Description
We are still hiring through COVID-19; see our statement here: http://choice-staging.umbc.edu/choice-responds-covid-19/
Are you motivated to serve your community? Do you want to tackle social justice issues in a meaningful way? Are you dedicated to personal growth and the growth of those around you? Join us for a transformative year of service investing in youth, supporting families, and building community.
The Basics
This AmeriCorps position is a one-year, paid, service-learning opportunity through UMBC's The Choice Program and The Shriver Center. Our AmeriCorps Members serve as advocates and work to connect families to self-identified, needed resources and reinforce a strengths-based, anti-racist, approach to youth development.
The Choice Program’s guiding principle is anti-racism, which we uphold through our accountability to the following values: 1) being youth-centered, 2) dismantling hierarchies, 3) practicing holistic development, and 4) believing in humanity. AmeriCorps members collaborate on teams that serve youth through individualized, strengths-based services and focus on restorative practices.
Choice has served Maryland’s youth for over 30 years and currently has several exciting service opportunities based in the Greater Baltimore area, Prince George's County, Howard County, and Montgomery County.
What You’d Do
Serving within a team model, AmeriCorps members share case management responsibilities for program youth, including welcoming them into the program through intake meetings, helping them to set goals for their time with Choice, checking in with them along the way through service plans, connecting them with community resources, and offering classroom and/or legal support. You’ll make meaningful connections with the young people you serve, offering informal counseling/mentoring on recreational outings, community service activities, arts programming, home visits and beyond.
To us, youth development means: being available to our youth consistently, often making visits to meet with them on a daily basis; using a strengths-based approach to promote positive self-image; using a holistic approach to honor every aspect of a person’s life; developing high expectations and holding youth accountable to their own progress on goals; forming a mentoring relationship that is built on trust and rapport; engaging with families and assisting as a communication link; fostering self-sufficiency by building life-skills; providing opportunities for meaningful engagement through structured after-school, weekend and summer activities.
Service is completed collaboratively at Choice, from case management of youth to organizational decision making. In addition to day-to-day case management responsibilities, you’ll participate in cooperative projects, team-based decision making, and organizational committees.
Due to the nature of the workflow and youth needs, AmeriCorps members must be flexible with their schedules. Members should expect some weeks to include serving hours beyond a 40-hour week.
You’ll serve your full year of service in one of two programs
Department of Juvenile Services Intensive Advocacy: This program aims to keep youth out of detention centers and connected to their communities. This is carried out through the service plan model, supporting youth in creating and attaining personal goals that bolster their personal success and aid in disentanglement with the juvenile justice system. (Locations: Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County, Howard County, and Montgomery County)
Choice Jobs: This program provides youth with job readiness training in a classroom and workplace setting. This is carried out in our three social enterprise locations as well as through partnerships with community employers. (Locations: Baltimore City)
Requirements
Use of personal, insured vehicle for work duties.
Availability on nights and weekends.
Completion of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of relevant work and education experience.
What’s in it for me?
$24,930 living stipend with health benefits and mileage reimbursement at 57.5c/mile. Eligible for AmeriCorps Education Award of $6,095. SNAP and childcare eligibility. May be eligible for loan forbearance.
This commitment offers you the chance to gain a wealth of experience in the fields of education, case management, youth development, human services, and social justice. During a service year, AmeriCorps members establish networks in the nonprofit and public sector and, most importantly, make an impact on the lives of youth.
AmeriCorps members are supported by a structured training program to develop their leadership in human services.
Connect with us!
Our Website: http://www.choiceprograms.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChoiceProgram/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choicevoices/
Apply Here!: https://listings.umbc.edu/cw/en-us/job/493206/americorps-member
(Choice accepts applications on a rolling basis--we are currently interviewing applicants with start dates as soon as late April and as late as October.)
We are still hiring through COVID-19; see our statement here: http://choice-staging.umbc.edu/choice-responds-covid-19/
Are you motivated to serve your community? Do you want to tackle social justice issues in a meaningful way? Are you dedicated to personal growth and the growth of those around you? Join us for a transformative year of service investing in youth, supporting families, and building community.
The Basics
This AmeriCorps position is a one-year, paid, service-learning opportunity through UMBC's The Choice Program and The Shriver Center. Our AmeriCorps Members serve as advocates and work to connect families to self-identified, needed resources and reinforce a strengths-based, anti-racist, approach to youth development.
The Choice Program’s guiding principle is anti-racism, which we uphold through our accountability to the following values: 1) being youth-centered, 2) dismantling hierarchies, 3) practicing holistic development, and 4) believing in humanity. AmeriCorps members collaborate on teams that serve youth through individualized, strengths-based services and focus on restorative practices.
Choice has served Maryland’s youth for over 30 years and currently has several exciting service opportunities based in the Greater Baltimore area, Prince George's County, Howard County, and Montgomery County.
What You’d Do
Serving within a team model, AmeriCorps members share case management responsibilities for program youth, including welcoming them into the program through intake meetings, helping them to set goals for their time with Choice, checking in with them along the way through service plans, connecting them with community resources, and offering classroom and/or legal support. You’ll make meaningful connections with the young people you serve, offering informal counseling/mentoring on recreational outings, community service activities, arts programming, home visits and beyond.
To us, youth development means: being available to our youth consistently, often making visits to meet with them on a daily basis; using a strengths-based approach to promote positive self-image; using a holistic approach to honor every aspect of a person’s life; developing high expectations and holding youth accountable to their own progress on goals; forming a mentoring relationship that is built on trust and rapport; engaging with families and assisting as a communication link; fostering self-sufficiency by building life-skills; providing opportunities for meaningful engagement through structured after-school, weekend and summer activities.
Service is completed collaboratively at Choice, from case management of youth to organizational decision making. In addition to day-to-day case management responsibilities, you’ll participate in cooperative projects, team-based decision making, and organizational committees.
Due to the nature of the workflow and youth needs, AmeriCorps members must be flexible with their schedules. Members should expect some weeks to include serving hours beyond a 40-hour week.
You’ll serve your full year of service in one of two programs
Department of Juvenile Services Intensive Advocacy: This program aims to keep youth out of detention centers and connected to their communities. This is carried out through the service plan model, supporting youth in creating and attaining personal goals that bolster their personal success and aid in disentanglement with the juvenile justice system. (Locations: Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County, Howard County, and Montgomery County)
Choice Jobs: This program provides youth with job readiness training in a classroom and workplace setting. This is carried out in our three social enterprise locations as well as through partnerships with community employers. (Locations: Baltimore City)
Requirements
Use of personal, insured vehicle for work duties.
Availability on nights and weekends.
Completion of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of relevant work and education experience.
What’s in it for me?
$24,930 living stipend with health benefits and mileage reimbursement at 57.5c/mile. Eligible for AmeriCorps Education Award of $6,095. SNAP and childcare eligibility. May be eligible for loan forbearance.
This commitment offers you the chance to gain a wealth of experience in the fields of education, case management, youth development, human services, and social justice. During a service year, AmeriCorps members establish networks in the nonprofit and public sector and, most importantly, make an impact on the lives of youth.
AmeriCorps members are supported by a structured training program to develop their leadership in human services.
Connect with us!
Our Website: http://www.choiceprograms.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChoiceProgram/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choicevoices/
Apply Here!: https://listings.umbc.edu/cw/en-us/job/493206/americorps-member
(Choice accepts applications on a rolling basis--we are currently interviewing applicants with start dates as soon as late April and as late as October.)
Read More
Living Allowance
$1480
-
$1480 monthly
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Additional Benefits
- SNAP Benefits
- Mileage reimbursement (57.5 cents/mile)
Education Requirements
Some College
Desired Certifications or Qualifications
Requires completion of bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of relevant work and education experience (30 credits=1 year).
Desired Languages
English
Other Conditions
Car recommended
Uniforms provided and required
Subject to criminal background check