Community Support Manager

Role: Community Support Manager

Organization: Connecting to Cure Crohn’s and Colitis

Location: Los Angeles (Hybrid): Local candidates strongly preferred; remote considered for highly qualified applicants

Type: Part-time (10-15 hours/week)

Rate: $28-30/hour (based on experience)

About Connecting to Cure

Connecting to Cure Crohn's & Colitis (CtoC) is dedicated to transforming the landscape of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) care and support for both patients and caregivers. Our mission is to connect and support the IBD community, accelerate research, and amplify awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Our guiding principle is the belief that fostering an engaged and informed community leads to better outcomes for patients and caregivers. CtoC is committed to raising awareness and advocating for the IBD community to empower families and amplify voices, as well as creating a support network to ensure no one feels alone. By uniting the IBD community, we drive meaningful change through targeted research, and we bridge the gap between medical advancements and the urgent needs of patients and caregivers to connect with others, find support, and learn to better manage their disease.

Role Overview

We are seeking a compassionate and driven Community Support Manager to lead our support programs and foster meaningful connections between patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and volunteers. This person will be responsible for managing (and, when needed, facilitating) support groups, overseeing our mentorship program, and managing our Leadership Development Council for young volunteers. This is a leadership position.

The ideal candidate has (1) personal experience with IBD as either a patient or caregiver, (2) a background in social work, counseling, or patient advocacy, and (3) passion about providing emotional support, encouragement, and community-building opportunities for those impacted by chronic illness.

Key Responsibilities:

Support Group Coordination

 - Serve as a point of contact for patients, caregivers, and facilitators, answering inquiries and addressing concerns. 

- Manage, administer, and oversee a variety of monthly support groups (patient, caregiver, and siblings/children).

 - Coordinate facilitators, ensuring proper training and preparation.

 - Possibly facilitate support groups when needed.

 - Cultivate and maintain relationships with healthcare providers to ensure their patients and families are referred to our support groups and programs.

 - Contribute to the development of new support programs and initiatives, and expand the resources available to patients and families.

Mentor Program Management

 - Respond to inquiries from individuals seeking to be mentors or needing a mentor.

 - Conduct initial and follow-up calls to assess mentor/mentee needs and qualifications.

 - Oversee the mentor application process, maintaining records of mentor/mentee waivers, forms, and reports.

 - Organize quarterly mentor group meetings, as well as individual check-ins.

 - Continuously update and improve mentor resources for both mentors and mentees to enhance program effectiveness.

Leadership Development Council (LDC) Coordination

 - Facilitate the LDC, working with teen and young adult volunteers who want to contribute to Connecting to Cure’s mission.

 - Engage young leaders in advocacy, peer mentorship, and community-building projects.

 - Provide ongoing support to LDC members with their individual projects and offer regular check-ins.

 - Oversee LDC members’ content creation, including social media posts, videos, and blogs.

Advocacy & Relationship Building

 - Advocate for patients by building relationships with healthcare providers, advocacy groups, and community partners.

 - Serve as a bridge between patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, empowering them to better navigate their disease.

 - Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers for events, program support, and other initiatives.

Ideal Qualifications & Experience

 - Personal experience with IBD as a patient or as a caregiver (preferred).

 - Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

 - Ability to manage multiple programs, stay organized, and handle sensitive patient concerns with empathy and professionalism.

- Bachelor’s (required) or equivalent experience and Master’s (preferred) with a degree in social work, psychology, counseling, public health, or a related field. 

- Background in patient advocacy, community engagement, or nonprofit work.

- Experience working with volunteers and young adults is a plus.

Why Join Us?

At Connecting to Cure, you will make a direct impact on the lives of individuals and families affected by IBD. This role offers a unique opportunity to blend advocacy, emotional support, mentorship, and leadership development in a dynamic and supportive environment. If you’re passionate about helping others and building a strong, compassionate community, we’d love to hear from you.

Please send your cover letter and resume to connections@connectingtocure.org