After School Mentor

Overview of BLOC BLOC Ministries is an inner-city ministry committed to living and serving in the neighborhoods we call home. Our mission is to build meaningful relationships with our neighbors and share hope in the midst of brokenness. We intentionally serve underserved communities, walking alongside individuals and families with compassion, consistency, and care. With a team of approximately 80 staff members, BLOC serves the community through a variety of ministries, including after-school programs, job training, a sports performance center, a daytime hospitality center for women experiencing homelessness, recovery homes for men and women, a coffee shop, equine-assisted learning, an immigrant welcome center, and other programs designed to meet practical needs, build relationships, and love our neighbors well. Role Summary The After School Mentor will walk closely with a small group of students, creating a safe and encouraging environment where they feel seen, supported, and loved. This role involves escorting students to and from programs, engaging them in meaningful activities, and partnering with families to ensure holistic care and connection. Mentors will use trauma-informed practices, de-escalation strategies, and positive behavior modeling to support students’ growth socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Responsibilities - Escort an assigned group of students to and from after-school programs safely and consistently. - Build Christ-centered, caring relationships with students, mentoring them through daily interactions, conversations, and activities. - Be fully engaged with the assigned group during program time, fostering belonging, respect, and encouragement. - Partner with other mentors and staff to ensure students are supported in their academic, social, and emotional needs. - Practice trauma-informed care by recognizing and responding to the unique needs of students who may have experienced adversity. - Use de-escalation and conflict resolution techniques to help students manage emotions and restore relationships. - Intentionally work on building students’ communication skills, encouraging self-expression, active listening, and respect. - Model appropriate behaviors such as patience, self-control, empathy, and healthy boundaries in all interactions. - Interact with parents and caregivers at events, building trust and strengthening connections between home, school, and community. - Live out BLOC’s mission of being a good neighbor and embodying hope in the midst of brokenness. Qualifications - Experience working with children/youth in an educational, ministry, or mentoring capacity preferred. - Knowledge of or willingness to be trained in trauma-informed care, conflict resolution, and de-escalation. - Dependable, consistent, and able to commit to 4 days a week. - Strong communication and relational skills with both students and parents. - Ability to model patience, grace, and healthy boundaries. Schedule & Commitment - Time: 3:15 PM – 6:15 PM, 3 days a week (Mon, Tues, and Thurs) - Location: Onsite at IDEA School Project - May be asked to be available for additional events at the school to interact with students and parents. Mission & Culture Fit  The ideal candidate demonstrates a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ and supports BLOC Ministries' mission, vision, and values. This person leads with integrity, humility, compassion, and consistency and sees teaching as an opportunity to invest in the whole person—not simply to develop culinary skills. We are looking for someone who believes in the potential of others, enjoys building relationships, and is passionate about equipping people with practical skills that can lead to greater confidence, stability, and opportunity.