United Way of the Piedmont has 20 part-time AmeriCorps positions available in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties! Great for anyone who wants to gain experience in the nonprofit sector, serve the community, and receive an education award to pay off student loans or future education.
Service Activities
The two primary responsibilities of Financial Stability Navigators are listed below. Members will be provided with in-depth orientation and on-going training to support their work.
Care Coordination
Using tools like Charity Tracker and the Readiness Screening Tool, Navigators will conduct client intake interviews, help develop personal goal plans, make referrals to assistance and programs, and check-in with clients frequently as they work toward their goals.
VITA
During tax season, Navigators will complete IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) training at the basic level (minimum) and complete and file client taxes for free for low- to moderate-income families in the community.
Community Need Addressed
Through United Way of the Piedmont's AmeriCorps Program, AmeriCorps members serve as Financial Stability Navigators at local organizations in the Piedmont region of South Carolina to address critical community needs related to economic opportunity by directly serving low-income households.
Position Outcomes
Through United Way's AmeriCorps Program, 20 AmeriCorps members serve part-time over the course of a year as Financial Stability Navigators at local organizations in the Piedmont region of South Carolina. Members directly serve low-income households at nonprofit organizations by providing case management and financial literacy services, preparing and filing income tax returns for free, and assisting households to apply for state and federal benefits. Members are provided with in-depth orientation and ongoing training to support their work.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
- Modest living allowance up to $6,300
- Eli Segal Education Award to be used toward student loans or further education. This award can be received up to 4 times in our program.
- Monthly shopping at United Way of the Piedmont's Gifts in Kind Center for household items, such as paper products and cleaning supplies
- Professional development training and workshops
- AmeriCorps members are often eligible to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (food stamps) and other assistance programs
Skills you will gain
Case management, Financial Coaching, tax preparation, Benefit Bank Counseling, Mental Health First Aid
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, 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, 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
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
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, 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