The AmeriCorps VISTA will serve with the Liberty County Disaster Recovery Committee (LCDR), community organizations, and service providers to help restore the well-being of area residents affected by Hurricane Harvey. The VISTA member will help organize faith-based and non-profit communities respond cooperatively and collaboratively for future events. The member will identify local resources and needs. Additionally, the VISTA will work to mobilize volunteers to address the long-term housing, health, and basic human needs of families and individuals that were affected. They will work with the Unmet Needs Committee to assist in distributing grants and resources for household recovery efforts. They will also work with the LCDR to help expand existing capacity as well as refine and expand the current recovery plan to be ready for future disasters
Service Activities
Member Duties : The VISTA will facilitate bringing together faith-based and social service organizations, civic groups, and businesses to assess long-term recovery needs. He/she will assist organizations involved at each level of recovery, with developing a Memorandum of Understanding and Standard Operating Procedures for working together in their long-term recovery needs. Additionally, the VISTA will serve as volunteer coordinator between local groups and volunteer resources to meet the overall needs of the project.
Community Need Addressed
According to The County Information Project, Texas Association of Counties (Data source: U.S. Census Bureau. Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates), approximately 20% of the Liberty County residents live in poverty. The Liberty County Strategic Plan for 2016 -2036, compiled by Texas A&M University Department of Architecture and Urban Planning in collaboration with The Liberty County Texas A&M Agra-Life Extension Service Rural Leadership Development Committee, reports that this population lives in substandard 25 plus years housing stock. The Strategic Plan, known locally as the Liberty County Community Report points out that the lack of affordable housing in the County is one of the major problems of poor residents.
Other key demographic data documented by the Community Report states that Liberty County is located 23 miles from the Gulf Coast and is very vulnerable to hurricanes. This rural County covers an area of 1,158 square miles, of which less than 10% is developed land and 1.5% is water. The Trinity River runs vertically through the center of the County before emptying into the Trinity Bay, an arm of Galveston Bay. This fact creates a large flooding vulnerability for many residents who live in flood-prone wetland areas.
Position Outcomes
The greatest outcome projected to be accomplished by the (1) VISTA member relates to the formation of a LCLTRC (Lincoln County Long Term Recovery Committee) structure needed to organize and maintain a strong Volunteer Network made up of Community volunteers, churches, and Community Based Organizations. This network will assume the responsibility of continuing the support needed to facilitate the ongoing LCLTRC activities throughout the County after the services of a VISTA member ends. Previous experience with VISTA on the part of the LCLTRC verifies that this outcome can be accomplished. As in the past, all energies applied to this process will be documented and turned over to current partners working with the LCLTRC.
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), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, 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
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, 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
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
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, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, 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 and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment