Capacity Building to End Homelessness AmeriCorps VISTA members will perform service activities in the following areas: Community Awareness & Engagement, Expanding/Strengthening Partnerships & Networks, Financial Resources, and Volunteer Generation and Management.
Service Activities
Based on the needs of the host sites, activities may include but are not limited to: facilitating community meetings, preparing informational materials and presentations, networking with community organizations, developing and implementing communications and media plans, conducting community education efforts, researching funding opportunities, securing funding and sponsors, creating data tracking systems, creating volunteer training and management policies, and recruiting and managing volunteers
Community Need Addressed
Members will provide support to housing service providers and homelessness-focused non-profits in order to increase their capacity and build sustainability in order for the organizations to better serve their communities. Members will perform service activities in the following areas: Community Awareness & Engagement, Expanding/Strengthening Partnerships & Networks, Financial Resources, and Volunteer Generation and Management.
Position Outcomes
Through their service, members will increase the scale, reach, efficiency, effectiveness, and resources of the host site agencies. This includes leveraging resources, recruiting/managing community volunteers, creating/expanding partnerships, and increasing community awareness, engagement, and support.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Student loan forbearance, Training
$200/month housing stipend paid to landlord or mortgage provider.
Skills you will gain
Project management, professional communication, fund development, volunteer management
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, 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, Improvise, 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, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, 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, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, 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, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment