HPCC Project Coordinator

The Hazel Park Community Coalition (HPCC) is a Drug-Free Coalition (DFC) that organizes with the community to meet the local prevention needs of youth and families within Hazel Park.  Our role within schools is to partner on substance misuse prevention, mental health wellness, and community advocacy.  

Our mission is to lead and facilitate data-driven, community-based initiatives that empower Hazel Park families to choose a chemical-free lifestyle, resulting in a reduction in substance use among youth.

Position Overview:
The Project Coordinator will implement HPCC initiatives focused on youth and family programming, as well as overall community engagement. This role is essential in driving HPCC's mission to promote substance misuse prevention, mental health wellness, and community advocacy. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Project Coordinator will facilitate programs that empower families, foster community connections, and support healthy lifestyle choices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Youth Engagement & Leadership Development: Cultivate an empowering environment that promotes active student leadership in wellness and prevention activities. Facilitate opportunities for students to take ownership in planning, organizing, and executing initiatives, strengthening their skills in advocacy, public speaking, and peer engagement. Facilitate youth-focused initiatives, including leadership development programs and prevention activities.  Work with students and families to identify community needs and co-create solutions to address those needs.
• Action Plan Support: Collaborate closely with the Executive Director to develop and implement the HPCC Action Plan with a focus on youth-led initiatives. Tailor activities and discussions to promote drug-free lifestyles, mental wellness, and healthy choices among students.
• Weekly Meetings & Program Management: Schedule, organize, and lead weekly student meetings, ensuring alignment with HPCC's mission. Prepare agendas that encourage active participation, address wellness topics, and build leadership competencies. Meet weekly with student interns to provide guidance and receive insights on peer needs.
• Event Coordination: Plan and execute at least eight student events annually, designed to engage students in substance prevention, mental health wellness, and personal development. These events should foster a sense of community and reinforce the values of wellness and prevention among attendees.
• Social Media & Content Creation: Develop and share engaging, informative content on social media platforms to promote HPCC activities, prevention strategies, and wellness tips. Ensure content aligns with the goals of encouraging healthy lifestyle choices that resonate with youth audiences.  Use digital tools to increase program visibility and connect with youth and families.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director of the HPCC.

Qualifications:

• Educational Background: High school diploma required; enrollment in or completion of post-secondary education in a relevant field (e.g., youth development, education, social work, public health) is preferred.
• Experience in Youth Engagement: Demonstrated success in engaging and motivating youth, with at least one year of experience in a youth-focused or educational setting. Experience working directly with middle or high school students in a leadership, mentoring, or program coordination capacity is highly desirable.
• Prevention and Wellness Knowledge Preferred: Familiarity with substance abuse prevention strategies, including an understanding of risk and protective factors, best practices, and evidence-based methods. A background in health and wellness education or youth advocacy is a plus.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Effective Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and dynamically to youth, families, and community stakeholders. Adept at public speaking, content creation, and facilitating discussions that engage youth and resonate with diverse audiences.
• Organizational Skills: Highly organized and capable of managing multiple tasks, including event planning, reporting, and resource coordination, with attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.