Service Position Summary: The Supportive Programming Specialist will expand supportive services for tenants at Espero apartments and Emergency Housing Voucher program participants through the Statewide Supportive Housing Expansion Pilot Project (SWSHE). The member will provide direct services to Espero residents and people exiting homelessness and transitioning into housing. The member will identify tenancy-sustaining services for individuals with complex needs and work with program staff to find new and creative ways to deliver needed services.
Service Activities
Through hands-on-service, Team UP AmeriCorps members engage with organizations to develop, implement, and enhance programs, projects, and activities that develop their
own skills, expand effectiveness of southwest Colorado organizations, and support local people to thrive. These duties include:
● Provide direct service to people experiencing homelessness, including assessment, support, application assistance, and connections with additional community resources
● Plan and facilitate recreation and socialization opportunities for Espero tenants and SWSHE
participants
● Engage Espero residents and SWSHE participants in volunteer opportunities
● Provide basic technological assistance to support Espero residents and SWSHE participants
● Assess tenancy-sustaining services and identify gaps
● Develop new and creative ways to fill gaps and deliver supportive services to Espero residents and SWSHE participants
● Track host site and AmeriCorps data
● Attend Team UP AmeriCorps regional trainings, cohort connection days, and Days of Service
Community Need Addressed
This position will address the needs of the homeless and unhoused population in Durango, Colorado.
Housing Solutions for the Southwest (HSSW) is a nonprofit based in Durango, Colorado focused on affordable housing programs and building housing stability in our communities. HSSW’s participation in the Team UP AmeriCorps program is an effort to expand the services offered to residents in our permanent supportive housing program at Espero apartments and Statewide Supportive Housing Expansion Pilot Project.
Position Outcomes
Housing Solutions for the Southwest (HSSW) is working to house unhoused people and help people transition into housing. The Supportive Programing Specialist will: increase the number of people receiving direct services through HSSW, will increase the amount of recreation and socialization opportunities for tenants at Espero Apartments, increase volunteer opportunities for residents, among other things.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Student loan forbearance
In addition to a monthly living allowance, members will receive the following:
● An education award of $3,447.50 upon successful completion of term of service.
● Health Insurance
● Childcare Assistance, if qualifications are met
● It is possible to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps member
● Mileage reimbursement for travel to required AmeriCorps trainings, events, and days of service
● Non-tangible benefits including extensive training, valuable experience, networking, and the
opportunity to serve the local community in a crucial area of need
Education Benefits
Team UP AmeriCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% of total hours served may be spent in applicable, approved trainings
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
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