The Youth Program AmeriCorps Members will serve at Our House’s out-of-school program, called Our Club which serves 90 school age youth in grades Kindergarten-12th grade. Our Club operates every day after-school and all day during school breaks (winter break, spring break) and teacher in-service days. Our Club also operates a Summer Program for eight weeks over the summer. The Youth Program AmeriCorps Member will help to plan and implement enrichment activities for the youth, ensure the safety of all children in the program, help the youth with their homework and tutoring, and create an enriching, fun and safe environment for the youth.
To Apply
Email your resume and cover letter to vistaleader@ourhouseshelter.org. Include the words “Youth Programs AmeriCorps” in the email subject line.
Service Activities
Serve directly with youth during Our Club program hours (including after-school, summer, school holidays, and evening programming) in one of three homerooms: K-2nd grade, 3rd-5th grade, 6-12th grade.
Provide homework help to youth in the program in one of three homerooms: K-2nd grade,
3rd-5th grade, 6-12th grade.
Organize service projects to benefit the children and parents of Our House, including developing partnerships with outside organizations, recruiting volunteers, recruiting participants, and other activities necessary for successful service events
Develop and implement programming in one of our five programming areas: STEM, Arts, Cultural Enrichment, Health/Physical Fitness, and Life Skills.
Facilitate parent engagement programming for parents of Our Club children, i.e. Family Fun Night.
Serve to meet established outcomes goals for Our House’s AmeriCorps project, including: serve at least 150 school-aged children in Our Club, work to ensure 100 youth complete at least one semester in the program, and help at least 80% of those who stay for at least three months to maintain or improve their report card grades in literacy and math.
Assist in the collection of performance measurement data (report cards and test scores) to track and analyze progress towards the above outcomes.
Serve collaboratively with other AmeriCorps members, VISTA volunteers, and staff members to implement programs, achieve and track outcomes, and other activities to benefit the clients and programs of Our House.
Participate in AmeriCorps Days of Service.
Attend biweekly Our House AmeriCorps meetings led by the VISTA Leader.
Attend weekly Our House staff meetings and program development meetings as directed by supervisor.
The Arkansas Service Commission has determined that the probability of access to vulnerable populations is so great that all members will undergo all required criminal background checks: NSOPR, FBI, and Arkansas State Police, as well as other states, as necessary.
Community Need Addressed
Arkansas is an impoverished state that ranks near the bottom on a host of factors of economic well-being. Arkansas has the second worst rate of overall poverty in the country, with 19.8% of residents living in poverty (2012 Census Data). Arkansas also has the second worst rate of child poverty in the country, with 29% of children living in poverty (National KIDS COUNT study, Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2012). Because homelessness is in part a symptom of extreme poverty, it is unsurprising that Arkansas also ranks near the bottom on homelessness statistics. In particular, Arkansas ranks third worst in the nation on child & family homelessness (2014 State Report Card, National Center on Family Homelessness).
If Our House can succeed in our mission of making a lasting positive transformation in the lives of the homeless and near-homeless families and individuals we serve, we have the potential to make a statewide impact on these and other indicators of economic distress. But this is a challenging goal, requiring comprehensive, high-quality programs (1) that equip adults not only with jobs, but also with education and skills that help them turn their jobs into careers and with financial skills to help them manage their resources wisely; and (2) that prepare children for success in school, in college, and in their own careers, while also building their physical, emotional, and social health.
Position Outcomes
The Youth Program AmeriCorps Member will help to plan and implement enrichment activities for the youth, ensure the safety of all children in the program, help the youth with their homework and tutoring, and create an enriching, fun and safe environment for the youth.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Skills you will gain
Childcare, Project Management, K-12 Education, Public Speaking, Creation and Maintenance of Enrichment Activities
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
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