AmeriCorps members will serve as program assistants for several RCLC initiatives serving youth and young adults in South Bend, IN. These program initiatives focus on academic achievement and enrichment, interpersonal skills, and personal development, and they incorporate curricular content in math/science, conflict resolution/violence prevention, Shakespeare and drama integration, and entrepreneurship.
Members will coordinate program activities, recruit participants and volunteers, provide direct instruction, supervise and train volunteers, assist in managing community partnerships, and helping with program evaluation. Activities occur at the RCLC as well as at outreach sites throughout the community.
Each AmeriCorps member will serve as a program assistant to one of the following programs:
Robinson Shakespeare Company--offers after-school drama programs and in-class drama integration at five partner schools and three local agencies, as well as an RCLC club for youth ages 8-18. This outreach impacts more than 1000 youth.
RCLC Youth Entrepreneurship Program--this program provides a club for RCLC youth, ages 12-18, that focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and 21st Century Skills, and also offers outreach classes is also offered at four high schools. Individual mentoring is provided for participants.
Take Ten--this program teaches conflict resolution/violence prevention to youth, grades K-12, and to adults. The program is implemented by more than 100 volunteers in 17 schools/agencies, impacting 2000 participants.
Westville Education Initiative--this project sponsored by Holy Cross College, The University of Notre Dame, the Robinson Community Learning Center, and the Bard Prison Initiative, and offers classes at the Westville Prison.
Service Activities
Program Assistants will:
• Provide direct instruction in content areas to program participants, at the RCLC or at community sites.
• Coordinate activities for program volunteers. This includes: development of recruiting materials, attendance at recruitment events, placement and scheduling of volunteers, ongoing correspondence with volunteers, coordination of orientation and training, and ongoing supervision.
• Develop and maintain relationships with new and existing program partners, including schools and other community agencies.
• Assist with planning and implementation of program expansion to include new sites or activities .
• Assist with program evaluation. This may include coordinating pre-post surveys, collecting and entering data, interviewing participants, and preparing reports.
• Assist in curriculum development.
• Maintain records and paperwork required by RCLC programs.
• Document program activities.
Community Need Addressed
Youth and young adults in the South Bend community face a number of risk factors. The South Bend Community School Corporation graduation rate falls 11% below the state average; 20% of 18-24 year olds have no high school degree. Only 58.6% of SBCSC children passed the ISTEPs compared to 72.4% statewide. School attendance rates are lower than state averages. A significant percentage of area children feel their schools are unsafe. SBCSC free/reduced lunch rates exceed the state average by 23.7%. Limited afterschool programs and lack of supervision after school leads to a high incidence of youth loitering on the streets from 3-6pm--the most vulnerable time for youth to engage in or become victims of crime.
Position Outcomes
Youth and adults will demonstrate increased reading and language arts performance.
Youth and adults will demonstrate gains in skills such as problem solving, teamwork, critical thinking, and public speaking, as well as in content knowledge.
Youth and adults will demonstrate demonstrate positive gains in knowledge, feelings, and attitudes toward violence, and will show growth in conflict resolution skills.
Youth and adults will engage in curricular activities and enrichment opportunities not otherwise offered in their educational settings, that will foster skills necessary for successful transition to higher education or employment.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Training
Skills you will gain
program administration
teaching
conflict resolution
supervisory skills
teamwork
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, 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