Breast Cancer Peer Advocate

Job Title: Breast Cancer Peer Advocate & Community Advisory Board Member

Time Commitment: 10-15 hours per month

Reports to: Senior Manager of Direct Services & Programs 

Compensation: $500 per month 

Location: Chicago, IL/Hybrid as determined by organizational needs 

The Organization:

Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland is a Black LGBTQ+-led, multiracial social justice organization that advances justice for Black LGBTQ+ people across Chicagoland through empowerment, education, and entertainment. Since July 2019, Lighthouse Foundation has launched the nation's first equity index centered on Black LGBTQ+ people, the Lighthouse Foundation Equity Index, partnered with 31 organizations, and hosted 87 activations with 4,300 Chicagoans.

The Role:

Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland is seeking a compassionate and community-oriented Breast Cancer Peer Advocate to support Black LGBTQ+ people who are at increased risk for breast cancer, navigating screening or treatment, or living as survivors.

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Direct Services and working closely with the Community Health Worker, the Peer Advocate will use lived experience and relationship-building to co-lead a monthly support group, conduct individual outreach, help develop programming, and connect participants with resources and opportunities. The Peer Advocate will also serve on Lighthouse Foundation’s Community Advisory Board (CAB), helping ensure breast and chest health needs are reflected across organizational programming.

The ideal candidate is personable, empathetic, dependable, and skilled at bringing people together through meaningful conversations, events, and peer support. This stipended contract role is primarily remote, with periodic in-person responsibilities throughout the Chicagoland area.

Responsibilities:

Community Leadership & Strategic Coordination — 40%

• Serve as a visible peer leader and ambassador for Lighthouse Foundation’s breast cancer prevention efforts.

• Attend and actively participate in recurring organizational and program meetings, including:

  • Monthly Leadership Council meeting

  • Monthly Community Advisory Board meeting

  • Monthly public support-group session

  • Approximately 1–2 organizational or program retreats annually

• Serve as an active member of Lighthouse Foundation’s Community Advisory Board and elevate breast and chest health priorities within broader organizational programming.

• Collaborate with the Community Health Worker, Senior Manager of Direct Services, CAB members, staff, and contractors on program priorities, outreach, events, and participant engagement.

• Help identify emerging needs, barriers, and opportunities affecting Black LGBTQ+ people navigating breast and chest health concerns.

• Represent Lighthouse Foundation as appropriate, with community partners, member organizations, funders, media, and other external stakeholders.

• Contribute ideas and feedback to the continued development, visibility, and growth of Lighthouse Foundation’s breast and chest health programming. 

Peer Support, Outreach & Program Facilitation — 60%

• Co-plan and co-facilitate a monthly support-group session for Black lesbian, bisexual, cis, and trans women who are predisposed to, navigating treatment for, and/or survivors of breast cancer

• Help create a welcoming, affirming, confidential, and community-centered environment where participants can share experiences, ask questions, build relationships, and receive peer support.

• Contribute lived-experience perspectives to the development and delivery of support-group curricula, discussion topics, activities, and educational programming.

• Conduct one-on-one outreach and relationship-building with prospective and current participants to encourage engagement and sustained participation.

• Facilitate or support smaller peer conversations and community-building activities between larger group sessions when appropriate.

• Help identify participants' interests, concerns, and resource needs, and communicate them to the Community Health Worker and the Senior Manager of Direct Services.

• Encourage participants to access appropriate medical, social service, mental health, and community resources while maintaining clear boundaries between peer support and clinical or medical guidance.

• Share participant feedback and observations that can strengthen future programming while protecting participant privacy and confidentiality.

Job Requirements

• Lived experience as a Black cis or trans woman navigating breast cancer risk, screening, diagnosis, treatment, or survivorship strongly preferred.

• Deep commitment to social justice, anti-racism, health equity, and Black LGBTQ+ liberation.

• Ability and willingness to thoughtfully use lived experience to support, encourage, and empower others.

• Understanding of the boundaries of peer advocacy, including the importance of referring medical, mental-health, and other clinical questions to qualified professionals rather than providing medical advice.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish trust with people experiencing sensitive, stressful, or life-changing circumstances.

• Comfort facilitating conversations about breast cancer, health, bodies, sexuality, identity, treatment, survivorship, and related topics with empathy and cultural humility.

• Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Experience with community organizing, peer support, event planning, advocacy, health education, or community programming preferred.

• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently in a primarily remote environment.

• Comfort using Google Workspace, Zoom, email, shared calendars, and similar technology.

• Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality and professional boundaries when working with participants.

• Flexibility, adaptability, reliability, and a collaborative spirit.

• Ability to periodically attend programs, meetings, events, and retreats in person throughout the Chicagoland area.

How to Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@lightfoundchi.org with the subject line “Breast Cancer Peer Advocate.” The deadline to apply is October 16, 2026.

Black lesbian, bisexual, cis, and trans women who are predisposed to, navigating treatment for, and/or survivors of breast cancer are strongly encouraged to apply. Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.