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Empowerment Navigators

The road from instability to long-term stability can take as long as five to seven years. Empowerment Navigators play an important role, as long-term support is crucial in walking beside people to build resources as they move toward stability

Empowerment Navigators are vetted and equipped community volunteers who work with local organizations focused on empowering people to overcome challenges to their stability.

Empowerment Navigators help individuals:

  • Gain clarity on their circumstances and current realities
  • Remove barriers and build resources
  • Explore underlying drivers of decisions and behaviors that impact overall wellbeing
  • Develop resilience, confidence, and independence to build a future

Key responsibilities include:

Accountability and Accessibility

  • Make contact weekly and meet at least monthly for at least twelve months
  • Act as a mentor/coach to help them stay on track and adjust plans as needed
  • Help them develop self-advocacy and decision-making skills

Assessment and Planning

  • Use the Thrive Lights Wellbeing priorities chosen by the individual
  • Address no more than 5 goals at a time, prioritized by the individual

Research Connections

  • Connect them with the resources available through the Thrive Lights Bank of Solutions
  • Help individuals and families access public benefits and services
  • Help them establish relationships with community hubs and faith-based organizations

Limitations and Advocacy

  • Refer them to specialized agencies when needed
  • Inform professional organizations of systematic barriers to necessary services

Professionalism and Confidentiality

  • Establish rapport by demonstrating empathy, leadership, and humility
  • Share your own experiences with similar challenges
  • Maintain privacy and confidentiality. 

Recruitment and Reflection

  • Learn from and share with other Empowerment Navigators
  • Invite and encourage others to engage in community support services

Training for Navigators

Empowerment Navigators will train in the following ways:

  • Attend a Bridges Out of Poverty Workshop (and COPE Poverty Simulation if possible)
  • Attend Empowerment Navigator Networking events to interact with other Empowerment Navigators and learn insights and updates on walking others to stability.
  • Attend an Empowerment Navigator Training session to learn:
    • How to read and use Thrive Lights results
    • How to set and maintain boundaries
    • Trauma-Informed Care
    • Asking Powerful Questions
  • To apply to become an Empowerment Navigator, follow this link and fill out a form hosted on monday.com
  • To register for an upcoming Empowerment Navigator training, follow this link and fill out a form hosted on monday.com