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. The Volunteer Management VISTA member will break the cycle of youth poverty and homelessness by increasing community volunteerism at Covenant House. Volunteers are an essential component of expanding services available to homeless Alaskan youth.
Service Activities
1. Volunteer Recruitment
2. Create a database for tracking volunteers
3. Develop a volunteer handbook for future volunteers
4. Work with other members of the Covanent house staff to create ways to help break the cycle of poverty
Community Need Addressed
This position will work with an organization that works with the youth in Anchorage Alaska. Covenant house provides a variety of services including job training, housing, medical care and recreational activities. This organization gives the homeless youth a safe environment were they can get the services they need.
Position Outcomes
Volunteers are a key part of the success of the Covenant House. The VISTA will create a program that increases the number of volunteers in the organization. The VISTA will also track the number of volunteers that are volunteering with Covenant House.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
A housing allowance of 100$ per month and RurAL CAP pays for transportation during work hours.
Education Benefits
College Degree
Experience in non profits, working with children and managing recommended but not required.
Skills you will gain
volunteer recruitment, volunteer management, project management , teamwork, public speaking
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
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise
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
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
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
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