In Washington state many people have limited access to nutritious food (especially fresh fruits and vegetables), opportunities for community recreation and exercise, and education about healthy behaviors. Youth, older adults, and community members with a disability may face additional barriers. Our members serve in food banks, community garden programs, local government offices, and recreation programs where they grow and distribute nutritious food, provide educational and recreational programming, and empower community members to build lifelong healthy habits.
Service Activities
• Coordinate and distribute food assistance through schools, food banks, and home delivery.
• Plan and deliver workshops on healthy eating, exercise, cooking, etc.
• Develop and lead recreation programs and camps.
• Support special projects such as community gardens, gleaning, etc.
• Recruit, train, and/or manage community volunteers.
Community Need Addressed
Washington Service Corps Healthy Futures Positions serve diverse communities that face barriers to health including limited access to nutritious food, lack of information and education about healthy practices and behaviors, limited opportunities for exercise and health promoting social interactions.
Position Outcomes
Individuals will experience improved access to nutritious food, be more physically active, and feel empowered to create and sustain their own healthy communities and practices.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Skills you will gain
Curriculum development, Training facilitation, Public speaking, Communication, Interacting with diverse cultures and life experiences, Empathy-building, Problem-solving, Volunteer recruitment and management, Data collection methodology.
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
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, 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, 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