Empowerment Navigators

Long-term support is crucial for Getting Ahead graduates to build resources and transition to stability. Navigators play an empowering role, walking side-by-side with Investigators as they move toward stability. Navigators do not drive the vehicle for the Investigators but let them be the driver and guide them to identify resources along the way that remove barriers and build stability.

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What is an Empowerment Navigator?

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
• Be in 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 skillsAssessment and Planning
• Conduct initial and follow-up ThriveLights Wellbeing assessments or reviews
• Address no more than 5 goals at a time, prioritized by the individualResource Connections
• Connect them with the solutions available through ThriveLights assessment
• Help individuals and families access public benefits and services
• Help them establish relationships with community hubs and faith-based groupsLimitations and Advocacy
• Refer them to specialized agencies when needed
• Inform professional organizations of systemic barriers to necessary servicesProfessionalism and Confidentiality
• Establish rapport by demonstrating empathy, leadership, and humility
• Share your own experiences with similar challenges
• Maintain privacy and confidentiality. Never compromise matters of confidence or trustRecruitment 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 a Navigator Training session in which you will learn
o How to read and use Thrive Lights results
o Boundaries
o Trauma-informed Care
o Asking Powerful Questions
• Attend Empowerment Navigator Networking events to interact with other Empowerment Navigators and learn insights and updates on walking others to stability.

Core Principles for Navigators

The principles from which an Empowerment Navigator should operate are as follows:
• Treat the Investigator with DIGNITY, respecting their inherent worth, enabling them to live their lives as they see fit.
• Exercise OPENNESS with Investigators, allowing free movement of ideas, being open to new and different ideas from your own.
• Allow the plan and actions taken by the Investigator to come from the BOTTOM UP.
• Embrace a win-win approach that leads to a MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL relationship.
• Assist the Investigator in SELF-ACTUALIZATION so that they are continually discovering, developing and applying their unique gifts to benefit others.