and Internship agreement in order to promote artistic expression and inspiration, challenge stigmas, monitor secondary traumatic stress, develop coping skills and resilience, maintain relationships, and amplify hope with participants.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Facilitation and Coordination

• Adhere to and uphold SkyART and IYC requirements, procedures, and values
• Facilitate the Illinois Youth Center Internship once a week at the SkyART West location with up to 6 interns
• Build rapport with the interns, serve as a supportive figure and advocate for the youth
• Create and deliver lesson plans to the interns
• Support youth in day to day activities such as internship tasks
• Support Master-level clinical interns in training/guiding them to co-facilitate IYC Internship program
• Collaborate with professionals (ie. therapists) that the interns interface with and communicate with stakeholders to provide holistic support
• Track attendance of interns
• Collecting activities/lesson plans and upload to Vertical Change
• Support in delivery of surveys and other program evaluation needs

YOUR BACKGROUND INCLUDES:

At SkyART, we embrace and celebrate the unique experiences and perspectives that each individual brings to our community. We are committed to creating a workplace that is inclusive and welcoming to all, where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify with historically marginalized communities, as we believe diversity enriches our organization and strengthens our impact on the world.

• BSW/BA required, MA in Art Therapy, MSW in Social Work or social service degree recommended and licensure strongly encouraged
• Culturally and socially competent in working with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Detailed-oriented with excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal and writing skills
• A minimum of 1-3 years of nonprofit, social services, therapeutic environment experience encouraged
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Significant experience working with youth impacted by the juvenile justice system
• Ability to work autonomously and make informed, thoughtful decisions
• Ability to work within a small collaborative environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proficiency in developing detailed and articulate lesson plans
• Bilingual (Spanish) strongly preferred

WHAT WE OFFER:

• $35-$75/hour of instruction, depending on experience

HOW YOU APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume to: projectimpact@skyart.org with “Just-Us Facilitator ” in the subject line. Be sure to include your first and last name along with contact information in the body of the email. Do not mail or fax. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.