The VISTA members will work with the Covenant House staff to help create effective change in the lives of homeless youth throughout the Anchorage community. This organization is dedicated to helping youth escape the cycle of poverty, by supplying them with the resources, education and job opportunities. You will work with the Covenant House staff to raise its capacity and develop resources that will be used to help the organization reach this vulnerable populations.
Service Activities
1. Work with the staff, youth and volunteers to help identify the needs of the organization and the clients
2. Work with supervisor on developing a large project that will create a sustainable impact on the organization
Community Need Addressed
Covenant House Alaska (CHA) has served homeless Alaskan youth with a sixty-bed crisis shelter and wrap around services that consists of street outreach, ongoing education, a drop in services center, an emergency shelter, and a primary care clinic. CHA will engage a cohort of five VISTA Members to improve CHA’s systems, processes, and programs that benefit homeless youth. Thereby expanding the organizations reach and allowing them to provide more quality services to that benefit the life of the homeless youth in the Anchorage community.
Position Outcomes
By the end of service the AmeriCorps member will be play a vital role in expanding the capacity of the Covenant House. This can come in many forms depending on the project and the VISTA member. Examples of large projects include starting a coffee house that hires homeless youth, planning a community event and developing a volunteer tracking system.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
100$ monthly housing allowance. Reimbursement for transportation done on the job or monthly bus pass.
Education Benefits
College Degree
Skills you will gain
public speaking, teamwork, project management, research
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, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, 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