Jerusalem Farm is a Catholic intentional community located in Kansas City, Missouri, built on the four cornerstones of Prayer, Community, Service and Simplicity. We strive to transform our lives and those around us through service retreat experiences, sustainable living and home repair. Since we began serving Northeast neighborhoods of Kansas City in 2012, we have seen homeowners struggle to make sense of ambiguous code violation letters from the city. Without a clear idea of what is expected of them—and a language barrier often complicating matters—many homeowners end up racking up large fines and court dates for violations that could easily be remediated. The Codes Resource Advocate will serve a vital role in creating and implementing an alternative approach that shifts code enforcement work away from city jurisdiction, empowering our largely low-income neighbors and alleviating the burden placed on them. The CRA will also be responsible for conducting community outreach work in the Northeast area.
Service Activities
Architectural Planning ,
Leadership ,
Trade/Construction ,
Team Work ,
General Skills .
Community Need Addressed
Difficulty for home owners in poverty to repair homes. Difficulty for urban residents to access environmentally sustainable methods and difficult for people in poverty to access fresh fruits and vegetables.
Position Outcomes
Increased access to fresh and healthy foods. Revitalize neighborhoods, reduce blight, and increase home ownership.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Training
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
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
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them
Tools
Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently
Service
Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others