VISTA members' service will expand host sites' abilities to increase the Commonwealth's supply of affordable housing; prevent and end homelessness; and better respond to an ever-changing federal, state, and local affordable housing policy environment. Implementing stronger volunteer recruitment, management, and programs with the assistance of VISTAs can help partner organizations increase their long-term abilities to serve clients in this financially challenging environment. Small housing agencies across Kentucky struggle to meet the increasing need for economically disadvantaged individuals and families. Nonprofit agencies providing housing and homeless services are now faced with critical challenges and opportunities that call for capacity-building support.
Service Activities
Responsibilities of VISTA members serving at host sites will include: outreach; community engagement; volunteer recruitment and retention, attending interagency meetings and networking with other service organizations and groups; fundraising and education; grant research and writing; and researching and developing new policies and procedures. Homes for All VISTA members will serve at partner agencies to recruit and manage volunteers to assist with the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing, plan and help conduct events, and work with clients in need, among other activities.
Community Need Addressed
The focus of the Homes for All VISTA program is to partner with organizations to increase their capacity to develop, repair, or otherwise make available affordable housing for low-income individuals, families, or people with disabilities; to provide housing services to economically disadvantaged individuals, including homeless persons; and to transition these individuals into safe, healthy, affordable housing. We also help build the capacity of organizations that provide services essential to housing stability, such as healthcare and food security. Kentucky has a shortage of affordable housing options for low-income households; 21.4% of homeowners and 67% of extremely low-income renters are severely cost-burdened and pay more than 30% of monthly adjusted gross income on housing costs.
Position Outcomes
The capacity-building efforts that Homes for All VISTAs can provide to host agencies will help ensure the long-term sustainability of nonprofits throughout the Commonwealth by providing essential affordable housing and homeless services to low-income residents. VISTA members will work to increase the number of affordable housing units throughout the Commonwealth and develop outreach systems that will link people to services in their own communities. VISTAs are important to the future of Kentucky's small nonprofits that do not currently have the capacity to strengthen these important functions, especially in rural areas of the state.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree, GED/High School Diploma
Skills you will gain
Public speaking, project management, volunteer management, teamwork, communication, timekeeping, interpersonal relationships, and professional soft skills (emails, Microsoft Office, etc.)
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others
Creativity & Problem Solving
Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions
Planning
Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization