JOBSEARCHER

Program Coordinator - Youth & Family Services

KaraPalo Alto, CAApril 12th, 2026
Job DescriptionAbout the RoleAs the Youth & Family Services Program Coordinator at Kara, you'll be a vital member of our program team supporting grieving youth and their families. Under the guidance of the Youth & Family Services Director, you'll provide exceptional and timely administrative and operational support for our client services, including peer support groups, Camp Kara, trainings, workshops, and volunteer support. In addition, as the coordinator for the Journeys Program, our school-based grief support initiative, your responsibilities will include actively fostering and maintaining positive relationships with schools and key stakeholders, providing valuable resources and training to school staff, and co-facilitating peer support groups. You'll also be responsible for recruiting, training, and supporting dedicated volunteers who will play a crucial role in delivering these essential services. By joining our team, you'll have the opportunity to make a healing difference in the lives of grieving youth and families throughout the Bay Area.Key ResponsibilitiesProvide operational support in maintaining the Youth & Family records management systems including client and volunteer records, group management and attendance, surveys, evaluations and service statistics.Provide support to volunteers through guidance and assistance of facilitator groups as well as preparation and implementation of volunteer training.Provide client service support by assisting with client communications as needed, including assistance with client service intakes as needed.Provide operational support for Camp KaraProvide support for special projects, including advertising and mailings, website info updates, and in-service workshops.Assist with agency-wide client service operations and other program support duties as assigned.Journeys Program ResponsibilitiesMaintain on-going communication and support with current school community partners and develop new connections and partnerships through outreach to other local area school community sites impacted by death and loss.Provide support services to schools through implementing school-based peer support groups for students, and conducting trainings, workshops, and consultations to school-based staff.Assist with recruiting, training, and supervising new Journeys Program volunteers.Provide on-going support and feedback to school-based peer support facilitators and volunteers.Develop and prepare appropriate resources and materials for all school-based peer support groups and workshops.Network and communicate with other grief support organizations working in local schools to enhance and deepen understanding of work.Conduct administrative and operational tasks pertaining to school-based outreach and on-going peer grief support, including timely entry of organizational information, statistics, and service evaluations in agency database.Required QualificationsBachelor's Degree or equivalentMinimum of 2-3 years of experience in similar role/functionCommitment to Kara’s mission, vision, and guiding value of compassionClient focused with genuine compassion, empathy, and a deep understanding of the variety of issues and tasks facing children, teens and families dealing with grief and lossExcellent communication skills - with a strong command of the English language, both written and verbal, and comfort with public speakingPossess strong interpersonal skills with a history of being an outstanding and effective collaboratorEffective team builder and team player with a positive attitude and sense of humorProven quality control, demonstrating consistent detailed data accuracy and thoroughnessStrong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, database-related software applications and familiarity with creative design software and other office equipmentExcellent organizational, prioritization, time management, planning and problem-solving skillsQuick to learn and implement new ideas with self-awareness and willingness to ask for assistance in a timely fashionFlexible, innovative, resourceful, with strong initiative and follow-through skillsAbility to work successfully under pressure, adapt, problem-solve, and handle competing priorities with minimal supervision in an organized, thoughtful mannerAbility to work evenings and weekendsPreferred QualificationsBi-lingual in English and any other languageNon-profit / Social Services / Health Care experienceWork with youth in camp, school or group settingsExperience supervising volunteersExperience as a Kara volunteer or similar program requiring understanding of grief support structuresApplicants must include a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position.Company DescriptionAs a nonprofit organization serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1976, Kara provides comprehensive bereavement support, grief education and crisis response to individuals and communities facing the difficult realities of death and dying. Serving 5,000 individuals annually, Kara provides a wide breadth of grief support and education services to the community including: individual and group peer support; in- house psychotherapy; on-site crisis intervention; bereavement education and training services; Camp Kara, a bereavement camp for children 6-17 years old; and community events.Through a time-tested and highly effective peer model (adopted from the Shanti Model), over 200 trained volunteers, supervised by professional staff, support grieving adults and children as they navigate loss. Kara provides a space where those in grief find deep relief in the company of others who understand. Our peer services are designed to be accessible and are offered at no cost to those we serve. We are funded primarily by charitable donations and the heartfelt generosity of the community we serve.Kara is committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion and maintains no affiliations with any religious or government-based organizations.Company DescriptionAs a nonprofit organization serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1976, Kara provides comprehensive bereavement support, grief education and crisis response to individuals and communities facing the difficult realities of death and dying. Serving 5,000 individuals annually, Kara provides a wide breadth of grief support and education services to the community including: individual and group peer support; in- house psychotherapy; on-site crisis intervention; bereavement education and training services; Camp Kara, a bereavement camp for children 6-17 years old; and community events. Through a time-tested and highly effective peer model (adopted from the Shanti Model), over 200 trained volunteers, supervised by professional staff, support grieving adults and children as they navigate loss. Kara provides a space where those in grief find deep relief in the company of others who understand. Our peer services are designed to be accessible and are offered at no cost to those we serve. We are funded primarily by charitable donations and the heartfelt generosity of the community we serve. Kara is committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion and maintains no affiliations with any religious or government-based organizations.