STEP AmeriCorps members will be responsible for expanding the capacity of non-profit organizations, who are focused on addressing community needs as well as enhance the knowledge of customers as it relates to various health-related programs. In addition, members will leverage additional volunteers who will be engaged in service projects throughout the community. Members as a corps will identify and provide opportunities for diverse individuals and families to become engaged in their community through volunteerism.
Service Activities
STEP AmeriCorps members serve with our partners for the majority of the term commitment. Members as a corps will also identify and provide opportunities for diverse individuals and families to become engaged in their community through volunteerism. All STEP AmeriCorps members: Make a one-year commitment (50 weeks). Gain valuable life and career experience. Receive a living allowance every other week. Obtain personal and professional training. Discover the satisfaction that you have made a real difference in your community. Full-time and reduced full-time members also Receive Health Coverage if not enrolled in any other insurance plan. Receive Child Care assistance, if eligible.
Community Need Addressed
As a Community Action Agency, STEP completes a community needs assessment every three-years. Through the 2018 Community Needs Assessment (CNA), community needs were documented utilizing various methodologies. The data gathered and analyzed provides the basis for all agency programming and supports community collaboration initiatives within STEP's service area. The data illustrates that social service agencies believe there are many community needs not getting adequate attention. When focus groups were asked about this, the
response pinpointed the lack of capacity in social service agencies to address areas of concern. STEP AmeriCorps members will support non-profit organizations through various interventions including resource development, systems development, training, volunteer management, and outreach. Additionally, in the 2018 CNA, Medical and Dental Care, specifically related to outreach and opportunities was a Key Need Category. Given this, STEP AmeriCorps members will also have the focus area of Healthy Futures through working with various partners focused on health initiatives and expanding the outreach through them. STEP AmeriCorps plans to continue to try to affect change by focusing on enhancing the capacity of non-profits to meet their missions and better address the identified community needs while strategically working with partners focused in areas related to health promotion to expand their outreach efforts.
Position Outcomes
STEP AmeriCorps members will increase their job readiness and develop new skills sets to move them along in their
future life path. Volunteers motivated through STEP AmeriCorps will increase community capacity through large-scale service events. Based on the STEP AmeriCorps member's role within an agency defined by the interventions of the performance measures, their service will build capacity and move the agency mission forward. The interventions that will be utilized to focus on capacity building, include resource development, systems development, training, volunteer management, and other specific tasks that will expand the work done in the community by social service agencies. While enhancing job and life skills of members is not a defined performance measure, STEP's mission is to move diverse individuals, families, and communities to self-sufficiency. Thus, providing STEP AmeriCorps members skills and experiences that will help them in the future as they move on to employment, in many cases, is very important.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree, Credential or Certification
Member will gain CPR/First Aid Certificates
Member will be trained in A.L.I.C.E.
Member will understand performance measures and data collection
Member will increase knowledge on health related issues
Skills you will gain
timekeeping, data collection, conflict resolution, resume building, public speaking, diversity, equity, inclusion,
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
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
Tools
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, 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