Description
Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition grew out of an effort to draw on the wonderful ethnic and cultural diversity of the Mattapan community to promote a healthy living environment, with a focus on access to healthy foods and the promotion of physical fitness for all ages. Positive changes in these areas complement other efforts to decrease health problems like diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other health conditions that plague our community.
Mission Statement: To build intergenerational leadership within Mattapan’s Black and Brown community to advocate for equitable access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity.
Vision Statement: Mattapan is a healthy and thriving community.
The Program Manager has an exciting responsibility of amplifying the voices of our young people and continuing to build upon our existing youth framework. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing our youth development program that supports the educational, social, emotional, and physical development of young people. The program’s purpose is multifaceted: it seeks to educate and engage youth in the systems and issues most impactful to their community, such as food access, transportation, and health. By fostering personal and professional growth, promoting community connectedness, and emphasizing the value of service, the program invests in youth as key agents for a healthier, more equitable and sustainable future. Through initiatives like workshops, civic engagement, and leadership opportunities, the program helps participants understand systemic issues, their historical impact, and pathways to advocate for change while building practical skills.
Responsibilities
Overall
- Lead the strategic direction and growth of the program
- Foster collaboration across teams within MFFC while providing meaningful insight to other parts of the organization and integrating youth where appropriate
- Identify + nurture new community partners while strengthening existing community partnership
- Support and/or lead with the planning of organizational wide MFFC events and partner events
- Attend related trainings, conferences, community meetings, and events to deepen knowledge of Mattapan, youth development, transportation advocacy, food access, and overall health
- Support the organization fundraising efforts and any other internal efforts that may arise
- Plan, lead, and/or attend MFFC community meetings
- Train related staff and volunteers
- Meet with Executive Director weekly or as needed
- Carry out additional responsibilities as needed to support MFFC’s mission and community impact
Programs
Youth Program Design & Facilitation
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Maintain a safe environment for our Vigorous Youth in all spaces.
- Uphold MFFC’s mission, visions, and values
- Be a positive role model and mentor
- Recruit, hire, onboard, and supervise 8-15 youth ages 14-21
- Create and implement boundaries between youth + staff
- Connect young people with resources needed for their personal development
- Co-develop and strengthen academic year and summer program curricula, centering youth voice and lived experience in the planning process.
- Design and coordinate meaningful educational experiences that deepen youth understanding of their leadership roles and the broader impact of their work within the Mattapan community.
- Guide, mentor, and empower youth in planning and implementing youth-led initiatives, ensuring alignment with MFFC’s mission and values.
- Collaborate with youth to showcase their successes through presentations to the community, elected officials, and key stakeholders.
Evaluation & Impact
- Oversee the collection, interpretation, and presentation of program data sometimes in partnership with youth
- Assist with data collection and evaluation for transportation advocacy and food access programs, ensuring accuracy and relevance to community needs.
Budgeting and Reporting
- Prepare, update and, manage the youth program budget
- Prepare and submit invoices for youth and other vendors related to the program
- Keep track of spending and complete monthly reconciliation of expenses
- Apply and submit youth employment applications to youth serving employment programs
- Assist with the completion of grant applications and reports
Ideal Candidate
- Bachelor’s or Associate degree in a related field and 2+ years of experience working with youth in community, school, or nonprofit settings; or 3+ years of relevant experience without a degree
- Experienced in coordinating and facilitating youth programs and workshops for ages 14–19, with a focus on engagement, leadership development, and youth-led initiatives
- Understanding of youth development, identity, and trauma-informed practices
- Creative thinker with a collaborative, youth-first mindset
- Comfortable navigating ambiguity and co-creating with youth rather than always leading
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills, especially with youth from diverse backgrounds
- Passion for social justice and an interest in issues like food access, health equity, and sustainable transportation
- Comfort with flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends
- Ability to engage in physical activity (e.g., walking, biking, gardening, community events)
- Proficiency in tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and social media platforms
- Experience working in or with communities of color and multilingual communities; bilingual in Haitian Creole and/or Spanish is a plus
- Familiarity with or commitment to the Mattapan community; Local applicants from Mattapan, Dorchester, or Roxbury are strongly encouraged to apply
- Project management experience is a plus
- Ability to travel locally via public transit, bike, or car
- Must pass CORI/SORI background check
Please note MFFC is an active organization meaning the Youth Development Program Manager will be participating in physical activity such as biking, gardening, farming, walking, lifting, etc.
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The physical demands described for this position are that of a typical office environment. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Ability to sit and/or for extended periods of time in front of a computer screen is an essential aspect of the position. There may be a need to lift and/or move materials or equipment.
Location:
Hybrid
1613 Blue Hill Ave, Suite 307
Mattapan, MA 02126
Schedule:
- Expected to work some evenings and weekends to accommodate youth and community availability
Regarding COVID-19: TSNE considers the health and safety of our employees of the utmost importance, and due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and subject to your state and local laws, our policy requires that all employees performing in-person work at a TSNE designated office are fully vaccinated. For the purpose of this policy, fully vaccinated indicates that you have received a single dose of the Janssen vaccine, or both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. Certain exemptions may be requested and will be considered by Human Resources.
TSNE/MFFC strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/MFFC prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/MFFC celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.
TSNE/MFFC’s EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.
